Golden Harvest shared new data today for yield performance of Golden Harvest brand soybean varieties with the Enlist E3 soybean trait technology when compared directly against competitors. In addition to yield potential benefits, these varieties offer herbicide flexibility and fit into diversified weed management strategies.

Seed selection is the first step in creating an effective weed management strategy. Golden Harvest offers farmers broad choice of soybean herbicide tolerance trait platforms, including Enlist E3 soybeans.

Start with seed to manage soybean weeds

To assist farmers in developing a well-rounded weed management plan for their soybean fields, Golden Harvest Soybean Product Manager Stephanie Porter explains how varieties with the Enlist E3 soybean trait technology along with integrated agronomic management practices can help farmers control the threat of weeds this growing season.

2021 trials based on Syngenta data and other third-party trials showed that these varieties also deliver beat key Midwest competitors:

  • Golden Harvest soybean GH2292E3 brand outyielded Pioneer P22T18E by 4.5 bushels per acre (bu/A) in 37 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest soybean GH3132E3 brand outyielded Asgrow AG30XF2 by 2.1 bu/A in 18 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest soybean GH3762E3S brand outyielded Pioneer P35T01SE by 2.4 bu/A in 52 comparisons.

Enlist E3 soybean varieties offer tolerance to three modes of action, including 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate, delivering outstanding weed control with application flexibility. By choosing varieties with three different modes of action, farmers can better control problem weeds like giant ragweed, marestail and waterhemp.

Local Golden Harvest Seed Advisors can provide farmers with specific product recommendations to match their weed management program and environment.

Round out soybean weed management plans with agronomic practices

The next step in creating a diversified weed management program is to plan for and implement management practices. Golden Harvest Agronomist Nate Prater, who is based in southwestern Illinois, recommends practices such as narrow row spacing, herbicide applications, scouting and off-season considerations.

  • Narrow row spacing: Weeds like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth love the sun and have a long germination period, but they can be managed with quick canopy closure. Implementing narrow row spacing promotes faster canopy closure and allows soybeans to outcompete any later emerging weeds.
  • Herbicide application: Targeted weed control is nearly impossible without application of a herbicide with good residual activity and multiple modes of action. Golden Harvest provides a soybean herbicide program planning tool to help with selection and planning.
  • Scouting: It's important to scout soybean fields regularly throughout the growing season to put a quick end to weed breakouts and not allow weeds to go to seed.
  • Off-season considerations: Rotating soybean acres with cover crops can suppress weeds by increasing competition. Implementing crop rotation also provides increased weed protection as it reduces the prospect that specific weed species will adapt to a farmer's current weed management system.

Golden Harvest offers a library of agronomy articles to help manage fields. The Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review  also contains additional research updates.

More information is available at the Golden Harvest website.

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