The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week granted temporary, state-by-state permits for the use of imidazolinone herbicide on canola with the IMI* gene. This allows producers in Minnesota and North Dakota to use the imidazolinone herbicide Raptor* for post-emergent control of most broadleaf weeds and grasses in canola with the IMI gene. With this approval, growers will now be able to purchase Pioneer® canola variety 45A71 with the IMI gene for use with Raptor herbicide.

"The EPA’s announcement brings U.S. canola producers another cost-effective weed control method for use in canola," says Jim Atkinson, canola product manager at Pioneer. "Canadian canola growers have used this combination successfully for several years, and we’re excited about the opportunity to offer canola with the gene for IMI tolerance to the U.S. market."

Pioneer® variety 45A71 is the only canola product with the IMI gene that will be available to the U.S. market in 1999. According to Atkinson, it is a medium-early maturity product best adapted to North Dakota and Minnesota. In addition to being tolerant to imidazolinone herbicides, it provides excellent yield and standability, superior oil content and strong tolerance to blackleg.
The product has been available in western Canada for several years, delivering proven performance on millions of acres.

Although only one canola product with resistance to imidazolinone herbicide is commercially available this spring from Pioneer, Atkinson says several more varieties and hybrids are in various stages of development and evaluation. 45A71, as well as future Pioneer varieties with the IMI gene, are products of conventional breeding, which means they are welcome in certain world
markets currently sensitive to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

"The U.S. canola market is rapidly growing," explains Atkinson. "About 1.2 million acres are expected to be planted this spring as compared to only 700,000 two years ago. As a result, we plan to provide canola producers with even more value by developing more canola varieties and hybrids with the IMI gene that will be available as early as next year.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., (NYSE-PHB) is the world’s leading supplier of agricultural genetics and is the leading developer and integrator of agricultural technology. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer develops, produces, and markets a full line of seeds, grain/forage additives and services to grain and livestock producers, grain processors and other customers worldwide.

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