As growers prepare for planting their crop this spring, many are recalling the challenges of 2005 -- season-long droughts in some states to extra moisture from an overly active hurricane season in other areas.  Flexible crop management proved to be one of the keys to success for many growers, particularly when it came to controlling weeds in uncertain conditions. 

“Weed control goes hand-in-hand with time management,” says Dave Regehr, Kansas State University agronomy professor and extension weed specialist.  “Most herbicides are time sensitive, which often leaves the grower questioning the optimal application timing.  They need tools that help them make the best input decisions for the conditions they are facing at the time.”

Corn hybrids with the new Agrisure™ traits—introduced in 2005—provided growers with that flexibility.  Placed in elite genetics, Agrisure corn traits and their accompanying AgriEdge™ programs provided the crop input flexibility that many growers needed to make a good crop in tough conditions.

Agrisure traits come with a full range of assurances – regardless of the glyphosate brand used. Plus, all hybrids that contain Agrisure traits are eligible for AgriEdge corn programs, which combine flexible weed management programs with additional risk management benefits.  They include product refunds for Syngenta-branded seed treatments, insecticides and herbicides if the crop must be replanted or is lost due to catastrophic weather conditions (see program for details).

“AgriEdge corn provides growers with support for uncontrollable situations, like so many growers went through this past season, so they can show their hard work in the bin and not just in the fields,” says Rex Wichert, Agribusiness Marketing Manager, Corn, Syngenta Seeds. “In addition, growers only pay for the glyphosate-tolerant trait in the seed if they use it, which opens up a new world of weed control options.”

That flexibility was the reason Munden, Kansas grower Paul Spichal (photo) chose to plant corn hybrids with Agrisure GT.   “I liked the flexibility to be able to apply Lexar® herbicide preemergence and follow with an in-crop application of glyphosate in fields only if a second pass was necessary.  It’s really important to me to spray a residual, pre-emergence herbicide so I can avoid planting delays and start off with a clean field.”

For growers such as Larry Kenuth, from Grand Island, Nebr., a one-pass weed control program is something he never thought he would have with glyphosate-tolerant corn.  With Agrisure, not only does he get reimbursed for the trait technology that he doesn’t need, but he also is backed by a weed control cost assurance that covers him in case there are weed escapes later in the season.

“Last year we used Lexar, one-pass pre-plant, on all of our glyphosate-tolerant corn,” Kenuth says.  “It rained right after the application, but the Lexar still held the weeds back.  I was also really impressed how well the NK® Brand of Agrisure GT corn yielded in such a dry season as we had in 2005.” 

Regehr agrees that the weed management flexibility provide by Agrisure traits and programs such as AgriEdge are a key ingredient to a successful crop.

“LUMAX® and Lexar usually do a good job of controlling small-seeded grass weeds and the main broadleaf weeds in corn,” Regehr says.   “It's great for growers to have a one-pass pre-emergence treatment if it gets properly activated, because you get excellent control from the very start, with no loss due to early weed competition.  Growers also benefit from the peace of mind in knowing that they can switch to a postemergence treatment if they get delayed due to weather problems and other factors.”

For growers who prefer a planned two-pass weed control program, Agrisure traits and AgriEdge provided an effective weed management solution and peace of mind in knowing that their crop was protected all season.  Brian Haugen, who grows corn near Zumborta, Minn., applied a reduced rate of LUMAX herbicide followed by an application of Touchdown Total® in-season to an Agrisure GT hybrid and received a technology reinvestment rebate.

“This market has definitely moved towards glyphosate-tolerant corn because it’s easier to manage,” Haugen says.  “With Agrisure traits on the market, we have competitive pricing and more options.  And the programs allow me to go with my preferred weed management system, which is a preemergence followed by a post.”

While growers cannot predict what the coming growing season will bring, they can select the seed products that help them take control of their input decisions and make the in-season adjustments they need to produce a profitable crop.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products. 
Lexar® and LUMAX® are Restricted Use Pesticides.  
Lexar®, LUMAX®, Touchdown Total®, NK®  Brand, AgriEdge™, Agrisure™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.