According to representatives from the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), three biotech soybean traits have been approved by the European Union for import and processing. The three stacked events are:

• Monsanto's Xtend (dicamba x glyphosate MON87708 x MON89788)

• Monsanto's Vistive Gold (high oleic x glyphosate MON87705 x MON89788)

• Bayer CropScience's Balance GT (glyphosate x HPPD inhibitor FG72)

WEED MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY: Tony Johanson, a farmer from Oakland, said the European Union approval of three biotech traits in soybeans gives growers additional tools to combat weeds.

Greg Greving, a farmer from Chapman and a director on the United Soybean Board, welcomed the news of the announcement. "This is very exciting news for soybean producers," Greving says. "Europe is a large market for U.S. soybean exports, and this approval gives farmers another option to help control weeds and produce quality products that meet the needs of our customers."

In a press release issued earlier this summer, the Nebraska Soybean Board said soybean exports are an important part of the American farm economy. In 2015, U.S. soybean farmers exported 1.69 billion bushels of soybeans to foreign end users, or 43% of overall production. European countries represent a large market for U.S. soy, importing more than 165 million bushels already this year.

U.S. soybean farmers began to adopt biotechnology on their farms in 1996. Today, U.S. soybean farmers plant an estimated 94% of their acres with biotech traits. Biotechnology is an important tool for farmers, allowing them to produce a healthy, affordable protein source in a sustainable manner. Biotech seeds allow farmers to maximize yields while using fewer pesticides and herbicides. The use of biotechnology, along with other best management practices such as no-till, has allowed U.S. soybean farmers to meet global demand in a more sustainable manner, the Nebraska Soybean Board said.

Tony Johanson, a farmer and Nebraska Soybean Board director from Oakland, says he was pleased to hear about the long-awaited announcement. "These approvals allow growers to utilize multiple platforms to combat weed pressure," Johanson says. "Having choices benefits growers because it gives them the flexibility to choose the mode of action that works best for them and their operation."

Source: Nebraska Soybean Board