The light finally turned green for the Enlist system for corn when the Chinese government announced import approval of the trait earlier this summer. Expect a full commercial launch of Enlist corn in 2018.

Recently John Chase, U.S. commercial leader for the Enlist Weed Control System for Dow AgroSciences, answered Indiana Prairie Farmer’s questions about what Chinese approval and the anticipated commercial launch means for corn growers.

What does the Chinese approval of the Enlist trait in corn mean directly for corn growers? Corn growers can begin ordering hybrids with the Enlist trait for the 2018 season now. Enlist Duo [herbicide] contains 2,4-D choline with Colex-D technology developed by Dow AgroSciences, plus glyphosate. It’s designed for application on corn carrying the Enlist trait, which provides tolerance to 2,4-D, glyphosate and FOP herbicides.

Will it be available in top genetics for 2018? Yes. Plant breeders have been working with this trait for a long time. We’ve worked with farmers who can feed corn on their farm in a stewardship program for the past two years.

SmartStax Enlist and PowerCore Enlist hybrids will be available for 2018. SmartStax contains traits that control both aboveground and belowground insects. PowerCore is the new Dow AgroSciences insect control package for aboveground insects. It was available in hybrids without the Enlist trait in 2017.

What brands will offer Enlist system hybrids for corn for 2018? The five brands owned by Dow AgroSciences are now offering Enlist hybrids. They include Mycogen, our national brand, plus four regional brands. Those are Brodbeck, Dairyland, Pfister and Prairie Brand. We will license PowerCore Enlist technology to other companies in the future.

Why is access to this new technology in 2018 important to corn growers? Tough-to-control and resistant weeds continue to spread across the Corn Belt. You may hear more about fighting them in soybeans, but these tough weeds are a problem for corn growers, too.  Enlist Duo for Enlist corn becomes another tool in your toolbox.

How do you envision corn growers using Enlist Duo? It needs to be used as part of the system. That is why we refer to it as another tool. The system needs to include other herbicides as well. Using it in combination with residual herbicides so that the weeds see multiple modes of action is the key. Coming after weeds with herbicides with multiple modes of action is the key.

What does the new technology offer that doesn’t exist with conventional 2,4-D? Colex-D technology developed in our labs provides near zero volatility of the product. It won’t get up and move onto off-target crops and plants like conventional 2,4-D could. It’s also a low-odor product. If you’ve used regular 2,4-D before, you will notice that as soon as you open a jug of Enlist Duo.

You can also achieve minimal drift with Enlist Duo as long as you follow recommendations on the label.