ADAMA's FirstAct herbicide receives US EPA approval

S&W Seed Company, a global integrated agricultural seed technology company, and ADAMA Ltd., one of the world's leading crop protection companies, announced U.S. EPA approval of FirstAct™, the herbicide component of the companies' Double Team Sorghum Cropping Solution, paving the way for the sorghum grass solution to be commercially available in the United States.

Double Team, a collaboration between S&W Seed Company and ADAMA Ltd., is a non-GMO herbicide tolerant sorghum solution allowing growers' over-the-top use of ADAMA's FirstAct™ herbicide, maintaining high levels of crop safety.  

To develop this new herbicide-tolerant trait, S&W used its advanced research and technology platform in collaboration with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. S&W will produce and offer high-performance seeds containing the Double Team (DT) Trait equivalent with conventional hybrids.

FirstAct herbicide is applied postemergence in Double Team sorghum to control more than 30 grass weeds, including Texas panicum/millet, volunteer corn, field sandbur, crabgrass, etc. FirstAct will allow for full flexibility in crop rotation and is an excellent weed resistance management solution for ALS, glyphosate, and other grass weeds which have developed resistance over time.

Jake Brodsgaard, CEO of ADAMA USA, said, "The collaboration agreement with S&W Seed Company is bringing its first innovation to market and perfectly aligns with the mission of ADAMA to listen, learn and deliver, providing growers with simple, straight-forward solutions. This new cropping solution simplifies crop management by providing sorghum growers with an effective and convenient weed management system to get the most from every production acre."

Mark Wong, CEO of S&W Seed Company, commented, "The Double Team Sorghum Cropping Solution is now ready for commercial launch with the registration of the FirstAct herbicide, marking a significant milestone for the team at S&W, ADAMA, and the sorghum industry as a whole. Sorghum growers have been asking for over-the-top grass control for more than two decades, and with the development of the Double Team system, we now have all the pieces in place to finally offer this game-changing solution to these farmers. We believe Double Team has the potential to revolutionize the sorghum market in the same way other weed control technologies have enhanced yields for crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton. Further, we believe the introduction of the Double Team sorghum system has the potential to significantly expand the size of the overall sorghum market, which has previously been unable to address issues with grassy weed competition."

Through the S&W and ADAMA collaboration, growers are expected to receive a premium level of support for the Double Team sorghum cropping solution. Stewardship and proper use will be a focal point to ensure that sorghum growers have Double Team sorghum available for years to come.

Growers will get to experience Double Team Sorghum in 2021 as part of a limited launch. Initial fields will be located strategically and conveniently in areas where growers interested in the Double Team Cropping Solution can see the system this summer. The first generation of Double Team hybrids fit the heart of the High Plains' sorghum growing area. In 2021, there will be three hybrids available to growers with maturities that range from very early to medium maturity.