Bayer announces training plans, tools for XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology users
In late October, the Environmental Protection Agency extended the label registration for Bayer’s XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology through the 2020 growing season, giving farmers access to this important weed management tool for at least the next two years.
In advance of the 2019 growing season, Bayer will reach out to farmers and applicators to communicate new use highlights and provide tools to help them find continued success in using XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology to control resistant broadleaf weeds.
Train for Success
Ryan Rubischko, Bayer’s North American dicamba portfolio lead, says the company will host training sessions during the winter months in which experts will cover all the bases related to weed control.
“We know that dicamba training is key to helping users make successful, on-target applications,” Rubischko says. “Bayer is going to provide several options to complete that training. Those sessions will cover the updated label highlights, as well as incorporate the best management practices that we’ve learned in recent years.”
Some of the new label highlights attendees will learn about at training sessions involve applicators, equipment and use patterns.
“One key component of the new XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology label is relative to all applicators. Going forward, applicators must be certified to apply it, as dicamba is considered a restricted use pesticide,” Rubischko says.
Bayer representatives will also be stressing the importance of properly cleaning sprayer systems.
“Applicators and farmers need to ensure they have cleaned their sprayers before and after each application. That’s essential to preventing dicamba contamination in other crops,” Rubischko says.
Another aspect all XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology users should know is related to the timing of applications.
“In fields with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology can be sprayed up to 45 days after planting or prior to the R1 growth stage, whichever comes first. In cotton production, it can be used up to 60 days after planting cotton with XtendFlex ® Technology or until the mid-bloom stage, whichever comes first,” Rubischko says.
Growers and applicators can soon visit RoundupReadyXtend.com/training for a list of training events in their areas.
Satisfied Users
Bayer is committed to helping farmers retain access to important technologies that have proven results, like XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology.
“In the past two seasons, where farmers have been able to apply XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology with VaporGrip Technology to soybeans and cotton, users have had a 95 percent average satisfaction rate,” Rubischko says.
In 2018, 50 million acres of soybeans and cotton relied on that technology across the United States, and interest in the tool remains strong.
“Over the past two seasons, we’ve seen the continued use of XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology by farmers and applicators. We anticipate the number of acres will grow beyond that 50 million mark in the years to come,” Rubischko predicts.
