Bayer promises ‘first‑to‑the‑farm’ innovation as shareholders push back

At Bayer’s 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, shareholder frustration centered on the ongoing fallout from the Monsanto acquisition and US glyphosate litigation, prompting CEO Bill Anderson to emphasize operational improvements and a shift toward precision crop protection technologies. The company announced a five-year plan for its Crop Science division focused on tighter margins, portfolio rationalization, and innovation, with new products like Plenexos and PRECEON™ short corn positioned as future growth drivers. Anderson highlighted that litigation risk is constraining industry innovation and called for regulatory certainty, while shareholders approved a minimum dividend to prioritize debt reduction and self-funded R&D. Bayer is betting on a leaner, more innovative Crop Science division to restore growth once legal uncertainties subside.