Stockton recently announced that their company name has changed to STK Bio-Ag Technologies. “Over the past few years, we have been transitioning from generic chemical solutions for crop protection to botanical, biologically-based ones”, says CEO Guy Elitzur. “We realized that we needed a fresh image and branding. Not just the feel and the look, but also the message. It needed to be sharpened to reflect what we are doing and developing.”STK focuses on botanically-based and hybrid crop protection solutions. “One of the messages we thought needed to be emphasized in that we believe that the transition to sustainability must be enhanced using bio-solutions in the crop protection industry. We see that the big multinationa
ls are adopting different biological technologies, whether it is through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or licensing. We see more biological companies being established and they are bringing their own technology into the market. From the other side of the food chain as consumers are increasingly demanding healthier food, the regulations are being changed”, explains Guy.“We think our company fits exactly with these trends and needs”, he says. “One of the reasons for refreshing the brand was so that it reflects the solution we offer to fulfill this specific need. Looking at the needs of the farmer, the needs of the entire food chain, all the way to the needs of the consumers brought us the understanding that it was necessary to change our brand.”
Timorex Gold® and REGEV™ are two of the crop protection solutions that STK Bio-Ag Technologies provides. Guy says in 2017, Timorex Gold® was launched in Brazil, the USA, and China. “These are all huge markets in their own right”, he says “For each one of these markets we have received fantastic feedback in terms of the performance of the product and the integration into the programs. We have started in the fruit and vegetable sector, but we do have plans to expand into other crops. The efficacy is as good as chemical pesticides. This is in addition to other benefits. All-in-all, I think the first year was fantastic in these three markets.”
He continues to say, “What surprised us is that, despite having differences in the crops’ systems and the farmers in each of the three markets, at the end of the day, we are meeting the same needs and playing into the same trends in all three markets. Farmers, everywhere, are looking for new technology that provides better and healthier solutions for their crops. We are pleased to be able to meet these global needs.”
When asked if banana farmers are buying their products to fight the fungal disease, Black Sigatoka, Guy answered, “Yes, definitely. More and more farmers are using our product for Black Sigatoka. There are two reasons for this increased use. One is the desire to use healthier crop protection solutions. The other is that many countries have either banned the use of conventional chemical pesticides or the farmers are prohibited to use them, so farmers there are looking for alternatives. Timorex Gold® biofungicide is one of these solutions.”
Guy explains that REGEV™ is a ‘hybrid’ concept, an easy-to-use ‘pre-mix’ which combines a botanical-based biopesticide with a good chemical pesticide. “It takes a while for people to understand exactly how easily this chemical/biological hybrid fits into their current programme, its high level of efficacy, and the other benefits of resistance management, reduced chemical residues on crops and greater commercial acceptability for export. Part of our campaign is to clarify this. In 2017 we received regulatory approval for this product in six countries. We expect the same this year. We are taking this product beyond the fruit and vegetable sector to other crops, like rice, potatoes, peanuts and more. REGEV™ enables us to reach different farmers in the various crop farming sectors.”Although there are no new developments in M&A that Guy wants to announce, he says that is definitely part of their focus. “We have new products in the pipeline. We are in continuous discussions with farmers and companies and are constantly reviewing different products. Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement in 2018”, he says.
Another branch of protecting the food supply industry that STK is becoming more involved in the aquaculture solution. “There are common issues in both aquaculture and agriculture”, explains Guy. “There are several common issues between the two industries. Firstly, in many countries, there are farmers that are cultivating crops as well as breeding with fish, such as salmon. Secondly, there are similar problems when it comes to growing crops and breeding with fish, such as parasites and fungi. They have the same problem when it comes to finding healthier, biological solutions to reduce chemical loads and the use of chemicals in this process of growing a fish.”
“This is also something that is becoming an issue in the agricultural sector. Looking at the future food consumption trends, fish is going to become a significant food source. We see considerable growth potential for our solutions in the aquaculture sector. The aquaculture regulations are definitely catching up in terms of health and technology. In the next few years we are planning to develop botanical-based products for the aqua sector”, Guy continues.
In 2017, STK Bio-Ag Technologies’ Timorex Gold® received an award for Best In Class for Crop Protection Solutions. “This was a huge honor for us”, says Guy. “This award represents the huge efforts we are putting into our products and technology, and the high level of performance and benefits that Timorex Gold® and the other products are bringing to the market. This award was an important milestone for us.”
Guy has been invited to speak at two important agricultural conferences this year the first, the World Agri-Tech Summit, will be held on 20 and 21 March in San Francisco, USA. The other, the Bio-Ag Innovate Conference is on 25 and 26 April in London.
For more information: stk-ag.com