Monsanto Canada to launch TruFlexTM canola next year for Western Canadian farmers
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Monsanto Canada plans to commercialize a new canola trait, equipped with Roundup Ready® technology, next year.
TruFlexTM canola will be Monsanto’s first new biotech trait in the crop since it released Roundup Ready® canola in 1996, a company release said on Thursday.
“Growers in Western Canada are always looking for updates in new genetics and products that really offer them a step change. I think TruFlexTM hits the mark in that regard,” Trish Jordan, public affairs director with Monsanto, said to Farms.com today.
“It’s our next generation trait and, going forward, it is going to serve as the base platform for any future new canola hybrids we bring to the market.”
TruFlexTM offers Canadian growers improved control of tough weeds, flexibility in spray rates and timing, and higher yield potential through genetics and improved crop safety over the current technology of Genuity® Roundup Ready® canola, the release said.
“The key benefits for growers is that it really brings a new system to them and it helps growers deal with a wide range of growing conditions,” Jordan said.
The new technology will help to control tough perennial and annual weeds including dandelions, foxtail barley and wild buckwheat, as well as yellow foxtail, biennial wormwood and common milkweed. In fact, this product helps to control 24 more weed species than current technologies.
In addition, the wider application window for TruFlexTM gives farmers 10 to 14 more spray days without the chance of causing harm to the crop, the release said.
“The increased flexibility provided by the wider window of application will really appeal to farmers,” Dave Tornberg, Monsanto’s North American traits and systems marketing manager, said in the release.
“It helps them manage their acres more effectively and deal with those stressful weather conditions that result in late spraying that can negatively impact yield.”
Plot trials and field demonstrations for this new variety will take place across Western Canada this year. Growers who are interested in this technology will have the opportunity to see it in the field at Monsanto’s research centres and the market development trial locations.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada approved the variety for full food, feed and environmental safety in June 2012, the release said. TruFlexTM canola has also been approved in several export markets but is still awaiting import approval from China.