Two words: Weed control. An evergrowing problem within agriculture, as herbicides develop resistance and federal authorities vacate product registrations.
Corteva Agriscience experienced a “fantastic year” when it came to its Enlist system and Enlist E3 soybeans, says Steve Snyder, Enlist technology scientist for Corteva Agriscience.
“We launched in 2019 (with) limited acres and seed available. But 2020 exceeded our expectations. (We’re) pleased and happy with the results we had. A key reason: All of the Corteva seed brands, as well as 100 licensees are adding Enlist traits to their best germplasms and varieties,” Snyder says.
Corteva Agriscience expects additional soybean varieties to feature Enlist E3 traits in future growing seasons, providing farmers with “another tool in the toolbox.”
Luke Anderson, who farms in North Dakota, appreciates having new chemistries. He admits, “(It) is something we needed.”
“A few years ago, I heard about Enlist E3 soybeans and the idea of a soybean stacked with three herbicide traits. We were at a point where resistant weeds were becoming a problem, and to (hear) there was a reformulated 2, 4-D choline that we could spray on top of our soybeans seemed like a gift that needed to be given to farmers,” Anderson says.
Anderson battled resistant weed species, such as waterhemp and kochia, with limited chemistries. He adds, “These are weeds that never give up,” leaving him scrambling to obtain good control.
“Over the years, we’ve been throwing chemicals at them and it hasn’t worked. So I was excited to try Enlist,” Anderson says. “We go down with a good pre-emerge that has good residual. Then we wait till about canopy and spray one pass of Enlist One with the glyphosate and approved residual tank mix, and never touch them again.”
Anderson describes the Enlist weed control system as time saving, and it “makes you proud to drive past your fields.”
