Bayer announces new resources, training opportunities for use of its XtendiMax herbicide

This season, with the new 5-year registration for XtendiMax^® herbicide with VaporGrip^® Technology and the introduction of XtendFlex^® soybeans, U.S. growers using the Roundup Ready^® Xtend Crop System have more options, flexibility, and support than ever before to help them have a successful 2021.

“Helping growers protect their crops and have successful harvests is what we do,” said Alex Zenteno, dicamba product manager. “We are excited to bring U.S. soybean and cotton growers these tools in 2021, and we will continue to support our customers to help with proper stewardship so they can achieve great weed control and strong harvests.”

Bayer is offering a variety of free training options – including live webinars every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Central through the end of March 2021, self-guided online modules, and limited in-person workshops for customers unable to connect online – so that applicators can safely and effectively prepare for the season. We will continue offering training up until the application cutoff dates this summer. Applicators can sign up for training at RoundupReadyXtend.com/Training. XtendiMax herbicide remains a restricted use pesticide (RUP) and all certified applicators must undergo annual training to use the technology.

“Our convenient online training options, not surprisingly, have been really popular this year,” said Mark Groth, dicamba product stewardship lead. “The webinars allow trainees to ask questions and interact real-time with Bayer weed scientists. We are also providing customer technical support through our 1-844- RRXTEND line to assist with a seamless virtual experience. The participation and feedback have been very positive, and all indications are that applicators are poised to have a successful season with the new XtendiMax herbicide label.”

The new EPA-approved product label for XtendiMax herbicide includes the following:

• Requirement that an approved volatility reduction adjuvant (VRA) be tank mixed with XtendiMax herbicide for all applications to further control volatility.

• Requirement of a downwind buffer of 240 feet, and 310 feet in areas where listed species are located.

• Prohibition of OTT application on soybeans after June 30 and cotton after July 30.

• Simplification of the label and use directions so growers can more easily determine when and how to properly apply.

The Bayer-led trainings explain the new label requirements in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Bayer has also updated the XtendiMaxApplicationRequirements.com webpage, which details the application requirements, including the approved tank mix products, volatility reduction adjuvants (VRAs), nozzles, and drift reduction technologies. Even more resources are available at RoundupReadyXtend.com to supplement the trainings and further help ensure growers and applicators understand and can successfully use the technology.

Regarding VRAs, Bayer has enabled the launch of VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent products that deliver additional VaporGrip^® Technology to spray tanks for further reduction of potential dicamba volatility. Click here for a VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent one-pager that details the extensive testing behind this VRA that has been conducted by both Bayer and U.S. academic weed scientists. A list of approved VRAs is available here: XtendiMaxApplicationRequirements.com/#/VRAlist.

“The Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System gives growers the best opportunity to maximize yield potential,” said Megan McQuoid, soybean trait marketing manager. “It controls more weeds than any other soybean system.¹ When it comes to yields, harvest results from 2020 confirm that Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^® Soybeans, as part of the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, has an average 3.5 bushel per acre yield advantage and a 78% win rate over the competition in farmer-managed trials.² And 2020 trials of the new top volume XtendFlex soybeans show an average 4 bushel per acre yield advantage and a 70% win rate over the competition in germplasm trials."³ More details available at RoundupReadyXtend.com/YieldResults.

To further help growers be successful in 2021, Bayer is offering the Bayer Plus Rewards program and an enhanced Spray Early with Confidence program. Bayer Plus Rewards will give qualifying growers using XtendiMax herbicide the opportunity to earn rewards and cash back. Spray Early with Confidence is designed to help growers create effective weed-management programs and provide growers a weed-control guarantee of up to $15/acre when the programs are followed. The 2021 Spray Early with Confidence program has been enhanced to provide more choice and to offer a 21-day broadleaf weed-control guarantee for growers using XtendiMax herbicide together with a pre-residual with two active ingredients.

During the 2021 season, Bayer is committed to staying connected with growers and keeping them informed about any new resources, programs, and other developments related to the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System. The RoundupReadyXtend.com website will continue to serve as a central resource for the latest updates and materials, and the 1-844-RRXTEND call center is again open to growers, applicators, and others who have questions or inquiries about applications, potential off-target movement, or weed management. Those who reach out to Bayer through the 1-844-RRXTEND call center will be contacted within 48 hours to arrange a field visit.

¹ Based on approved EPA herbicide labels for the herbicides recommended for use in each soybean system as of January 2021.

² 2020 Farmer Managed Soybean System Trials (57 locations in 2020 reporting data located with 5-IA, 4-IL, 8-IN, 4-KS, 1-KY, 3-MI, 9-MN, 2-MO, 4-ND, 5-NE, 4-OH, 2-PA, 6-SD). Significant at P ≤ 0.05 LSD at 1.0 Bu/A as of 11/23/2020. Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System data = Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans with a farmer-selected weed control program that may include dicamba, glyphosate and various residual herbicides. Enlist™ Weed Control System data = Enlist E3® soybeans with a farmer-selected weed control program that may include glyphosate, Enlist One® herbicide, Liberty® 280 SL herbicide and various residual herbicides.

³ Data as of October 22, 2020. 2020 Bayer Commercial Germplasm Trials (94 locations in 2020 reporting data located in IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, TN, and WI) Bayer Commercial Germplasm Trials = 9 of the top 10 volume forecasted XtendFlex products.