CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE: THE TERMITE SPECIALISTS

In this feature, we turn the spotlight onto some of the key companies within our industry. In this edition, we look at global agrichemical supplier Corteva.

Eagle-eyed pest managers may have noticed some changes to the recent Sentricon adverts. Sentricon was developed and brought to market by Dow AgroSciences, but on its website the red diamond logo of Dow has been replaced by the blue icon of Corteva Agriscience. So what’s the story?

Corteva Agriscience: Quick Facts

  • Overview: Global research, developer and manufacturer of products for the agricultural sector.
  • Company size: Operational in over 140 countries, with more than 21,000 employees worldwide.
  • Specialisation: Dedicated agricultural company.
  • Notable products: Sentricon AlwaysActive.

In 2015, three giants of industry – The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont and Pioneer Hybrid – announced a merger, to form DowDuPont. It brought together centuries of research, data and specialty products under a single umbrella.

Rather than operate as a single entity, DowDuPont created three spinoff companies, focused on agriculture, materials science and specialty products. Corteva Agriscience is the agriculture company derived from this merger, which officially launched on June 1, 2019. The name Corteva (pronounced kohr-teh-vah) is derived from a combination of words meaning ‘heart’ and ‘nature’ (core relating to the heart; teva being Hebrew for nature). The company brings together DuPont Crop Protection, Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences to create a standalone company that includes pest management within the wider agricultural business.

Focus on sustainability

One of Corteva Agriscience’s values is to ‘be upstanding’, meaning that the company aims to develop products that are better for the environment, effective for their purpose, improve lives and generally make the world a better place. As a four-time Green Chemistry Challenge award winner, Corteva Agriscience has been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US for its groundbreaking scientific solutions with reduced environmental impact – which is more than any other agricultural company.

Corteva Agriscience has already partnered with The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, National 4-H Council and Ducks Unlimited in the US to improve biodiversity in speci c geographies. In Australia, its focus has been more aligned with supporting rural and regional communities. Corteva Agriscience maintains a eet of coolrooms and trailers for use by local communities, sponsors local sporting clubs, regularly volunteers at NSW Foodbank to send aid packages to rural families in need and has donated to Aussie Helpers, Coonamble Raindance and numerous other initiatives during this current drought.

“It’s when times are tough that you show who you really are,” stated Robert Kaan, managing director of Corteva Agriscience ANZ, Japan and South Korea. “Our focus today is to stand by our farmers to see this drought through, in as many ways as we can.”

A single, powerful brand

When it was released in 1997, Sentricon created the termite baiting market. Using wood monitoring stations to lure termites in and the cellulose bait matrix to deliver colony elimination, it provided the industry with a completely different way to manage termites.

With the 2015 launch of Sentricon AlwaysActive, the industry was shaken up once more. The Sentricon system comprises AlwaysActive (in-ground termiticide rods) and Sentricon Above Ground Baits. Sentricon AlwaysActive combines the best of baiting systems and liquid soil treatments, in a unique system that bridges all areas of termite control. From controlling active termites to providing long-term termite protection, covering uses in both pre-construction and post-construction, across all construction types and soil conditions, it really can be used in almost any situation, with no restrictions on its use.

Sentricon AlwaysActive was also awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award for designing greener chemicals. Its status as a ‘green’ product makes it ideal for sensitive locations, such as heritage sites, in specific soil conditions and in wildlife areas.

“It took 17 years of development to bring Sentricon AlwaysActive to the market – no small feat. Today, the Sentricon system is regarded as the ideal option for pest managers needing an e ective and durable solution for termite control,” Mr Kaan said.

“More than 70 independently published articles prove that Sentricon eliminates termite colonies, shown over 20 years of use by pest managers. No other termite management system comes close to this level of proven effectiveness. Similarly, its durability is unparalleled; unless consumed by termites, the rods can remain effective in the stations in the ground for over a decade.”

These benefits, combined with flexibility in monitoring, give Sentricon a real advantage. Along with an exceptional environmental and safety profile, Sentricon has all bases covered.

Developments in the pipeline

Sydney-based business manager Joanne George and senior research scientist Dr Robert Annetts are always busy helping people find solutions
to termite issues in a variety of situations. Most of these can be accommodated by Corteva Agriscience’s current product labels, but each case is reviewed individually.

The use of technology in the pest control industry is increasing at a rapid pace, and Corteva Agriscience welcomes the advancement.

“We are always looking at digital platforms that can be incorporated with our stations to help identify station locations, which on large sites can be challenging. With technology constantly changing and improving, we are hopeful that we can add this feature to the Sentricon system at some stage in the future,” Mr Kaan said.

“We also have some other systems in development that promise to be very exciting for Australian pest managers. We look forward to revealing more within the next year.”

As Corteva Agriscience’s key pest control product, Sentricon will continue to be the focus of communications to pest managers. “Our focus is to solidify the position of Sentricon as being the leading termite management system. We want to ensure that every pest manager knows and understands what Sentricon has to o er, both to them and their customers,” said Mr Kaan.

“For Corteva Agriscience, the most important part of progress is enriching lives. Developing the most effective, reliable systems is one way of doing this and by working with pest managers we can figure out new, innovative ways to better serve them and consumers.”

Business as usual

So what does all this change mean for pest managers? The Dow AgroSciences business model remains unchanged. Products will be purchased via the usual distribution chains as per normal.

“Although there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to align business systems and processes, the business model seen by our customers remains largely the same,” said Mr Kaan. “The only change pest managers will see will be the change of logo to Corteva Agriscience on product labels and associated materials. For Australian pest managers, this primarily means our key brand, Sentricon.

“Sentricon has always been our brand to the pest management industry and will remain the key focus as we move forward.”

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