As harvest comes to an end, now is a great time to reflect on the 2024 crop while also looking ahead at your management practices heading into the 2025 season. There are several new corn traits that may influence how you manage your insect and weed pressure in the upcoming year. Some of the new traits control above-ground pests and others control both above- and below-ground insects. Let’s take a closer look at some of the newer corn technologies.

TRAITS THAT CONTROL ABOVE-GROUND PESTS.

PowerCore^® Enlist^® hybrids combine three modes of action against above-ground pests while also providing tolerance to multiple herbicides, including glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D choline, and FOPS (Group 1 - Aryloxyphenoxypropionates). PowerCore Enlist hybrids contain three modes of action against European Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, and Southwestern Corn Borer while providing a single mode of action versus Black Cutworm. The application window for Enlist corn herbicides is up to 30 in. tall or through the V8 growth stage, whichever comes first. When applied with a drop nozzle, Enlist herbicides can be used on corn up to 48 in. tall.

Beck’s has numerous PowerCore Enlist hybrids ranging from 89 to 112-RM available for the 2025 planting season.

Another newer trait that controls above-ground pests is Trecepta^® Technology. Trecepta pairs the two modes of action found in VT Double PRO^® Technology with Agrisure Viptera^® for broad-spectrum insect control. This additional mode of action expands the pest spectrum to include Western Bean Cutworm and Black Cutworm and offers greater efficacy on insects like Corn Earworm. You can expect clean ears and less yield reduction by protecting your corn crop from earworms. Trecepta hybrids also contain tolerance to glyphosate.

Beck’s has many Trecepta hybrids ranging from 102 to 119-RM available for the 2025 planting season.

NEWER CORN TECHNOLOGIES THAT CONTROL BOTH ABOVE- AND BELOW-GROUND INSECTS

All three technologies listed below contain a new mode of action to control Corn Rootworm (CRW). This new mode of action uses RNA Interference (RNAi) Technology to specifically target and help control CRW. RNAi uses RNA molecules to target specific genes in CRW that disrupt their development and reproduction.

The first corn technology on the market containing RNAi technology was SmartStax^® PRO. SmartStax PRO is built on the foundation of SmartStax Technology but includes a third mode of action (RNAi) that offers improved CRW control. In addition to CRW, SmartStax PRO Technology also provides protection against above-ground pests, including European Corn Borer, Southwestern Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, Black Cutworm, and Corn Earworm. SmartStax PRO products are tolerant to both glyphosate and glufosinate. SmartStax PRO hybrids are built for moderate to high-pressure CRW acres or any acres you want maximum CRW protection on.

Beck’s has numerous SmartStax PRO products ranging from 104 to 116-RM.

VT4PRO^™ is another new technology that contains RNAi technology to help control CRW. VT4PRO combines the three modes of action in Trecepta Technology with two below-ground modes of action including RNAi Technology. VT4PRO is also tolerant to glyphosate and is a great option to place on rotated or corn-after-corn acres with low to moderate CRW pressure.

Beck’s has VT4PRO products available at 99 and 112-RM.

Vorceed^® Enlist^® is the final new technology that contains RNAi technology to help control CRW. Similar to SmartStax PRO, Vorceed Enlist products contain three modes of action to protect against Corn Rootworm and three modes of action against above-ground pests, including European Corn Borer, Southwestern Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, Black Cutworm, and Corn Earworm. In addition, Vorceed Enlist products are tolerant to multiple herbicides, including glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D choline, and FOPS. Vorceed Enlist hybrids are built for the moderate to high-pressure CRW acre or any acre that you want maximum CRW protection.

Beck’s has multiple Vorceed Enlist product offerings ranging from 97 to 111-RM.

CLICK HERE to view Beck’s high-yielding corn lineup for 2025. Please contact your local Beck’s dealer or seed advisor to discuss if any of these new corn technologies are a good fit as you finalize your 2025 product orders.

_{Beck's - Farmers At Heart® - revolutionized the customer seed buying experience by remaining true to a foundation built on faith, family, and farming. Founded in 1937, Beck's appreciates the farmers who have helped them become the largest family-owned retail seed company and the third-largest seed brand in the United States. The Beck family is now in its fifth generation of family members who work in the business to honor God and help farmers succeed. The Beck family and team of employees help farmers achieve success from generation to generation through authentic customer experiences, product diversity, seed quality, and performance. With a home office located in Atlanta, Ind., Beck's serves farmers throughout the Midwest and Mid-South. For more information about Beck's Superior Hybrids, Inc., visit www.beckshybrids.com.}