Elzandi Oosthuizen’s Post

Biofortified crops like provitamin A maize can have a critical impact when it comes to addressing vitamin A deficiency among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, a new study shows. The findings reveal not only the prevalence of this nutritional challenge but also the potential of enhanced agronomic practices to boost nutritional yields. #Maize #SustainableAgriculture #SmallholderFarmers

On the plane heading back to St Louis the other week I had a chance to reflect on the Women in Agriculture event I attended at the Bayer Huxley Facility. We had the privilege to learn from Lindsey Fenneley and how her personal journey shaped and matured her own view on mental health. As I reflected on her honesty, candour and vulnerability, I could not help but come to a stand-still. I myself have dealt with significant challenges in my personal life and now as I’m reaching a turning point like Lindsey I know and recognize the following: - Denial does not help anyone and it certainly does not resolve the problem - Every person owes it to themselves and the people around them to acknowledge the issues, take responsibility and seek professional help - You cannot change people, you cannot control other people's choices, but you can support, influence and advise. - Lastly, take the time to recognise the people and things that bring out the worst in you and find ways to avoid those negative energies Nothing great in life comes easy or without sacrifice. Don’t let society tell you HOW to do it, decide WHAT you want from life and go out and make it happen! If you set your mind to it, ANYTHING is possible! #WomenInAgriculture #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection

Understanding the growth stages of corn isn’t just an academic exercise- it’s essential knowledge for effective crop management. As we navigate the complexities of early-season corn management, staying informed and observant is key. Agronomists like Mark Licht and Justin McMechan here stress the importance of accurately staging corn growth, especially for critical tasks like assessing hail damage. #Corn #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity

I had a great session at the NA Top Producer Women Summit last week. It was amazing to see how many farmer’s daughters are actively involved in the farming operation. A wide range of experience and qualifications flow back into the Agricultural industry as these young ladies find their paths back to the farms after college graduation. It brings a fresh modern approach to every aspect of these large operations. I shared the stage with my two colleagues Jennifer Crall and Brandon Rinkenberger, walking the group of women through the external landscape, what is happening on consumer and regulatory fronts and how farmers can ensure their voices are heard. We explained how we at Bayer approach solving these challenges society and farmers face by applying our R&D expertise and delivering leading solutions supported by an industry-leading digital platform. Thank you to the attendees for their time, their business and their partnership! #TeamBayer #SustainableAgriculture #Innovation

It's been a busy few weeks, but incredibly rewarding! In between meetings, I got to attend the "Future Horizons in Agriculture" session at this year's #ICS, which was a particularly enlightening discussion. It was great hearing from Jess Christiansen, who covered the significant topic of #RegenerativeAgriculture, and how Preceon and a holistic crop rotation approach can benefit farmers. 🌾 This event was a fantastic opportunity to bring both external and internal audiences (beyond just R&D and strategy) up to speed on the latest developments in regenerative agriculture. At ICS, we focus on sharing knowledge, showcasing our progress, and fostering meaningful conversations to strengthen our community. Inviting external stakeholders to discuss our work, our strategy, and our short-, mid-, and long-term goals is a crucial part of this process. #SustainableAgriculture #TeamBayer #Sustainability

I travelled to Chicago recently where I had the pleasure of meeting with journalists from North America, LATAM and the EU to discuss Bayer's groundbreaking Preceon Smart Corn System and how it is transforming corn production. 🌽✨ The Preceon Smart Corn System, powered by high-performing short-stature corn hybrids and the digital insights enabled through Fieldview, is set to revolutionise the corn cropping system. This innovative approach offers numerous benefits for farmers, including: 🌱 Enhanced standability during severe wind events 🌱 Improved field access all season long 🌱 Increased yield potential At Bayer envision regenerative agriculture systems that contribute to the "Farm of the Future" in the USA. Integrating technologies like Preceon, CoverCress, and Bayer's Next Gen Soy System with HT4 and HT5 will be crucial in achieving improved grower profitability, better environmental outcomes, and stronger downstream chain partnerships. Overall, it was an incredible opportunity to share the innovative solutions Bayer is bringing to the table for the future of agriculture, alongside my colleagues Scott Stein, Kacy Perry, Mark Kidnie, and Thomas Eickhoff. Excited to see how these advancements will shape the industry and support farmers worldwide! You can read our official press release here: https://bit.ly/3VN5nWs #Agriculture #Innovation #TeamBayer

Good news for U.S. corn and soybean crops!🌽 According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest assessment, 75% of corn and 72% of soybeans are rated good or excellent, aligning with expectations and surpassing the 10-year averages. Historically, years with such robust initial conditions have often led to favourable harvest outcomes, with final yields typically exceeding USDA baselines. While high initial ratings don't guarantee record yields, they do set a positive tone for the season ahead, contingent upon favourable weather conditions of course. Monitoring factors like heat, dry spells and potential weather extremes will be crucial moving forward. #Corn #Soybean #Agriculture

Digital farming is not just about precision agriculture but also about optimising resource use, minimising environmental impact, and fostering greater farm productivity.🌿 This is one of the areas of discussion we will be exploring in our Crop Science event today where #TeamBayer experts will be diving into our latest R&D innovations and sustainable practices.🌍 We'll be sharing how Bayer is harnessing AI to revolutionise crop protection; developing cutting-edge seed designs to boost yields and combat climate change head-on; exploring the potential of biological solutions in crop protection as a partial alternative to synthetic fertiliser; and helping farmers with digitised, environmentally friendly modes of action. As you can see, there is lots of exciting stuff to dig into. You can join via this link: https://bit.ly/3yZorIh Hope to see you there! #CSInnovationUpdate #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgInnovation

🌈Pride Month is so many things; it’s a feeling, a movement, a poignant reminder of the progress we’ve made and the journey still ahead. For me, #BayerPride means empowerment- the power to be unapologetically oneself, to stand tall in the face of adversity and to champion diversity and inclusion at every turn. I’m proud to be part of a company where pride isn’t just a checkbox on our diversity agenda; it’s woven into the fabric of our culture. It’s about fostering and environment where everyone- regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race or background- feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work each day. As we commemorate #PrideMonth, let’s continue to challenge stereotypes and advocate for a world where love is love, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.🏳️🌈❤️