Along with event chairperson Todd Hames and Alberta ag minster RJ Sigurdson, Bayer Crop Science Canada’s new country divison head Antoine Bernet helped open the 2024 CrossRoads Conference tonight in Calgary.
Bernet now leads a team of over 550 employees across various offices, research facilities, and production sites nationwide. He also holds a pivotal role as a member of Bayer’s North American Leadership Team for Crop Science.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Bernet acknowledged the stellar reputation of the Canadian crop science business within Bayer and the broader industry. Relocating to Canada to lead the organization represents a significant personal and professional opportunity for him. Bernet is eager to elevate the organization’s sustainable and innovative farming products and practices, leveraging his global experience in tandem with the local team’s deep expertise and commitment to Canadian growers.
With a career spanning over two decades at Bayer, Bernet initially joined the Crop Science division in 2005. His recent role as the Crop Science country division head for Poland, Baltics, Czech Republic, and Slovakia showcased his leadership in driving growth and implementing transformative initiatives. In Canada, he plans to adopt a visionary approach, focusing on both the team and customers to continue the transformative growth initiated by his predecessor.
Bernet’s vision for the upcoming year involves balancing attention to both people and customers. He emphasized the team’s high engagement and commitment to providing optimal solutions for customers to grow more while enhancing their sustainable practices.
“With a range of innovations, including seed and trait technologies, crop protection, and digital farming, we aims to benefit Albertan and Canadian growers within the unique climate and diverse landscape,” he said.
Bernet takes over the reins from Al Driver, who retired from Bayer at the end of 2023. Driver’s longstanding career with Bayer since 1985 saw him in various senior leadership positions, contributing significantly to the growth of the Canadian business and leading the country to be the first globally to complete commercial integration.
