Selecting Soybean Trait Packages
It’s that time of year again to make your seed selections for the upcoming season. With the various soybean trait packages available, it can be tricky to know which options are best for you and your operation’s goals. To help with your seed decisions, here’s the lowdown on the products we’re offering for next season.
Our front runner in the bean trait package lineup, Enlist E3™ beans, are Enlist™ (2,4-D), Liberty® and Roundup tolerant. This bean has the best flexibility for weed control since 2,4-D and Liberty® have proven themselves to be completely effective against even tall weeds. These new genetics are still in their early years, so the breeding extensiveness is somewhat limited when compared to dicamba beans. However, we feel the proven yields are coming and the market will continue to move toward Enlist E3™ genetics.
This is our second favorite bean package behind Enlist E3™. While the genetics are a bit newer and not as proven as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend®, we love the added flexibility for weed control with Liberty® in addition to Roundup and dicamba. Not only does Liberty® offer another mode of action, but it does not drift or volatilize like dicamba. One thing to note, you cannot tank mix dicamba and Liberty®.
With the extensive research on these traits, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® beans have proven genetics with strong top-end yield. The weed control program is very effective with Roundup and dicamba. However, we all know the risks that come along with dicamba; drifting and volatilization can cause damage to neighboring fields if they are not dicamba-tolerant.
Sometimes referred to as “old faithful”, LibertyLink® genetics are flat-out proven and have good yield potential. Overall, they have a very effective weed control program. However, the timing of post-emergence spraying with Liberty® can be finicky. If you are dealing with tall weeds, a second post-emergence spray is likely.
This trait package offers new technology built on the Roundup Ready® genetic platform. The GT27™ bean can be sprayed with Roundup and HPPD/Group 27 herbicides. Currently, there are no labeled HPPD chemicals on the market for soybeans, however, there is talk that a pre-emergence herbicide is coming. Although it offers fair yield potential, GT27™ does not have the weed control program of Enlist™ or Xtend®; this limited herbicide program can negatively affect overall yield.
A step up from GT27™, this bean offers the flexibility of Liberty® in addition to Roundup and HPPD/Group 27 herbicides. Plus, Roundup and Liberty® can be tank-mixed. With a stronger weed control program, GT27™ LibertyLink® is a better overall bean than GT27™. While this trait package was popular two seasons ago, many growers have since transitioned to an Enlist E3™ bean for improved weed control.
This is popular for those looking to collect a non-GMO premium. This bean is also cheaper than the others on this list. However, what you can spray is limited to older chemistries, so herbicide costs may eat up your seed cost savings. If your field has had limited weed pressure year after year, this could be a
viable option.