BASF’s Community Paddock breaks ground in Scaddan, Western Australia
- Initiative expands to Western Australia for the first time and focuses on canola crop
- BASF provides crop protection products and ongoing agronomic support throughout the season to support sustainable farming practices
- Harvest profits will support Scaddan community rebuild bushfire-damaged Country Clubhouse
Scaddan, Western Australia – October 10, 2024 – BASF’s innovative Community Paddock program has expanded into Western Australia for the first time with a canola paddock in Scaddan, 53 kilometres north of Esperance, Western Australia.
BASF and local grower Gavin Egan have teamed up to grow a 80-hectare canola crop. As part of the collaboration, BASF has provided InVigor® canola seeds, crop protection products and continuous agronomic support throughout the season. Harvest profits will be donated to the Scaddan Country Club to help rebuild their clubhouse after the devastating bushfires in 2015.
“Western Australia is the dominant Australian state for canola production, accounting for nearly 50% of the nation’s five-year average production of 4 million tons. We’re excited to bring the Community Paddock project to dedicated canola growers in Scaddan like Gavin,” said Parvana Wali, Head of BASF Agricultural Solutions Australia and New Zealand. “This initiative goes beyond just agriculture; it’s about making a positive impact on the rural communities that sustain us and our economy.”
Gavin says the initiative will help the community flourish. “Since the 2015 fires, the Scaddan Country Club has become the heart of our community and it’s vital we support it. In growing this crop, we’re not just raising funds for a new community clubhouse, we’re ensuring that bowls, golf and other social activities have a place to thrive for years to come,” he said. “The generous support we’ve received from BASF, especially with canola seeds and crop protection products, has been incredible and will help us reach our goal of building a new space where everyone in Scaddan can gather and connect.”
To celebrate the partnership, BASF and the Scaddan Country Club hosted a community paddock walk-through and dinner which was attended by local members and their families. BASF representatives and local growers discussed farming best practice and the best products to tackle the toughest of weeds.
BASF is supporting the Community Paddock with innovative solutions, including top performing canola variety InVigor LR 4540P, seed treatments ILeVO® and Poncho® Plus, insecticide Versys®, herbicide Liberty® and the recently registered fungicide Revystar®. In addition, BASF broadacre and technical specialists also make regular visits to provide agronomic advice, ensure the crops are thriving, and the right products are being used effectively to ensure sustainable farming practices.
Throughout the growing season, local farmers and agronomists will enjoy the opportunities to visit the Community Paddock and witness firsthand the crops’ progress. The program seeks to promote greater knowledge sharing and positively impact the farming region.
More information about BASF’s Community Paddock initiative and its commitment to supporting local communities is foundon our site here.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023,
our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.
About BASF in Australia and New Zealand
BASF serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €441 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. As of the end of 2023, the company had 370 employees and operated 6 production sites across Agricultural Solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for over 100 years, and about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on www.basf.com/au.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
