Valent U.S.A. Corporation, Kumiai Chemical Industry Company and Ihara Chemical Industry Corporation plan to introduce Fierce herbicide — a new residual herbicide expected to be launched for corn and soybeans in 2011.

Fierce will join the strong product line of residual herbicides from Valent and will offer farmers the longest-lasting, most dependable residual weed control with rotational flexibility to corn, soybeans and wheat.

“Valent and Kumiai have a long relationship of bringing farmers excellent solutions to their tough weed problems,” said Jamie Nielson, Valent brand manager. “With maximum residual performance and dependability in controlling tough weeds, Fierce will be a herbicide that farmers can count on day in and day out.”

In hundreds of corn and soybean trials across the country, Nielson said, Fierce has shown the longest-lasting residual control — as much as eight weeks — against tough or glyphosate-resistant weeds, such as Palmer amaranth, marestail, common ragweed and lambsquarters, as well as annual grasses.

Fierce also has shown overall increased consistency in the field, resulting in dependable performance for growers with tough weed issues. With the flexibility that Fierce offers, growers who plan to plant corn, soybeans or wheat can feel at ease if crop plans change.

The new herbicide will contain flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone. Fierce can be applied in the spring up to seven days before planting corn and up to three days after planting soybeans. Fierce can also be applied in the fall by farmers who plan on planting corn or soybeans.