2016 Deltapine® NPE Program Features Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton Varieties Resistant To Root-Knot Nematodes

Apr 15, 2016

The Deltapine® New Product Evaluator (NPE) Program is kicking off its ninth season this spring with nearly 200 growers in the program evaluating seven new Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton variety candidates for the Class of 17. Three of those varieties also offer resistance to root-knot nematodes (RKN).

“Each new class of Deltapine cotton varieties has resulted in improved yield potential, better fiber quality and agronomic solutions for growers all across the Cotton Belt,” said Keylon Gholston, Deltapine cotton product manager. “From what we’ve seen so far, the variety candidates being evaluated for the Deltapine Class of 17 will continue this trend.”

All seven lines being evaluated by NPE growers this season are Bollgard II XtendFlex varieties. Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton, part of the Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System, is tolerant to three different modes of action—dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate. In 2016, growers are able to use Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate only and Liberty® herbicide (glufosinate), while over-the-top use of dicamba is still pending regulatory approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. However, even without dicamba, growers will continue to maximize their yield opportunity with other herbicides through the weed management recommendations and incentives provided by Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management Solutions.

While no pre-plant or in-crop use of dicamba is currently approved, some dicamba products may be labeled for weed control prior to planting a crop and subject to minimum plant back restrictions specified on product labels. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any herbicide inconsistent with its labeling, and specifically to make an in-crop application of any dicamba herbicide product on Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans or Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton unless the product labeling specifically authorizes the use.

Included in the lineup of variety candidates are initial crosses of new, elite germplasm getting their first-ever test on commercial farms. In previous seasons of breeding and company testing, these lines demonstrated outstanding performance in yield and fiber quality. The variety candidates range from early-season to full-season in maturity and target multiple growing regions from the Southwest to the Carolinas.

Continuing its efforts to bring solutions for healthy cotton to the market, the Deltapine brand is evaluating three Bollgard II XtendFlex NR (nematode resistance) lines—lines that are resistant to RKN. Deltapine currently has two commercial NR varieties in its portfolio that offer outstanding yield potential in both RKN and non-RKN environments. The three new lines being evaluated offer the same protection against RKN but with higher yield potential and the latest weed control technology available.

Only the variety candidates proven to perform by the NPE growers in 2016 will be named for the Deltapine Class of 17. No industry program has resulted in a more rapid adoption of top-performing cotton varieties in the last decade than the Deltapine NPE Program. Today, NPE-proven varieties are planted on more U.S. cotton acres than any other seed brand. Not only has Deltapine raised the bar for yield potential, the fiber quality in new Deltapine varieties has also greatly improved.

“The status of ‘NPE-proven’ carries weight with growers who are not involved in the NPE Program, as evidenced by many non-NPE growers now planting large portions of their acreage to new Deltapine varieties, and the rapid adoption of Bollgard II® XtendFlex® varieties in their first year on the market,” said Gholston. “Many have either talked with an NPE grower or have heard about an NPE grower’s experience with variety candidates from their gin, seed dealer or neighbor. Those conversations have resulted in more and more growers turning to Deltapine varieties to maximize production.”

Click here to see more...

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.