Soybeans

Overview

• Still a popular and viable choice in some areas
• Most economical trait option
• Waning product lifecycle due to weed resistance

Advantages

• By far the lowest priced trait option – ~$15+ per unit less expensive than other technologies

• Still very effective where resistant weeds are not an issue
• When mixed with residual herbicides, weed resistance can be diminished

Disadvantages

• Glyphosate-resistant weeds render the technology ineffective
• No soil activity, must be mixed with a residual herbicide for lasting performance
• Susceptible to off target movement from dicamba sprayed on nearby crops

Overview

• Moderately priced trait option
• Continues to increase in market share every year
• Good choice for glyphosate resistant weeds

Advantages

• Excellent control of glyphosate resistant weeds, especially Palmer amaranth and waterhemp
• No known weed resistance in corn/soybean growing areas
• Nice herbicide rotation compared to other technologies to help reduce resistance

Disadvantages                                                                                                                                                       

• Herbicide is relatively expensive
• No soil activity, must be mixed w/ residual for lasting control
• Contact only, not systemic
• Requires copious amount of water (20+ gallons per acre)
• Good weather required for effective kill

Overview

• Stacked glufosinate (Liberty^®) and glyphosate
• Moderately priced trait option compared to other technologies

Advantages

• Two modes of action to help reduce weed resistance
• Offers more herbicide flexibility than straight GT or LibertyLink^® soybeans

Disadvantages

• Doesn’t bring anything more to the table than straight LibertyLink^® when dealing with glyphosate resistant weeds
• Still must add a grass killer to kill volunteer corn if corn was LibertyLink^®

Overview

• Newer trait option to help combat glyphosate resistant broadleaves
• Stacked with glyphosate resistance
• Has been rapidly adopted by growers

Advantages

• Good to excellent control of glyphosate resistant broadleaves such as marestail, kochia, Palmer amaranth, and waterhemp
• Not affected by off-target movement of dicamba sprayed on neighboring fields

Disadvantages

• Expensive Seed – $20+ more per unit compared to GT soybeans
• Expensive herbicide program – Only approved branded products can be used, no off-patent products
• Must be mixed with glyphosate and/or other grass herbicides

Disadvantages (continued)

• Herbicide contains same active ingredient as most popular corn herbicides, how long until no longer effective?
• Off target movement is a big concern, future uncertain?

Overview

• 3 way stack of glyphosate, gluphosinate (Liberty^®) and 2,4-D choline
• Most effective weed control options
• Seitec will have numerous varieties and good supply once Chinese approval is received

Advantages

• Clearly a premium weed control product with tolerance to 3 distinct modes of action
• 2,4-D choline appears to have less drift and volatility concerns than Dicamba
• Offers a higher degree of weed resistance mitigation compared to other technologies

Disadvantages

• Price: Both trait and herbicide (Enlist^TM One/Enlist^TM Duo) will command a premium
• Residual herbicides will still be important to use
• Like all other Non-Dicamba traits, Enlist E3^TM will be susceptible to Dicamba injury
• Not yet approved in China