As farmers head to their fields this spring to plant soybeans, many are opting for the new XtendFlex varieties from Bayer Crop Science. This season marks the first full-scale commercial use of the technology by farmers in the U.S. and Canada, featuring triple-stacked trait tolerance to dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides. Officials anticipate approximately 20 million acres of XtendFlex soybeans will be planted in North America.
“They’re available in all maturities from group 0 to group 7 this season, making them suitable for a variety of growing conditions,” says Megan McQuoid, soybean traits marketing manager for Bayer. She mentions that the supply plan encompasses all Bayer brands and licensees.
Comparison with Existing Technologies
XtendFlex is the second soybean technology to introduce three-way herbicide tolerance to the market. The first, Enlist E3 soybeans, is entering its second year of commercial use this season and offers tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate.
While both technologies highlight the inclusion of glufosinate (Liberty), there are emerging concerns regarding its effectiveness against resilient broadleaf weeds like Palmer amaranth (pigweed). Research by Tom Barber and Jason Norsworthy, weed scientists from the University of Arkansas, confirmed instances of pigweed resistance to glufosinate in northeastern Arkansas.
Innovative Weed Control Strategies
In response to these challenges, Bayer is enhancing its 2021 Spray Early With Confidence Weed Control program. This initiative includes a 21-day broadleaf weed control strategy commencing with a preemergence/application of XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology, which received a five-year use label from the EPA in 2020. For farmers facing subpar performance on labeled weeds, Bayer will contribute up to $15 an acre toward additional applications.
“We recommend starting with a clean field, applying a pre-emergent at planting, and following up with an early post-emergent herbicide application to ensure overlapping residuals and multiple modes of action,” McQuoid explains. “This approach targets weeds early while preventing seed production.”
Addressing Future Challenges
Bret Begemann, COO of Bayer’s Crop Science division, emphasizes the urgency of developing new technologies to combat herbicide-resistant weeds. The company is forecasted to introduce crops with tolerances to six herbicide classes by 2030.
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, Mississippi farmers and stakeholders may find opportunities in adapting similar innovative agricultural practices to enhance their crop management strategies amidst legislative and regulatory changes in the region.