Pioneer Refuge In A Bag

[48]

New Refuge in a Bag



EPA Approves Two Optimum AcreMax Blends









Kurt Lawton Crops Technology Editor

Bio




Thu Sep 1, 2011 03:04 PM CDT






EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (DTN) -- Pioneer will add two new blended corn products to their Optimum AcreMax family in 2012, thanks to EPA approval this week of Optimum AcreMax and Optimum AcreMax Xtra. Both products allow farmers to skip buying and planting a separate refuge hybrid, as it is blended in the bag.




Refuge-in-a-bag products allow farmers to skip buying and planting a separate refuge hybrid, as they contain a blend of both traited and non-traited seed. (DTN photo by Nick Scalise)

For growers who desire Bt protection against both corn borer and corn rootworm, Pioneer will market Optimum AcreMax Xtra. It integrates 90% Pioneer hybrid that contains dual insect protection from Herculex XTRA and YieldGard traits. It is blended with 10% of a similar non-Bt herbicide-tolerant hybrid that serves as an integrated corn borer and corn rootworm refuge.

Farmers who desire Bt protection against corn borer and not corn rootworm can choose Optimum AcreMax. It contains a blend of 95% Pioneer hybrid that contains dual insect protection from Herculex I and YieldGard traits, and 5% of a similar non-Bt herbicide-tolerant hybrid that serves as an integrated corn borer refuge.

"The features that are really resonating with growers are the simplicity and the efficiency of Optimum AcreMax products," said Brian Deverman, senior marketing manager with Pioneer, who was interviewed by Progressive Farmer Editor in Chief Gregg Hillyer at the Farm Progress Show. "Growers who planted our Optimum AcreMax 1 product this spring told us it saved them time, especially during a shortened planting window due to weather challenges."

Deverman said Pioneer plans to launch both products on a large scale in 2012. "We'll have AcreMax products in the 103- to 115-day maturity range, and both hybrids in the bag will contain our PPS250 seed treatment. Our AcreMax Xtra products will be available in earlier- and later-maturing hybrids to help northern and southern growers who feel they don't need rootworm protection."

Seed treatments will vary in the AcreMax Xtra bag. "The hybrid that comprises 90% of the bag will be treated with our standard PPS250, and the second hybrid will have our Poncho 1250 Votivo for increased protection against corn rootworm and nematodes," Deverman said.

Another advantage with these refuge-in-a-bag products is refuge compliance, which has been dropping in recent years. "By planting either of these new products, growers know the refuge is already in the field and they are in full compliance," he said. "And that automatic compliance fact is a big plus with the EPA, because it improves trait durability."

Regarding herbicide tolerance, both AcreMax and AcreMax Xtra will contain glyphosate-resistance for 2012. "Ultimately, we plan to add tolerance to glufosinate, we just won't have it next year."

Deverman also mentioned that there are no concerns with international approval on these hybrids, as all traits included are fully approved.

Kurt Lawton can be reached at [e-mail]

(GH/AG)

© Copyright 2011 DTN/The Progressive Farmer, A Telvent Brand. All rights reserved.