Enlist corn will be commercially available in the U.S. for the 2018 growing season. Dow AgroSciences announced the launch Wednesday after the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the import of grain produced from corn containing the Enlist trait.

“We’re very excited to bring the Enlist system to farmers in the U.S. and Canada,” says Tim Hassinger, president and CEO, Dow AgroSciences. “The feedback on the performance during our Stewarded Introduction has been extremely positive, as growers have been very impressed with both the weed control as well as the formulation advancements we have made, reducing the potential for drift and volatility. 

“We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. and China governments under the 100 Day initiative,” he added. “We look forward to continuing to work with China and their regulatory process for additional trait approvals so we can bring farmers new and much needed technology.”

By enabling the use of in-crop applications of Enlist Duo herbicide for effective and economical weed control, the Enlist corn trait helps protect yield. The Enlist corn trait will be available as both SmartStax Enlist and PowerCore Enlist hybrids, offering an industry-leading package of weed control and insect protection. 

Growers can begin ordering Enlist corn from Dow AgroSciences seed companies, including Mycogen Seeds, Brodbeck Seeds, Dairyland Seed, Pfister Seeds, and Prairie Brand Seed, later this summer. Dow AgroSciences also will license the PowerCore Enlist trait technology.

Developed for use with Enlist corn, cotton and soybeans, Enlist Duo herbicide is designed to manage herbicide-resistant and hard-to-control weeds. A highly anticipated and differentiated solution, Enlist Duo herbicide has been optimized for on-target application using proprietary Colex-D technology by Dow AgroSciences. 

Among other benefits, Colex-D technology minimizes the potential for physical drift and provides near-zero volatility. Enlist Duo herbicide is currently registered in 34 states.

Prior to full commercialization, select farmers gained experience with the Enlist system as part of a stewarded introduction of Enlist corn. Iowa farmer Steve Bireline grew Enlist corn and was impressed with how the Enlist system performed on his farm.

“With the Enlist product, you can maximize every acre of farm ground you have and get it into production,” he says. “Enlist Duo really impressed me. With no weed competition, it’s going to let that plant thrive and produce the best yield possible.”

Enlist Soybean Plans

Dow AgroSciences is ready for full commercialization of Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans and Enlist E3 soybeans and is considering options for the 2018 season as it awaits final import approvals from China and the European Union.

In 2017, production of Enlist E3 soybeans and Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans continues as part of the Dow AgroSciences Field Forward program. The program provides growers an opportunity to experience the company’s newest technologies before they are commercially available. Dow AgroSciences manages the seed production throughout the season, including handling and storage after harvest.

Expanded Cottonseed Varieties

The Enlist cotton trait was launched in 2016 in PhytoGen brand cottonseed varieties. This year, more farmers are experiencing Enlist cotton as well as the weed control of Enlist Duo with an increased number of varieties containing the Enlist trait in the PhytoGen line-up. These varieties range from very early to mid-maturities and are also stacked with WideStrike 3 Insect Protection (W3FE). 

Farmers from across the Cotton Belt who planted PhytoGen W3FE varieties are now seeing the benefits of Enlist Duo herbicide and continue to report outstanding results with the system. Given strong grower demand, PhytoGen anticipates that its W3FE portfolio will continue to grow in the 2018 season.

To learn more about the Enlist weed control system, visit Enlist.com, follow us on Twitter at @EnlistOnline or go to our YouTube channel.