Beck’s Introduces NEMASECT™ Nematicide and Insecticide in their Escalate™ Seed Treatment

Atlanta, Indiana, June 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlanta, Indiana – Beck’s introduces NEMASECT™, a revolutionary nematicide and insecticide that will come standard as part of their Escalate™ seed treatment on corn and soybeans at no additional charge. With multiple modes of action against all nematode species and activity on many soil-dwelling insects, NEMASECT is a powerful tool to protect yield in corn and soybeans.  

As a broad-spectrum nematicide, NEMASECT kills nematodes within 24 to 48 hours and impacts nematode populations up to 60 days. NEMASECT has a multi-site mode of action against eggs and juveniles that can lower the risk of developing resistance. In addition, NEMASECT provides dual modes of activity on soil-dwelling insects such as corn rootworm, seed corn maggot, grubs, and wireworms. 

“Nematodes are undetectable by the human eye, which makes it easy to underestimate the damage they can cause to a corn or soybean plant,” said Scott Beck, president of Beck’s. “What makes NEMASECT truly different is that it’s not just a nematicide, it also has activity on many soil-dwelling insects. By adding NEMASECT to our Escalate seed treatment, farmers will have the best possible protection for their seed at no additional charge.”

NEMASECT has delivered consistent yield protection in field trials across the United States over two years of testing. NEMASECT delivered an additional yield protection advantage of 12.2 Bu./A. in corn and 3.5 Bu./A. in soybeans versus the competitive standard.*

For years, nematodes have been going undetected, silently robbing yields. Dr. Gregory Tylka, a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State University, says time is of the essence when dealing with nematodes. “Nematode damage and yield loss can be occurring in your fields without being recognized. Identifying damaging infestations sooner rather than later will prevent nematode numbers from reaching very high levels, where potential for yield loss is greater.”

Nematodes cause damage similar to other issues such as diseases, drought stress and fertility deficiency. Recent studies have shown more than 80 percent of all corn acres sampled in the U.S. Corn Belt had parasitic nematodes.** In soybeans, soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) are the number one cause of yield loss and can reduce yields by as much as 30 percent. Not only does SCN cause stunting, yellowing, early death, reduced nodulation, and lower yields, it can serve as an entry point for other diseases.

Because nematodes attack the roots, Beck says “NEMASECT will enhance the corn and soybean plants root system, increase standability, and ultimately improve yield. Farmers can go to the field confident that their seed is fully protected against the toughest insects, nematodes and diseases.”

Beck’s introduced their Escalate yield enhancement system in 2009, which comes standard on every unit of Beck’s seed at no additional charge. Escalate’s corn seed treatment not only includes NEMASECT, but also Poncho®/VOTiVO® 2.0, five fungicides, and two additional biologicals. Additionally, farmers have the ability on soybeans to upgrade to Escalate SDS, which contains ILeVO® for added protection against sudden death syndrome. 

“Adding NEMASECT to our Escalate yield enhancement system is a game changer,” Beck said. “Over the years, Escalate has shown consistent yield advantages in corn and soybeans through multi-year and multi-location Practical Farm Research studies. We’re not only excited to bring farmers the added defense against nematodes and insects, but the additional yield protection it will provide.” 

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About Beck’s Beck’s is a family-owned and operated seed company that serves farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin. According to a recent seed industry survey, Beck’s ranks as the fifth largest seed company in the United States and the only one in the top five that is family-owned, making Beck’s the largest retail, family-owned seed company in the United States. To learn more about Beck’s, please visit www.beckshybrids.com. Follow Beck’s Hybrids on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BecksHybrids, like Beck’s Hybrids on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BecksHybrids, or visit the Beck’s Blog at www.beckshybrids.com/blog.

*Corn results from two-year field trials at 50 locations (2016 and 2017) vs. competitive standard. Corn trials conducted in nematode infested fields in NE, MN, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH and AL. Individual results will vary based on nematode pressure in each field. Soybean results from two-year field trials at 124 locations (2016 and 2017) vs. competitive standard. Soybean trials conducted in nematode infested fields in IN, IL, IA, OH, WI, MN, NE, KY, VA, NC, GA, AL, LA, MS, AR. Individual results will vary based on nematode pressure in each field.

**AgriThority; 2016 nematode sampling study conducted in the U.S. Corn Belt
Poncho®, VOTiVO® and ILeVO® are registered trademarks of Bayer. Escalate™ and NEMASECT™ are trademarks of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.