The number of tools growers have to fight weed resistance in Indiana is growing. One of the new innovations to improve weed control was developed in the Hoosier State. Dow AgroSciences will take another step in moving their Enlist product from the lab to the farm. Damon Palmer, with Dow, says 2013 will see a major demonstration of the new system here in the Midwest, “And just in time because weed resistance is becoming a serious issue in Indiana and other Eastern Corn Belt states.” The company continues to execute on its launch strategy as it awaits final regulatory approvals for the Enlist system, its highly anticipated herbicide-tolerant trait technology. Dow AgroSciences now expects the first sale of Enlist later in 2013 for planting in the 2014 crop year.
Dow AgroSciences’ 2013 Enlist™ activities will center on three key areas: education, experience, and production ramp up. The company will launch 5 technology centers as well as hundreds of demonstration plots. The technology centers will be where Enlist and the Enlist 360 learning series are planned for the Midwest and the South. Growers, retailers, and seed sellers can take part in interactive, field-based training designed to familiarize them with all aspects of the Enlist™ technology, from product performance, to application and best management practices. In addition, Dow AgroSciences intends to offer more than 100 small Enlist plots at seed company and retailer locations across the Corn Belt. Additionally, plans are underway to allow evaluation of the Enlist system on-farm, providing farmers an opportunity to manage the technology and observe control of tough weed species on their farm. Palmer explained to HAT that, Enlist is not just a new product, but a new system of weed control, “The Enlist system will bring in a new seed trait that will provide resistance to a new 24D product, and a new herbicide Enlist Duo.”
“We have conducted field research trials over the past several years evaluating the Enlist Weed Control System concepts on our most problematic weed species such as glyphosate-resistant waterhemp and horseweed (also known as marestail),” says Bryan Young, Ph.D., professor, Southern Illinois University. “The approach of combining multiple herbicide modes of action, a sound residual herbicide at planting, and effective herbicide mixtures for in-season postemergence applications has proven to be quite effective.”
“The need for technology like Enlist is now,” says Doug Morrow, Indiana grower and former president, Indiana Soybean Alliance. “Our inability to control weeds is putting some operations at risk, and impacts what agriculture is able to produce. This technology is worth the wait, but we need it as soon as we can get it.”
“Dow AgroSciences stands ready to help farmers meet the weed control challenges they’re facing,” says Palmer, U.S. commercial leader, Enlist Weed Control System. “We are committed to introducing this technology responsibly and sustaining it for the long term.” AgroSciences plans to ramp up seed production and its supply of Enlist Duo™ herbicide with Colex-D™ Technology to support the anticipated launch. The company expects all approvals will be in place for sale in late 2013, and will be ready for a robust ramp up of Enlist corn in a broad geography and hybrid portfolio for 2014.
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