Wilbur-Ellis introduces Fortus brand soybeans

Date:07-29-2024

Wilbur-Ellis, a company focused on providing expertise, knowledge and innovation-driven approaches to agriculture, is introducing FORTUS™ brand soybeans with the Enlist E3^® trait. 

For 2025 planting, the FORTUS brand will include up to 12 varieties in all maturities from Group 0 to Group 4, aligning well with growing conditions and agronomic needs common throughout the Upper Midwest and Plains states. 

″The FORTUS brand soybean offering is exclusive to Wilbur-Ellis. These new varieties provide our customers with high-quality, differentiated genetics and expand their options for controlling problem weeds throughout the entire growing season,″ said Tracie Gogolin, vice president of seed technology at Wilbur-Ellis. ″Our goal is to help our growers be successful. We are confident our seed selection process has pinpointed varieties that are the best of the best in the given geographies we serve. 

″Growers can rely on the knowledge of our local seed experts to help them choose the best varieties for their fields and the appropriate seed treatment package from the wide selection of products we offer,″ Gogolin added. 

The yield potential of the new FORTUS varieties is confirmed through WEGrow Trials, designed and conducted by independent, third-party research organizations. These trials show that the genetics match local and regional variation in soils, climate, weed, pest and disease challenges and end-user needs. 

″Wilbur-Ellis works with six independent research organizations to rigorously ground-prove each soybean variety,″ Gogolin explained. ″A key benefit of the independent research is validation of the data.″  

Five varieties, in relative maturities from Group 0 to Group 2, were available in limited quantities for 2024 planting and can be seen in demonstration plots throughout the Upper Midwest this summer. The plot locations are as follows:  

• Illinois: Fisher, Macomb, Salem  

• Indiana: Bluffton, Crawfordsville, Greensburg, Napanee 

• Iowa: Ames, Randalia, Sioux Rapids 

• Kansas: Lawrence 

• Michigan: Deerfield, St. Johns 

• Minnesota: Austin, Crookston 

• Nebraska: Aurora, Holdredge, Wahoo 

• North Dakota: Ayr, Casselton 

• Ohio: Greenville 

• South Dakota: Beresford, Flandreau, Watertown 

• Wisconsin: Janesville, Platteville 

The FORTUS Enlist E3 soybeans have tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate – providing growers with more choices for weed control. Seed will be available at the company’s retail locations and through more than 140 independent, Wilbur-Ellis-authorized seed sellers across the country.