The introduction of DEKALB brand Roundup Ready® canola gives growers another weapon in the fight against hard-to-control grass and broadleaf weeds. Sample bags of the variety were provided to selected growers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota for planting on more than 400 trial acres. The DEKALB variety marks the brand's first offering of canola seed in the United States. Additional DEKALB varieties are being evaluated for release in 2000. 

"Roundup Ready canola delivers higher net returns per acre than other canola systems because of unmatched weed control, proven crop safety and the ability to seed and spray early," says Geoff Thomas, supporting crops product lead for the DEKALB brand. "Roundup Ready canola used with Roundup Ultra? has broad-spectrum weed control of both grasses and broadleaf weeds, which proves far superior to any other herbicide program used on canola in the U.S."

"As part of the Monsanto and DEKALB effort to maximize grower profitability, we are excited to
bring Roundup Ready technology forward in another key crop, and look forward to releasing trial results this fall," adds Thomas. "Spurred by increased demand for a vegetable oil with lower levels of saturated fat, demand for U.S. canola acreage is on the rise." 

Thomas says DEKALB brand Roundup Ready canola gives growers a variety that combines superior crop performance with the ability to control problem weeds such as wild mustard and stinkweed — weeds that are not controlled by existing herbicides. Plus, the system outperforms traditional pre-emergent canola herbicides on weeds such as foxtail, wild oats, kochia, chickweed, pigweed, lambsquarter and others. 

Company news release
N2520