By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor
The first herbicide-tolerant sorghum seed, Alta Seeds’ igrowth®, is now ready to hit the U.S. market after parent company UPL received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of the companion herbicide product, IMIFLEX.
The duo represents a breakthrough in the sorghum market, according to Dr. Zack Eder, U.S. technology development manager for Advanta US, an operating unit of global seed company Advanta Seeds and a division of UPL.
The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We’re seeing very high and very strong markets for grain sorghum, so we couldn’t have asked for a better perfect storm. This technology is going to be a game-changer,” Eder said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “This is something that the sorghum industry, all our partners and all the different companies, have been trying to finally bring to life for our growers. To be the first to bring it to market is very exciting, but I think the industry as a whole is going to benefit from it.”
Despite its reputation as a drought-tolerant crop, sorghum acreage has dramatically decreased because of weedy grass pressure. Eder noted Texas farmers see many broadleaf weed species, as well.
But Advanta’s new product allows farmers the flexibility to apply IMIFLEX on igrowth® sorghum varieties as a pre- or post-emergent, meaning it’s well-suited for a variety of growing areas.
“In the Texas Panhandle, you’re going to be able to reclaim some acres and some rotations that are existing with corn or some limited irrigation. And in South Texas, too,” Eder said. “The biggest aspect is when we see grass pressure in some of these fields. You’re talking 30, 40, 60 percent yield losses every year just because of the grass pressure. If we can suppress or control those grasses, we’re going to see a lot more profitability for the farmer. As an agronomist,
that’s my end goal.”
Advanta also received final approval from the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“The two hybrids folks should be looking at for this season are ADVG-1142 and ADVG-2177. We have great supply of this seed. This is not a small launch. You don’t have to be on a special list, just call your local dealer. We’ll be able to get seed to you,” he said. “We have five total hybrids for commercial launch, but due to the tremendous demand we’ve had, those are the two products I know we’re going to have a great supply of for the Texas sales region.”
More information on the seeds and herbicide is available at http://altaseeds.advantaus.com.