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What is NutriDense?

BASF Plant Science L.P. is at the forefront in meeting the world’s demand for more and better food, feed and renewable resources. In feed, BASF Plant Science is improving the nutritional value of corn used for feeding livestock through NutriDense®. By enhancing feed efficiency and improving animal nutrition, corn hybrids containing NutriDense can help corn farmers as well as dairy and poultry producers increase the profitability of their operations.

NutriDense Silage

NutriDense Silage is nutritionally enhanced corn silage developed specifically for efficient milk production. University studies show NutriDense Silage provides a four to eight percent improvement in feed efficiency, or converting feed to milk, providing dairy producers with an income over feed cost advantage. The result is lower feed costs and greater profitability for dairy producers. NutriDense Silage yields are equal to or greater than dual purpose and greater than brown midrib, so producers can achieve high-quality corn silage without sacrificing yields.

NutriDense Grain

NutriDense Grain is a nutritionally enhanced corn available in competitive yielding hybrids that provides a lower cost per pound of gain for poultry producers. This provides the animal producer with efficient production and allows the grain grower to share in a portion of that value through a grain premium. By generating nutritionally enhanced corn for livestock, NutriDense Grain improves profitability for both corn farmers and poultry producers—a valuable asset with long-term benefits.

Future of NutriDense

BASF Plant Science is currently developing a genetically modified version of NutriDense traits that will provide greater nutritional benefits along with the potential to reduce the environmental impact. This second-generation NutriDense aims to be the ideal feed featuring increased levels of protein, amino acids and oils for energy as well as more usable phosphorous.

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BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science – a BASF Group company – is one of the world’s leading suppliers of plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, more than 750 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for greater agricultural productivity and healthier food for people and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Our products are marketed in cooperation with leading partners in the seed industry.

The Plant Science goal is to develop sustainable solutions for:

• Superior agricultural productivity
• Better and healthier nutrition

Meeting agricultural challenges with innovative solutions

The modern agricultural industry is being confronted with the tremendous challenge of supplying high-quality food while remaining sustainable and cost-efficient. As the world population grows toward an estimated 9 billion people by 2050, the demand for food and renewable resources continues to increase. Plants that can be used to produce energy are more valuable than ever before, but the amount of available crop land is getting smaller. According to forecasts, agricultural production will have to double in the next 20 years to support the growing global population. To meet this challenge the agricultural industry must continue to provide innovative solutions.

BASF Plant Science provides these innovative solutions by discovering and evaluating genes through our world-class discovery platforms to create value for our partners and, ultimately, farmers.  As technology specialists for gene discovery and integration, we work closely with partners to develop the complex traits they need for superior yield, advanced productivity and better nutrition. Our unique business model allows us specific focus on helping our partners succeed and makes BASF Plant Science: The Trait Technology Partner.

Plant Science in North America

BASF’s activities in the field of plant biotechnology in North America are consolidated in BASF Plant Science L.P. The North American headquarters are located in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Additional BASF Plant Science facilities are located across the Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota) and in Kekaha, Hawaii. Currently there are approximately 300 employees in the United States.

Higher-yielding row crops

Maintaining and increasing crop production is more important than ever.  Through our collaborative partnership with Monsanto Co., BASF Plant Science researchers are discovering genes for maximizing yield in corn, soybean, cotton, canola and wheat.  In addition, our researchers are working collaboratively with Bayer CropScience to identify genes in rice that can increase yields by 10% or more than conventional varieties. Field trail work for both collaborations is currently under way, and we expect the first market-ready crops to be available mid- to late-decade.

Improving the nutritional value of feed corn

We are also working in corn to improve the nutritional value of the grain and silage in feeding livestock. NutriDense^® is our current trait being licensed to seed partners to provide livestock producers with a higher energy feed to improve animal performance and profitability.

Working on oil crops with higher content of omega-3s

Our researchers are enhancing the metabolism of oil crops like canola so plants can produce healthy fatty acids. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish, have been proven to protect against heart disease and stroke.  By incorporating these fatty acids into canola, we can produce a sustainable, higher quality product and make these valuable oils more readily available to the general public.

Herbicide-tolerant soybeans

Cultivance^®, the herbicide-tolerant soybeans jointly developed by BASF and Brazilian agricultural research institution Embrapa, is helping Brazilian soybean growers be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The Cultivance technology provides farmers with a new production system that combats a wide range of weeds more effectively.