Dow AgroSciences Unveils Enlist™ Ahead

Date:03-07-2012

Dow AgroSciences has unveiled Enlist Ahead, a first-of-its-kind management resource for farmers, and the newest component of the Enlist Weed Control System. The announcement was made at Commodity Classic, the largest U.S. farmer-led convention that gathers producer leaders from across the country.

Enlist™ Ahead is being developed with extensive input from farmers and other key stakeholders, and is designed to help growers succeed while promoting responsible use of the Enlist system. Built on a three-pillar foundation, Enlist Ahead will offer farmers, applicators and retailers technology advancements; education, tools and training; and management recommendations.

Pending regulatory approvals, the Enlist Weed Control System will be offered in corn, soybeans and cotton, and will provide tolerance to Enlist Duo™ herbicide with Colex-D™ Technology. Enlist Duo herbicide is a proprietary blend of glyphosate and new 2,4-D choline.

“Enlist Ahead represents a fresh look at sustainable agriculture,” says Damon Palmer, U.S. commercial leader, Enlist™ Weed Control System, Dow AgroSciences. “This resource is the result of input from farmers, sensitive crop growers, academics, retailers and other stakeholders, who told us what they need to feel confident with the adoption of new weed control technology and management into the future. Using that knowledge, we are building this comprehensive resource with the grower and applicator in mind.”

According to Tommy Young, a farmer from Tuckerman, Ark., this will be valuable in managing the new technology.

“Farmers are the best stewards of nature we have on Earth,” Young says. “The simple fact is we want to do the right thing by the land. If our nation’s farmers are expected to feed a growing world population, we must have new technology and we must manage it right. Resources like Enlist Ahead will help.”

Technology Advancements

Enlist Ahead will offer technology advancements such as Colex-D Technology, which has been engineered to provide key usability benefits for herbicides including ultra-low volatility, minimized potential for physical drift, lower odor and better handling characteristics. Extensive testing in lab and field settings and studies with external university cooperators have consistently shown significant reduction in off-target movement with herbicides containing Colex-D Technology.

“The benefits that Colex-D Technology brings from an off-target movement standpoint are significant,” says Palmer. “This is positive for growers and applicators, and will help promote effective use of the herbicide and compatibility with neighboring crops.”

Valuable Tools and Guidance for Users

Through Enlist Ahead, Dow AgroSciences will provide instructor-led training in the field, on the Web and in the classroom to increase understanding of the Enlist™ system and help users make good agronomic decisions. Ag retailers and seed sellers will also have access to an online training library to train their employees and farmer customers on topics ranging from weed management to spray application, including minimizing off-target movement, and more. In addition, Dow AgroSciences will have a broad network of in-field technical experts to support customers and others in the industry when the Enlist system is commercialized.

Details on additional features of Enlist Ahead will be announced in the future, including mobile field tools and discounts for recommended equipment to help ensure application accuracy and optimum performance.

“Enlist Ahead is building upon Dow AgroSciences’ long-standing commitment and leadership in product stewardship,” says Jane Stautz, global product stewardship and sustainability leader, Dow AgroSciences. “We are committed to the Enlist technology and to introducing new tools and resources to support its responsible use, as we are with all products and programs in our portfolio.”

Pending regulatory approvals, Dow AgroSciences anticipates launching the Enlist™ Weed Control System in corn in the 2013 crop year, followed by soybeans in 2015 and cotton in 2016.