Having choices is key in the fight against weeds

As the competition against weeds intensifies, growers have more choices than ever before and it’s critical they choose the trait system best tailored for their field conditions. Growers are quickly losing efficacy on both Palmer amaranth and waterhemp due to growing resistance, and utilizing the right soybean trait can help manage those weeds.

“At the start of the season, growers want to know the most efficient and effective ways to reduce the amount of weed seeds they have in their field to protect their yield,” said Bill Backhaus, BASF Seed Agronomist. “There are a lot of choices out there and starting off by selecting a trait platform to fit your herbicide program, followed by a strong PRE, will help extend the residual control of weeds such as waterhemp.”

Research by Stratus Ag shows nearly 75% of farmers in the US are experiencing glyphosate-resistant weeds in their fields. Backhaus believes growers need multiple modes of action to help combat resistant weeds. LibertyLink® GT27™ is the first soybean technology with herbicide tolerance to both Liberty® herbicide and glyphosate, and pending EPA approval, Alite™ 27 herbicide, the first HPPD-based herbicide for soybeans. By adding Alite 27 herbicide to preemergence programs, growers will have the ability to apply up to five modes of action and on average, will be 83 times less likely to develop resistance to troublesome weeds. 1

“We want to control our weed-seed bank and keep it down for the future generations of farming,” said Backhaus. “When it comes to deciding on a herbicide program, it comes down to the grower’s choice and what technology they are most comfortable using on their farm. Working with your local retailer can help you decide what system is best for your operation.”

To select the best bean system that fits your operation, look at the weeds you have and work with your local BASF representative to discover what system will allow you to control those weeds best. One option is Credenz® LibertyLink GT27. Credenz offers precise varieties bred to withstand local pest and disease pressures. For the 2020 growing season, growers can find 36 Credenz LibertyLink GT27 varieties ranging from 0.1 to 4.6 relative maturity. With the help of your local BASF experts, growers can find a variety that will fit their needs and deliver better performance.

As a soybean grower, you have a lot of choices to make. What seed are you going to plant? How will you manage your weeds? But starting this year with a clean field followed by a preemergence and a timely postemergence application will help you best manage weeds. Consulting local, trusted BASF advisors is also critical for soybean growers to overcome and learn from last year’s challenges.

1 Evans, JA. Tranel, PJ. Hager, AG, et al. Managing the evolution of herbicide resistance. Pest Manag Sci. 2015; 72: 74­–80.

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Credenz, Liberty and LibertyLink are registered trademarks and Alite 27 is a trademark of BASF. GT27 is a trademark of MS Technologies and BASF. MS Technologies is a trademark of MS Technologies, LLC. © 2019 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.