Farmers can purchase Enlist soybeans and Qrome corn in 2019
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
U.S. producers will have access to at least two more seed options when the growing season arrives.
Yesterday, Corteva Agriscience, DowDuPont’s ag division, announced it is commercially launching the Enlist E3 soybean technology, and expanding its launch of Qrome corn hybrids across the Corn Belt.
The Enlist soybean trait provides tolerance to new 2,4-D choline in Enlist Duo and One herbicides, as well as glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides, Corteva says.
“Additional tolerance to glufosinate means (growers) can utilize three post-emerge herbicide modes of action in Enlist E3 soybean fields,” the organization said in a statement.
Corteva reps are excited about the crop protection traits associated with Enlist E3.
"I am excited to announce one of the largest soybean technology system launches ever,” James Collins, CEO of Corteva Agriscience, said in the statement.
More farmers will also have access to the Qrome corn hybrid.
Some growers used the hybrid in limited capacities in 2017 and 2018. In 2018 on-farm trials, Qrome hybrids had an average 10.2-bushel-per-acre advantage over “all competitive brands tested,” the company said in its release.
“Qrome hybrids have earned the trust of American producer for consistent performance and have produced high yields by combining top-tier genetics, strong defensive traits and advanced seed treatments,” Collins said in the statement.
The Enlist and Qrome products are part of more than 20 new technologies Corteva plans to release by 2021.
Notably, China included Enlist soybeans in its recent approval of a total of five GM crops.
Having new seed options is important to growers.
"I'm always looking to move forward with new technology," Jamie Beyer, a soybean grower from Wheaton, Minn., told Farms.com. "We have to adjust weed pressures, yield pressure and growing conditions in real time as they present themselves.
"So, having a new seed variety, with multiple modes of action, really gives farmers an unprecedented amount of flexibility."