Philippines approves import of Enlist Soybeans

Soybean growers gained another herbicide trait platform today with the notification that Enlist E3 had been granted import approvals in the Republic of the Philippines.

China opened its doors to the biotech trait in January, but seed companies were waiting for this latest approval. The Philippines is a top buyer of U.S. soybean meal, used primarily to feed livestock.

Jointly developed by Dow AgroSciences and MS Technologies, Enlist E3 soybeans are tolerant to new 2,4-D choline in Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides, as well as glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides. Enlist Duo herbicide is a combination of new 2,4-D choline and glyphosate. Enlist One herbicide is a singular 2,4-D choline product that can be tank mixed with qualified glufosinate products. Dow AgroSciences is now part of Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont.

Corteva Agriscience and MS Technologies said in a news release that the trait would be available in "introductory launch" volumes in many seed brands for U.S. growers in 2019. Brands will include many Corteva Agriscience seeds as well as many licensees. Full commercial quantities across all Corteva Agriscience brands will be available in 2020, including Corteva Agriscience's flagship Pioneer brand, as well as from Stine Seed Company and Merschman Seed Company, the press release said.

Corteva previously announced a full commercial launch was scheduled for Canada in 2019.

Todd Burrus, of Burrus Seed Company, told DTN last month that the Arenzville, Illinois, company was taking Enlist E3 seed reservations in anticipation of the approval.

"We were prepared to go all the way to April 1 before having to change our plans. This announcement makes it easier to execute at a more efficient pace," said Burrus. The company plans to offer five Enlist E3 varieties ranging from 2.5 to 3.9 relative maturity.

Stine Seed Company told DTN last month that it was also taking Enlist E3 reservations. Today the company said in a news release that it would offer 37 Stine Enlist E3 soybean options for the 2019 growing season.

Corteva and MS Technologies also revealed they are currently in Enlist E3 licensing discussions with more than 100 seed brands. The company estimated Enlist E3 soybeans could be planted on more than 10% of U.S. and Canada soybean acres in 2020.

This completes the Enlist technology portfolio. USDA deregulated the Enlist trait systems in corn, cotton and soybeans in 2014, but lack of import approvals had delayed commercialization, particularly in soybeans. In 2018, Enlist cotton reached 1.5 million acres in the Cotton Belt, and Enlist cornfields could be found in Iowa, Kansas and southern Minnesota. Some farmers planted Enlist E3 soybean acres in 2018, either for seed production or in a closed-loop system in a marketing agreement with Archers Daniel Midland (ADM).

Farmers can apply Enlist herbicides to the E3 soybeans in burndown through post-emergence applications. An additional benefit is there is no plant-back window after a burndown application of Enlist herbicides.

Additional information about the status of regulatory authorizations for agricultural biotechnology seed products is at http://www.biotradestatus.com/…

To learn more about the Enlist weed control system, visit Enlist.com