In 2024, we will have the highest-yielding soybean genetics in history. Every year is better, and we are very excited about our lineup of Hefty Brand XtendFlex and Enlist varieties.

The XtendFlex and Enlist traits will cover 90+% of the market in the U.S. again in 2024. While you likely have already made your decision which one of those traits you will use on your farm, there are many farms still up in the air as to which way to go. I’ll assure you there are good varieties in both trait platforms.

Here are a few lessons we’ve learned with Enlist and XtendFlex to help you get the most out of what each trait offers.

ESTABLISH AN EARLY CROP CANOPY

• Use a complete seed treatment to get a great stand and fast emergence.
• Consider narrow rows to reach canopy quicker to choke out weeds.
• Plant earlier to get to canopy quicker. If you do plant earlier, the seed treatment becomes even more of a no-brainer.
• Keep planting populations UP. While there is a trend to lower planting populations, the best stands with the least IDC (iron deficiency chlorosis) and the fewest weeds occurred where growers used higher-than-normal planting populations.

BE SURE TO USE THE ENLIST HERBICIDE COMPONENT IN THE BEST WAY.

• Use 2 pints of Enlist One as part of the burndown on no-till and reduced-till acres.
• In-crop, you are allowed up to two applications of Enlist One at 2 pints per acre each time. You need the full 2 pints to control small weeds (four inches tall or shorter).
• Use Liberty herbicide in a tankmix with Enlist One to control grasses, bigger broadleaf weeds, and any weeds that are resistant or tolerant to 2,4-D.
• You can use up to 43 ounces of Liberty per application. With Liberty way down in price for this season, the tankmix of a full rate of Liberty plus the full rate of Enlist One will be popular.
  It works great.

KNOW THE REAL STORY ON KOCHIA AND PIGWEED CONTROL

• Enlist One can work very well on small kochia and pigweed. It’s important to use three effective modes of action pre-emerge in soybeans. This thins out the weed populations. Then, focus on getting great coverage and controlling weeds when they are very small.
• 2,4-D is not as good as dicamba on kochia, but it can be if you mix Liberty at 43 ounces and Enlist One at 2 pints per acre.
• If pigweeds get big in your fields, do the same thing as you would on kochia. Enlist One at a rate of only 2 pints is not enough to control big weeds, but that’s the maximum labeled rate. Use a tankmix with Liberty and Enlist One.

UNDERSTAND WHY VOLUNTEER CORN CONTROL IS SO TOUGH IN ENLIST BEANS

• Most people have figured out there is antagonism when you mix Enlist One with any of the volunteer corn herbicides. There are two solutions. Either make a separate trip to control volunteer corn OR increase the rate of volunteer corn herbicide in your Enlist One tankmix.
• I’d suggest spraying volunteer corn before it gets big (six inches tall or a maximum of twelve inches tall) and using either the highest labeled rate of volunteer corn killer or at least a 50 percent higher rate than normal (if labeled).

USE DICAMBA AS PART OF YOUR BURNDOWN.

It works very well on winter annuals and early-emerging broadleaf weeds. If the weather is dry after you spray, the dicamba will last for at least a week or two and kill quite a few additional weeds. If the weather is wet after you spray, the dicamba residual will end sooner, but the rain will activate whatever residual herbicide you use, so to some degree you weather-proof your herbicide program when you’ve got dicamba together with a good residual.

MANAGING POST-EMERGE DRIFT AND VOLATILITY IS ESSENTIAL.

Follow all label recommendations and requirements, but also use common sense. Spraying earlier in the season when it’s cooler and neighboring crops are not in the reproductive stages definitely helps reduce issues. Spraying on days when the wind will be blowing away from sensitive crops for the next 48 hours is also helpful.

DON’T SKIMP ON RESIDUALS EITHER PRE- OR POST-EMERGE.

Just like with Enlist soybeans, getting three effective modes of action applied pre-emerge is critical. Adding a post-emerge residual herbicide to your first in-crop application is also very helpful for keeping your fields clean all season.

IF YOU ARE STILL USING XTEND SOYBEANS, SWITCH TO XTENDFLEX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The addition of Liberty herbicide tolerance has been a really big deal. Using Liberty at 43 ounces per acre for the second in-crop application has greatly reduced off-target issues, since dicamba isn’t needed in most cases at that point.

ESTABLISH AN EARLY CROP CANOPY.

Read the details in the Enlist section.