BASF announces US EPA approval of Liberty ULTRA herbicide

Liberty^® ULTRA herbicide, powered by Glu-L™ Technology has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and is now approved for use, subject to state approvals.

Liberty ULTRA herbicide, containing the active ingredient glufosinate-P-ammonium, also been referred to as L-glufosinate ammonium, is the next generation of Liberty herbicide from BASF. This powerful new post knockdown solution is effective on both broadleaves and grasses and is available for use on glufosinate-enabled soybean, cotton, corn and canola acres. In research trials, Liberty ULTRA herbicide has demonstrated 20% superior weed control and won nine out of ten head-to-head comparisons against generics¹.

″As farmers increasingly rely on glufosinate in their weed management programs, the demand for enhanced efficacy and efficiency of this herbicide is more apparent than ever," said Matt Malone, Product Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. ″With a narrowing number of effective knockdown tools in the U.S., BASF's latest innovation, Liberty ULTRA herbicide, will offer American farmers a post knockdown tool that delivers improved performance and convenience thanks to the new Liberty Lock formulation and BASF’s patented Glu-L Technology.″

This powerful combination gives farmers better weed control on grasses and tough broadleaf weeds like palmer amaranth, waterhemp, giant ragweed and kochia, resulting in more bushels at the end of the season.    

Glu-L Technology, the patented synthesis process that refines the glufosinate-ammonium active ingredient to its most herbicidally active component, allows every gallon of Liberty ULTRA to cover 33% more acres than generics. Liberty ULTRA herbicide packs the power of 32 fluid ounces of Liberty herbicide into a convenient 24 fluid ounces standard use rate. In addition to its lower standard use rate, BASF’s Liberty Lock formulation locks more herbicide onto leaves and into weeds. This custom formulation is designed to adhere more droplets onto weed leaves for better coverage with every pass. Once on the leaves, the patent-pending formulation drives nearly three times more herbicide into weeds² compared to generic glufosinate.  

Liberty ULTRA herbicide from BASF is the first resolved isomer, trait-enabled knockdown herbicide, paving the way for several Glu-L Technology-based premix herbicides to come from BASF within this decade. 

For more information about Liberty ULTRA herbicide, powered by Glu-L Technology, contact your local BASF representative or visit Liberty-Ultra.us.

¹ DEV-H-2023-US-DR2, MKD-H-2022-US-D43B, MKD-H-2022-US-D43A, MKD-H-2023-US-D41, MKD-H-2023-US-F41. MKD-H-2023-US-D42. Locations (52); Crops: soybean, corn, cotton and canola; Weed Species (173): GPA: 15-20 gal/acre; AMS or no AMS included depending on protocol.

² BASF lab and growth chamber study to evaluate penetration and absorption of glufosinate formulations, 2023. Analysis of active ingredient within the leaves of pigweed four hours after glufosinate was applied.