It will evaluate the efficacy of BVT’s proprietary Vectorite with CR-7 applied with bee vectoring technology against disease (primarily Anthracnose) under local conditions.
Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. today announced a new R&D trial with Rutgers University’s Agricultural Research and Extension Centre for the 2021 growing season. The Company has also secured its first sales commitments in New Jersey, with two berry growers joining the growing ranks of BVT customers.
The Rutgers trial is being conducted on blueberry crops in four New Jersey locations, and will evaluate the efficacy of BVT’s proprietary Vectorite with CR-7 (Clonostachys rosea CR-7) (CR-7) applied with bee vectoring technology against disease (primarily Anthracnose) under local conditions. Commercially-managed bumblebees and honeybees will be used with BVT’s natural precision agriculture system.
“The Rutgers trial and the grower commitments align with our 2021 commercialization objectives. We have already accelerated penetration in the US Southeast, Midwest, and now Northwest berry markets, with revenues secured, and have also started initial trials in California. We have real momentum going in the US, and anticipate it will keep building in coming seasons”, said Ian Collinson, Sales Manager at Bee Vectoring Technologies.
“When it comes to industry influence, Rutgers is the absolute leader for agriculture in New Jersey. Growers look to and trust them, so this trial with such an authoritative body is a strong first step in our expansion in this important market,” said Everett Hendrixon, Midwest and Eastern US Territory Manager at Bee Vectoring Technologies.
The Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Upper Deerfield (Cumberland County) focuses on work that can be applied to high-quality small fruits, vegetable crops, field crops, trees and ornamentals, with emphasis on crop protection and integrated pest management.
The blueberry blooming period started in mid-April, and the New Jersey growers are already using BVT’s natural precision agriculture system on about 20 of 550 acres under production. Based on common practice and the actions of previous growers trialing the system, the Company expects these growers will add BVT on progressively more acreage in the coming two to three seasons based on positive results and the outcome of the trials with Rutgers.
