Kemin Crop Technologies – Rooted in science, driven by demand
The global population is estimated to reach 9 billion people by 2050, and food production will need to increase by an estimated 70 percent to meet this global demand. Kemin is dedicated to making sure future populations may have access to a healthy, sustainable food supply, so we’re exploring new frontiers in science to help the agriculture industry be more efficient and effective.
Transforming People and the Planet
With the increase in the world’s population, many farmers are making serious sustainability initiatives for the future. Kemin Industries’ goal is to sustainably transform the quality of life for 80% of the world every day with our products and services, and Kemin Crop Technologies contributes to this vision.
Kemin Crop Technologies products transform lives by providing commercial specialty crop growers with environmentally friendly, sustainable crop protection and soil health technologies solutions, rooted in science and driven by demand. So, whether you grow apples, strawberries, oranges, lettuce, hops, or another specialty crop, our biological pest control solutions can help you reach your sustainability goals.
At Kemin, we believe we can positively impact the agricultural industry with science-backed environmentally friendly products. Read more about how to transform people and the planet in our blog.
AN INNOVATIVE TEAM WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT BACKED BY SOUND SCIENCE
Our Crop Technologies team wants to partner with commercial farmers to bring them state-of-the-art biological pest control, plant health technologies and expert advice. We believe the solutions Kemin Crop Technologies offers can help them overcome agriculture challenges, ensure the growth of healthy plants, help improve the crop productivity, yields and sustainability, while achieving mutually profitable results.
THE KEMIN DIFFERENCE
SUPERIOR INGREDIENTS
To ensure a consistent, high-quality, plant-based ingredient supply, Kemin has developed a vertically integrated supply chain where we control the breeding, plant selection, growing, harvesting and extraction. In our TetraCURB biopesticides, the active ingredient rosemary oil comes from our proprietary line, bred to target specific active molecules. Kemin grows rosemary-certified sustainably grown by SCS Global Services on 1,200 acres of land in the United States. As a result, when compared to other horticultural oils, such as neem or mineral oils, Kemin rosemary oil has a more consistent product profile and application performance.
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
The active ingredient in Valena, our plant health product, is derived from the Kemin proprietary strain of whole dried cell Euglena gracilis algae. At Kemin, we ferment E. gracilis in-house, in a controlled environment, to produce up to 50 percent paramylon, a unique carbohydrate storage molecule made of 1,3-ß-glucan pure linear chains known to elicit plants’ defense responses.
TECHNICAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Our dedicated technical service staff leverages their experience and advanced problem-solving skills to troubleshoot customer issues. We provide important information regarding product performance, efficacy, inclusion rates and market trends. In addition, our technical team is prepared to provide education to our customers and distributors.
EXTENSIVE PIPELINE FOR FUTURE INNOVATIONS
At Kemin, we are inspired by customers, industry needs and relevant scientific findings. When we generate new ideas, they are carefully vetted. We assess alignment with Kemin's expertise, market potential, customer value, speed to market and regulatory requirements. We set product-specifications standards to confirm product efficacy – both in the lab and field. If a product is determined to meet necessary efficacy and cost targets, it is expanded for development and scale-up. Efficacy, customer application, product quality, manufacturing, inventory, registration and marketing are all considered to ensure a successful product launch. Our extensive pipeline crosses the agricultural biologicals market segment, including bioinsecticides, biofungicides, bionematicides, bioherbicides and biostimulants.
PRODUCTS MADE BY GROWERS, FOR GROWERS
We offer a range of commercial products that are safe for workers and effective in helping farmers and growers achieve the farming and crop potential in conventional, transitional and certified-organic production systems.
Advanced Pest Control Solutions
As both a contact miticide and repellent, TetraCURB™ Concentrate and OMRI-Listed® TetraCURB™ Organic offer two-in-one fighting power to eliminate devastating spider mites. The rosemary oil-based biological pest control effectively stave off and kill spider mites on all crops. When used in an Integrated Pest Management program, these rigorously tested solutions help minimize pesticide resistance development without disrupting labor or harvest activities.
Novel Crop Health Technology
Give crops a great start with the best possible soil—add Valena™! Beginning at the seedling stage, our OMRI-Listed® sustainable fertilizer helps increase nutrients uptake efficiency thanks to Kemin's proprietary strain of Euglena gracilis algae, for higher quality, thriving plants and more crop yields.
Including Botanicals in an Integrated Pest Management Program
Botanical oil-based pesticides are effective tools for integrated pest management programs. They minimize grower’s environmental footprint and provide safe conditions for field workers. Botanical products are also efficacious in their pest knockdown and maximize production efficiencies.
“Too often, growers get caught up in the word “organic” and not the other essential characteristics of biological products. Even a conventional grower who applies synthetic chemistries can apply and use botanical-based biologicals. Sometimes growers think biologicals and OMRI listed products do not work as well as synthetic chemistries. They tend to have a reactive approach to problems over a proactive approach. Biologicals tend to be more of a proactive approach and require more awareness of when problems occur. With this knowledge, even conventional growers can add biologicals to their IPM program,” said Michael Hull, Technical Services Manager for Kemin Crop Technologies.
Read more about the opportunities biological crop protection offers growers in the Meister Media Biological Crop Protection and Plant Health Annual Report.
Expert Tips - BLOG
At Kemin Crop Technologies we are focused on solving challenging agricultural problems. We want to understand the problem and then develop solutions that will succeed in diverse growing conditions, changing environmental factors and diverse pest control needs. To do so, we learn new information in the field on the best and safest ways to promote healthy plant and crop growth every day. Then, armed with insights, we can create products, services and strategies that will be successful for growers. And we’re more than happy to share what we’ve learned with you. So, whether you are looking for biopesticide resources or want to learn more about biological pest control, our blog is for you!
We Are Active Across the Industry
To stay at the top of growers’ minds, help advance the commercial agriculture and horticulture industry and learn the latest trends and challenges, we are actively involved in multiple organizations across the United States. Through associations, committee memberships and trade shows; we feel part of the community of growers and industry members dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the industry:
ASSOCIATIONS
- CAPCA: Silver Sustaining Member of the California Association of Pest Controls Advisers
- CTGA: Associate Member of the California Tomato Growers Association
- USA HOPS: Associate Member of The Hop Growers America Association
- FSGA: Bronze Associate Member of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association
- FFVA: Trade Associate Member of The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
- GFVGA: Allied member of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
- NASGA: Associate member of the North America Strawberry Grower Association
- Gulf Citrus Grower Association: Associate member
- Highlands Citrus Grower Association: Associate member
- Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association: Associate member
COMMITTEES
- Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) through the BPIA and its regulatory committee, we have the opportunity to network with the leading biopesticide companies.
- Entomological Society Of America (ESA) — Emily Fuerst, Kemin Crop Technologies R&D Director, has been nominated by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to be a representative to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ad hoc Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). As a representative, she will be able to participate in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) SAP. Learn more about the ESA here: https://www.entsoc.org/.
- The Ir-4 Project - Inter-Regional Research Project #4— The Kemin Crop Technologies Research and Design Team has a great partnership with the Inter-Regional Research Project #4. In the past few years, the IR-4 Project has included Kemin Crop Technologies’ products in University research around the country.
- Farm Service Agency (USDA) County Operations Committee- Richard Jones, our California Sales Manager, was elected into this position to help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Learn more about the Farm Service Agency County Operations Committe
- Coalition for Sensible Pesticide Policy- Our California Sales Manager, Richard Jones, is a member of the California Safe Pesticides Coalition and contributes to the conversation of sustainability within pest control.
- California State University-San Marcos Environmental Leadership Academy- Richard Jones, California Sales Manager, is a part of the Environmental Leadership Academy at California State University San Macros, which hold symposiums, conferences, and other programs that provide California leaders with a balanced knowledge of critical environmental issues.
Member of CCOF
We are a business partner of California Certified Organic Farmers.
We are on Agrian
Find our products on the Agrian website.
TRADE SHOWS AND EVENTS
Learn more about the upcoming events we will attend.
Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographic regions. Product labeling and associated claims may differ based upon regulatory requirements. Consult with your regulatory representative for specific applications and labeling.
