Posted June 23, 2020 | By: Kurt Holdis

Proven Seed Representative for Nutrien Ag Solutions in Northern Alberta.

In recent years, there’s been challenging springs for western Canadian canola farmers. Cool, wet conditions or unpredictable weather can mean growers have a tough time getting into the field to seed their crops.

One of the dangers of delaying seeding is a tighter window for controlling tough weeds like dandelion, foxtail barley and wild buckwheat that are some of the biggest headaches for producers.

Farmers growing Genuity® Roundup Ready® canola can spray up to the six-leaf stage, but when conditions are less than ideal, that may not be enough time. TruFlex™ Canola with Roundup Ready® Technology solves that problem by widening the window for herbicide application beyond the six-leaf stage all the way to the first flower. This means 10 to 14 more days for growers to safely spray their canola fields — and a better chance of a higher yielding crop at harvest.

With TruFlex varieties, you can apply herbicide in two ways: a single application of 1.33 litres per acre or two applications of 0.67 litres per acre each. These rates are higher than allowed with Genuity canola, and TruFlex lives up to its name by providing more flexibility for managing hard-to-kill weeds like dandelion and wild buckwheat. Both weeds can be problematic in a Genuity system, but applying herbicide at the highest rate in a TruFlex system will give you excellent, season-long control.

In addition to offering improved weed control, Truflex varieties are built on the most up-to-date genetics available, which can increase your yield potential.

If you’re considering TruFlex on your farm, I see it as a definite fit to help provide more flexibility with your spray window.

For those growers choosing TruFlex canola who decide to spray the crop between the six-leaf stage and first flower, it’s important to always make sure you’re using the correct application rate. If you spray at the higher rate too late, you run the risk of crop injury and yield loss.

TruFlex canola was introduced to the market last year, and Proven® Seed now has three outstanding hybrids to offer growers.

PV 780 TC is a TruFlex variety that is clubroot resistant as well as earlier maturing. PV 760 TM and PV 761 TM feature early maturity and harvest management traits that make them attractive options for canola producers.

Roundup Ready® technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Roundup®, Roundup Ready® and TruFlex™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada ULC licensee. ©2020 Monsanto Canada ULC. Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. 

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Posted May 19, 2020