Despite China approval still pending, Canadian growers can order Xtend soybeans from Monsanto

Canadian growers will be able to order Monsanto soybean varieties with Xtend technology this fall, even though China hasn’t approved the soybean trait.

 

Monsanto said China’s regulatory agency is scheduled to decide on Roundup Ready2 Xtend soybeans in November. The genetically modified technology allows soybean plants to tolerate applications of glyphosate and dicamba. Monsanto doesn’t want to introduce the new trait in the United States and Canada until it receives Chinese import approval because the country is a major buyer of North American soybeans.

 

Considering the uncertainty, Monsanto said in mid-September that U.S. growers can pre-order Xtend soybean varieties this fall to take advantage of price discounts. If 2016 commercialization doesn’t pan out farmers who placed an order can buy a substitute Roundup Ready2 variety at the same discounts. Monsanto Canada is following a similar contingency plan. 

 

Commercialization next year also depends on U.S. regulators. Monsanto is waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to provide “final chemistry label approval” for the Xtend system.

 

DowAgro is also waiting for Chinese import approval for its stacked herbicide tolerance trait. It has full approval in Canada and the U.S. for its Enlist technology, which offers herbicide tolerance for glyphosate and a new formulation of 2,4-D in corn and soybeans.