We’ve heard it again and again: Weed resistance continues to be a problem for growers. At the same time, this year there were a number of soybean growers who have experienced their cleanest fields to date by using BASF’s latest dicamba product, Engenia herbicide, as part of their weed management program.  

One of those growers is Grant Strom from Knox County, Illinois. Before Engenia herbicide, layering residuals was the only way to manage weeds on his 6,000-acre farm.

“We’ve depended on a pre-residual, and about three years ago is when we started doing a lot of post-residuals, like Outlook® herbicide,” said Strom.

Indiana grower Mark Kessler also adopted new dicamba-tolerant technology this year on fields that have been in his family for seven generations.

“I went 100 percent dicamba beans this year, and I'm ecstatic with what I've seen,” said Kessler. “I like being able to control the resistant weeds like marestail, waterhemp, even giant ragweed is starting to show resistance to some of the other herbicides, but when I’ve used Engenia herbicide this year, it has really cleaned my fields up.”

Kessler noted he was very happy with his soybean yields in these fields, as well.

“I don’t think we’ve been below 60 bushels per acre yet and we’ve had some in the low 70s,” said Kessler.

Bill Calder, who farms 5,500 acres of corn and soybeans in Montgomery County, also planted 100 percent dicamba-tolerant soybeans. Part of the decision to go all-in was based on ease of use when it came to clean out, but he noted the significant benefit offered by the new technology. 

“This is the next technology that we all need to be looking at, because it is cutting edge,” said Calder.  “A lot of times when you adopt a new technology, you have to worry about whether you’re going to have yield drag. I experienced no yield drag at all. Actually, yields were better.”

Like many growers who applied Engenia, Strom is optimistic for the future of his fields. “Our weed situation is drastically better this year than it was in ’15 and ’16, but I think we’re going to be even better next year,” he said.

These were not the only growers who have talked to us about their successful experiences with Engenia herbicide. To see everything they have to say, along with comments from other growers, visit BASF’s YouTube channel.

Engenia Herbicide is a U.S. EPA Restricted Use Pesticide.
Always read and follow label directions.

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