Key Takeaways
- Bayer CEO Bill Anderson told shareholders at the Annual Stockholders' Meeting that the Crop Science turnaround is progressing but not yet complete, with the division executing its performance improvement plan.
- Monsanto proposed a $7.25 billion U.S. nationwide class settlement for Roundup™ litigation, receiving preliminary court approval in March 2026 with a final hearing set for July 9.
- Bayer Crop Science reported full-year 2025 sales of 21.6 billion euros, up 1.1% on a currency-adjusted basis, with corn seed and traits rising 13.2%.
- The insecticide Plenexos™, launched in Colombia in late 2025, is expected to receive Brazilian registration later in 2026.
- Bayer has committed C$45 million+ to a Canola Innovation Centre in Winnipeg and launched newgold® seed, Sivanto® Energy, and EverGol Rise.
Bayer CEO Outlines Crop Science Turnaround at Annual Meeting
Bayer CEO Bill Anderson told shareholders at the company's virtual Annual Stockholders' Meeting that the Crop Science division is executing its performance improvement plan as part of a broader two-year turnaround. For Crop Science, the priority for 2026 remains improving cash generation and strengthening operational foundations, with major innovations planned from 2027 onwards.
Bayer Crop Science reported full-year 2025 sales of 21.6 billion euros, up 1.1% on a currency-adjusted basis. Corn Seed and Traits rose 13.2%, fueled by strong global performance and a licensing resolution with Corteva. Soybean and cotton seed sales declined significantly following the vacatur of the dicamba-based label in the U.S. The division is targeting 2 billion euros in savings through its Dynamic Shared Ownership model.
Monsanto Advances $7.25 Billion Roundup Settlement
In February 2026, Monsanto proposed a U.S. nationwide class settlement to resolve Roundup™ Non-Hodgkin lymphoma claims, structured as declining capped annual payments over up to 21 years totaling up to $7.25 billion. A Missouri circuit court granted preliminary approval in early March, with a final fairness hearing set for July 9, 2026. The U.S. Supreme Court's review of the Durnell case, with oral arguments scheduled, represents a parallel milestone Anderson described as critical for American farmers.
Bayer Reshapes Crop Protection Portfolio Around Higher-Margin Products
Bayer is reshaping its crop protection portfolio around higher-margin, more innovative products. Plenexos™, launched in Colombia in late 2025, uses small quantities to effectively protect against pests and is expected to receive Brazilian registration in 2026. The U.S. EPA also approved a new federal registration for Bayer's low-volatility dicamba herbicides in 34 states under the Stryax brand. New launches include Sivanto® Energy for canola flea beetle control and EverGol Rise pulse seed treatment for the 2026 season.
Bayer Deepens Canadian Agriculture Investment
Canada is a focal point of Bayer's Crop Science strategy. The Advancing Better Canola initiative, launched March 2026, is anchored by a C$45 million-plus Canola Innovation Centre at SMARTpark in Winnipeg, targeting root biology, climate resilience, and crop efficiency with operations expected by end of 2028. Bayer Canada also introduced newgold® seed in February 2026, targeting low-carbon intensity camelina and winter canola for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel markets, building on its January 2025 acquisition of Smart Earth Camelina Corp. assets.
Bayer and John Deere Enable Wireless FieldView™ Integration
Bayer and John Deere introduced wireless transfer of FieldView™ prescriptions to John Deere Operations Center™, eliminating manual file transfers. Farmers can now create prescriptions in FieldView and export them directly as Work Plans in Operations Center, initially for Preceon Ground Breakers participants with broader U.S. rollout expected.
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