In the news
NEWS BITES THAT MATTER
China Approves XTend Soybean trait for 2016
After several false starts, Canadian farmers will finally have access to Roundup Ready 2 XTend soybeans for the 2016 planting season, after the much-sought-after Chinese approval was granted in February, 2016.
Xtend soybeans are resistant to not only glyphosate, but also dicamba. Monsanto received Canadian approval for its Xtendimax dicamba herbicide last year, however, U.S. approvals have not yet been granted.
“We are pleased to bring Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans to the market,” says Brett Begemann, Monsanto’s president and chief operating officer, in a statement. “After a decade of development, the new and elite germplasm in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans can provide growers with outstanding performance in their efforts to produce the best crop possible.”
About 30 soybean varieties suitable for Canadian growing regions are expected to be available for planting this year. Farmers who use the XTend soybean system are also required to use specific nozzles for an Xtendimax application to decrease the risk of drift.
“Managing glyphosate-resistant weeds in soybeans is a growing challenge for many Canadian farmers, particularly in Eastern Canada and they have been looking forward to this important new tool,” says Dan Wright, trait launch lead with Monsanto Canada. “The ability to use dicamba, in addition to glyphosate, provides multiple modes of action on every acre and is important to promote long-term sustainability on the farm.” •
Growing Ontario Initiative Launched
A new group has formed to celebrate the innovation and contribution provided by the agriculture and forestry sectors to the economy of northern and rural Ontario.
The group, Growing Ontario, will increase awareness of the important contributions of forestry and agriculture to the entire province. By highlighting the history of responsible environmental stewardship, commitment to local municipalities, and dedication to innovative solutions that provide sustainable prosperity, Growing Ontario will demonstrate the relevance these sectors have in the lives of Ontarians.
While farmers and foresters are providing sustainable management of our key natural resources, Growing Ontario will become the voice of their concerns and their achievements. The group will honour the best of these industries, raising awareness for the difficulties they face as well as showcasing the true impact they have on the province.
Initiated by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and stakeholders from the forestry sector, Growing Ontario brings together voices that represent the interests of 28,000 grain farmers, 50,000 forestry workers, and over 120 municipalities that rely on thriving resource sectors to survive. It is further supported by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, which represents the interests of rural and northern municipalities.
“In many respects, forestry and agriculture face many of the same pressures and will benefit from working together to raise awareness of our work so that Ontarians have a better understanding of what is actually going on in our forests and fields,” says Mark Brock, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. •
New pre-plant burn-down option available
Ontario’s soybean, cereal, and corn growers have a new multi-mode of action option for pre-plant burn-down with the eastern Canadian approval of BlackHawk herbicide.
A new active, pyraflufen, is a Group 14 herbicide and together with 2,4-D, is available as a new pre-formulated package to be added to glyphosate prior to planting soybean, cereals, or corn.
Available through Nufarm, BlackHawk is a new tool farmers can use in the battle against herbicide resistant weeds, such as fleabane and giant ragweed, says the company.
BlackHawk can be used up to three days after soybean planting. As always, read and follow all label directions. •
New Broadleaf Herbicide for Cereal Crops
Wheat and barley growers in Eastern Canada now have access to Barricade M herbicide for control of tough broadleaf weeds, while managing the threat of herbicide resistance.
DuPont Crop Protection recently announced the registration of Barricade M for control of a wide range of broadleaf weeds in barley, spring wheat, and winter wheat.
Included on the label are tough-to-kill weeds, such as cleavers, chickweed, perennial sow thistle, wild buckwheat, hemp-nettle, and dandelion. Barricade M also provides suppression of Canada thistle.
Barricade M is a multiple mode of action product containing four active ingredients from two herbicide groups, Groups 2 and 4. •
