20 varieties are available in limited quantities for growers in the 2024 season
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Corteva Agriscience has launched a new line of Pioneer soybeans in time for the 2024 growing season.
Canadian farmers now have limited access to Z-Series Enlist E3 soybeans and the 20 varieties that are part of the lineup for this season, with full commercial availability planned for 2025.
“This is a new class of soybean genetics and is in a class all of its own, delivering more yield than our previous A-Series,” Chad Garrod, eastern seeds portfolio manager with Corteva Agriscience, told Farms.com.
The varieties range in maturity from 00 to 3.2.
Farmers in northern Ontario may choose to grow a 00.5, whereas producers in southern Ontario might choose a 3.2 variety, Garrod said, adding that with 20 varieties available, farmers will be able to find the right variety for their individual operations.
Trials show the Z-Series outperforms Pioneer’s A-Series.
IMPACT trials from across North America determined the Z-Series soybeans yielded 2.7 bushels per acre higher than the A-Series, and a provided a $35 per acre return on investment.
The varieties also have score improvements of 0.5 for SDS and 0.6 for white mould, as well as an increased lodging resistance and more tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.
“These aren’t old genetics with new traits, these are all new genetics,” Garrod said. “I think this is going to create a new standard across the board for soybean production in Canada.”
Another potential benefit of the Z-Series is the flexibility it offers.
Industry research suggests farmers should rotate between varieties with PI 88788 and Peking resistance.
Th new Z-Series supports farmers to implement this rotation, Garrod said.
These soybeans will be available in a limited capacity in 2024. Farmers interested in planting the Z-Series this year are encouraged to contact their local Pioneer rep.
Z-Series soybeans should be fully commercially available in 2025.