that does is control that adult population for Northern and Western corn rootworm. It reduces the emergence of the beetle by about 99 per cent for both of those rootworm species.” Just as important, the Vorceed Enlist technology also addresses growers’ concerns about waterhemp, with biotypes that are now resistant to seven different modes of action in the U.S. “That is the biggest weed we’re facing as a growing challenge in Ontario,” says Garrod, noting that Canada fleabane has spread across much of Eastern Canada. “But waterhemp is the next target, and what is exciting for us is that we have more traits and more options available today versus the U.S. when they started fighting this weed several years ago.” In terms of availability, the supply of Vorceed Enlist will be limited for spring planting in 2024 in both Pioneer and Brevant brands. By 2025, a broader set of genetic backgrounds and maturities will be more widely available. A SHORT NOTE Short-stature corn hybrids have caught the attention of many in Ontario, and although they will not be available for a few years, the concept is intriguing. Bayer introduced its Preceon hybrids to the U.S. market in 2023, with 300 farmers planting roughly 30,000 acres. It is not a new concept — most of the seed-and-trait companies have been working on short-stature corn for at least a decade. It reduces the space between the nodes below the ear of the plant, making it stronger and reducing lodging. Vermey believes short-stature corn development is in response to the results of breeders chasing higher yields, where their selections for top yield resulted in taller hybrids. Taller plants have a greater competitive advantage over shorter hybrids when they are tested in small plot trials beside each other. Short stature brings the opportunity in a field situation where growers with ideal growing environments have production issues with tall plants (like higher ear placement, lodging and green-snap) or wish to reduce their corn residue. But they are not for everybody; in some conditions of stress or poorer growing environments, ears are closer to the ground and some will be reluctant in harvesting those ears. It will be a system and not something that will work in a variety trial. “Even when we talk about the height of corn plants, a lot of people used to say, ‘If you have a tall plant, you’re going to have more tonnage’,” says Vermey. “But that’s not always the case. Your grain has a lot of weight but sometimes with a taller plant, you won’t have as much grain. There are a lot of other factors like genetics and environment.” l ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 15 NOVEMBER 2023 As with any innovation, farmers, retailers, and agronomists must be mindful of how and when they are used and avoid becoming too reliant on one trait package. LEARN MORE Academy
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQzODE4