Weeds in your fields change faster than the EPA and other regulatory agencies here and abroad act. Palmer amaranth, tall waterhemp, marestail and giant ragweed don’t wait for anyone’s approval to develop herbicide resistance. You need more options.

No one knows that better than Dave Hillger, an Enlist field specialist with Dow AgroSciences. He recently granted an interview with Indiana Prairie Farmer to provide an update on the current status of the Enlist Weed Control System.

IPF: What could growers do with Enlist corn in 2016?

Hillger: We continued with a limited introduction, primarily with farmers who chop silage or raise feed for their livestock. Since we didn’t have approval from China for export, we diligently implemented a stewardship program to ensure that corn with the trait didn’t end up in export channels.

IPF: What was the situation with Enlist soybeans in 2016?

Hillger: It was a production year for soybeans. We worked with growers who raised seed. We anticipated being able to launch the Enlist Weed Control System in soybeans in 2017. However, that doesn’t appear likely now, due to the delay in import approvals.

IPF: Did these farmers apply Enlist Duo herbicide on Enlist corn and Enlist soybeans in 2016?

Hillger: Yes, many were able to apply Enlist Duo. There are a few places where we still don’t have a state label, including Michigan. However, we expect registration in those states soon.

Farmers who used the product were excited from two different aspects. They really liked the weed control. And they reported virtually no problems with volatilization or drift. We were confident in the Colex-D technology, and it proved itself in the field. Off-target movement was not an issue.

IPF: What is the status of Enlist corn for 2017?

Hillger: We’re still waiting on regulatory approval from China, and believe we’ll receive it shortly. If we receive Chinese approval, we intend to launch the Enlist Weed Control System in corn in 2017. We have a good supply of seed ready and waiting, and would distribute it through Mycogen, other companies owned by Dow AgroSciences and licensees.

If for some reason we don’t get approval, we’ll again do a limited launch with careful stewardship in 2017, similar to what we did in 2016. We would work primarily with farmers who chop silage or feed corn to livestock.

IPF: What is the situation for soybeans for 2017?

Hillger: It appears that it will be another production year due to delays in import approvals. Growers will produce seed. We’ll anticipate commercial launch in 2018. We won’t launch the trait in soybeans without appropriate import approvals.

IPF: Will the Enlist trait be in competitive genetics in corn and soybeans when it’s launched?

Hillger: Yes. We are very confident about our genetic packages in both crops. In soybeans, we began with a breeding stack of Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans. There are strong varieties in that lineup. We also developed Enlist E3 soybeans with MS Technologies in Iowa. Both soybean options have tolerance to 2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate. With Enlist E3 soybeans, glyphosate tolerance is through a different method than the one that provides glyphosate resistance for Roundup Ready soybeans. We expect Enlist E3 varieties to be very important in the future.

IPF: What is the status of Enlist in cotton?

Hillger: Growers can raise cotton with the Enlist trait, but we haven’t received registration to spray Enlist Duo over cotton. We expect registration for use in Enlist cotton for 2017.