Key Takeaways
- Bayer has launched the eighth year of The Watch, a farmer-first initiative to help monitor and manage corn rootworm, a pest responsible for $1 billion in annual crop losses.
- The 2025 program offers free resources, including a Corn Rootworm Pressure Starter Kit, scouting tools, and expert advice.
- Proactive monitoring is essential as no in-season rescue treatments exist once rootworm damage is underway.
- Bayer is also launching the #RootwormWatch social media contest for participating farmers.
- SmartStax® PRO and VT4PRO™ with RNAi Technology remain Bayer’s leading corn trait solutions for managing various levels of corn rootworm pressure.
Bayer continues support for corn farmers with The Watch 2025
Bayer (Profile) has announced the 2025 edition of The Watch program, a program dedicated to helping U.S. corn farmers manage the persistent threat of corn rootworm, one of the most damaging pests in corn production. Each year, corn rootworm causes approximately $1 billion in losses across U.S. farms.
The initiative offers free tools and resources to empower farmers to make informed, proactive decisions. According to Safeer Hassan, Bayer technical product lead for corn traits, “Corn rootworm is a yield-robbing pest that attacks at every stage of its life cycle. When root systems are compromised, the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients suffers.”
Hassan added that proactive monitoring is critical, as no effective in-season rescue treatments exist once larvae and beetles are present.
What The Watch offers to farmers in 2025
By joining The Watch, farmers can access expert insights, seasonal updates, and proven scouting methods to better manage corn rootworm. One of the main resources is the free Corn Rootworm Pressure Starter Kit, which includes sticky traps to monitor beetle activity.
The Watch 2025 Program Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Starter Kit | Sticky traps and monitoring tools available through July 7, 2025 |
| Expert Guidance | Timely updates and scouting best practices |
| Real-Time Monitoring | Track beetle activity to inform future treatment decisions |
| Social Media Contest | #RootwormWatch contest with chance to win premium prizes |
| Educational Week | Corn Rootworm Week from June 1-7 to raise awareness |
Safeer Hassan, Bayer technical product lead for corn traits, stated, “It’s critical that we help raise awareness around corn rootworm and empower farmers to act early. The Watch is about equipping farmers with what they need to make informed decisions.”
Product solutions for varying pest pressure levels
Beyond monitoring, Bayer continues to offer trait solutions to address corn rootworm pressure through its Crop Science division. SmartStax® PRO with RNAi Technology delivers enhanced root protection, while VT4PRO™ provides farmers with an option suited for lower-pressure environments and additional pest threats.
“SmartStax® PRO is an industry leader in high-pressure environments, and VT4PRO™ brings versatility to farmers facing a range of challenges,” Bayer noted in the program announcement.
Key dates and participation details
Farmers are encouraged to register early and make use of the free resources and educational content:
- June 1-7, 2025: Corn Rootworm Week
- July 7, 2025: Deadline to request free starter kit
- August 20, 2025: Deadline to enter the #RootwormWatch contest
Registration and full contest details are available at traits.bayer.com/thewatch.
