Bayer Crop Science's Temik insecticide turns 35 in the United States this year, and still holds the number one spot in U.S. insecticide sales. Cotton growers account for 65% of Temik use in the U.S., mainly because of its broad spectrum insect control and its yield enhancing properties.
Chris Kleyla, Temik product manager, Raleigh, NC, says much of the longevity of the chemical is due to the stewardship efforts of growers who use and appreciate it. "The active ingredient of Temik is actually one of the most toxic of available agricultural treatments, but because of the care with which our growers use the material we've been able to maintain registration," he explains. "This shows what good stewardship can do."
Currently Bayer is in the beginning of what promises to be a long, expensive re-registration process for Temik with the Environmental Protection Agency, but product manager Andy Hurst, a Bayer representative in the South, says "Bayer is very committed to this product, despite its age and expense," because there is nothing on competitor's shelves that rival it.
Bayer's Bruno Flodrops, portfolio manager of soil insecticides and nematicides in Europe, says the story is the same on the other side of the Atlantic. "Temik continues to be a very important chemical for us. It's ninth in total sales world wide."