Minnesota farmers will have access to Enlist E3 soybeans for 2018 planting through an agreement between Dow AgroSciences and ADM.

That’s because the two companies announced a collaboration Oct. 11 that features a closed-loop system. Growers will be able to raise Enlist E3 soybeans and will deliver production only to specific locations where beans will be segregated and used solely within North America.

This is significant for Minnesota soybean farmers because Mankato has been named as one of the locations that would process the soybeans. This would keep the beans out of export channels, which would be important in cases where the technology hasn’t been approved for importation by some key U.S. soybean customers, including China.

In all, 4 delivery points will accept Enlist E3 beans in 2018: two in Missouri and one in Indiana in addition to the Mankato location.

“We are pleased with this announcement,” said Minnesota Soybean CEO Tom Slunecka. “Dow and ADM are leading the way in making sure their products work with this close-loop system. They are taking the necessary steps to ensure their product works for farmers in Minnesota’s environment. We’re excited for Minnesota farmers to be able to take advantage of this new opportunity.”

Dow AgroScience’s Enlist Global Leader, Joe Vertin, says the collaboration will speed up delivery of the technology to farmers.

“U.S. farmers need access to the newest technologies to boost productivity,” he said. “When advanced solutions are available and fully approved in the United States, they should reach farmers as quickly as possible.”

John McGowan, ADM president, North American Oilseeds, said the agreement with Dow “is a great example of how farmers, seed companies and agricultural processors can come together and support solutions that benefit the entire industry.”

Resistant and hard-to-control weeds are one of the most costly and frustrating obstacles for crop farmers today. Enlist E3 soybeans are tolerant to applications of 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate, giving farmers multiple herbicide modes of action postemergence. This should help farmers control tough, most economically damaging weeds and possibly stem further resistance development.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) praised the agreement. Ron Moore, ASA president and a farmer from Roseville, Illinois, said the arrangement will allow a number of farmers to gain experience with the Enlist weed control system, with an approach designed to keep all production out of export channels.

“We also appreciate Dow AgroSciences’ continued efforts to seek import approvals in China and the EU,” Moore added.

Dow’s program requires participating farmers to “adhere to a comprehensive, robust set of protocols designed to ensure the soybeans reach specific ADM facilities, which will process them for use in North American markets only,” according to the company’s announcement.

Farmers will be able to deliver to facilities in:

• Mankato, Minnesota
• Frankfort, Indiana
• Mexico, Missouri
• Deerfield, Missouri

“We’ve put a lot of thought into the best way to manage the process,” Vertin says. “We’re confident in the collaboration with ADM and in providing farmers access to the Enlist system to control their toughest weeds.”

Expect further details through participating seed companies this fall 2017 for the 2018 planting season, the release noted. For more information and to find out how to participate in this program, visit Enlist.com.