LI B E RT Y LI N K

THE LIBERTYLINK TRAIT IN SOYBEANS

Liberty herbicide with the LibertyLink trait provides the most reliable weed management solution available. LibertyLink varieties are high-yielding, with no yield drag or lag. LibertyLink varieties have built-in tolerance to Liberty herbicide, providing excellent crop safety. Liberty is a nonselective contact herbicide that provides postemergence control of broadleaf and grass weeds, including weeds resistant to glyphosate and multiple herbicide classes. Liberty has a unique mode of action (Group 10) that offers a nonselective choice for Integrated Weed Management plans.

S OY B E A N S

APPLICATION INFORMATION & BEST WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Weed resistance is a serious threat to row crop production. Intensive management is required to avoid or manage weed resistance, especially with driver weeds such as Palmer amaranth. Use all practical means to avoid any escaped weeds going to seed in or around fields. Robust herbicide rates, multiple modes of action and overlapping soil-applied residual herbicides from burndown through canopy closure are important practices. Proper stewardship of Liberty herbicide is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of LibertyLink technology and to prevent the development of weeds resistant to Liberty. Rotating crops, traits and modes of action allows for diversity within a herbicide program and sustains the longevity of any given herbicide chemistry. Use cultural, mechanical and chemical weed control methods as necessary to ensure weeds do not produce viable seed and to prevent weed escapes from going to seed and depositing in the seed bank. Multiple practices to manage or delay herbicide resistance are essential as no single strategy is totally effective. TANKMIX PARTNERS FOR LIBERTY ON LIBERTYLINK SOYBEANS Assure II (1*) Classic (2) clethodim (1) Cobra (14) FirstRate (2) Fierce (14, 15) Flexstar (14) Fusilade DX (1) Fusion (1) Harmony GT (2) metolachlor (15) OpTill (2, 14)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LIBERTYLINK SOYBEANS

Weed Control Program 1st Post Application (Emergence to 14 days) Liberty at 29 fl oz/A plus residual herbicide 2nd Post Application

Scenario One

Residual pre-emergence, PPI or at planting

If needed, Liberty at 29 fl oz/A Liberty at 29 fl oz/A applied 10 days after the first application

Scenario Two

Environmental conditions prevent timely application

Liberty at 36 fl oz/A plus residual herbicide

1. Start Clean. Start with a clean, weed-free field by using an effective burndown application or conventional tillage. 2. Stay Clean. Use an Overlapping Residual Weed Control Program. Be aggressive with early season weed management to avoid yield loss and weed escapes. Residual herbicides applied at burndown, pre-emergence and/or tankmixed in the first post application help ensure optimal weed management, particularly if environmental conditions delay timely post applications. Apply a broad-spectrum, pre-emergence or pre-plant incorporated residual herbicide such as: Authority Assist (2*, 14), Authority First (2, 14), Enlite (2, 14), Envive (2, 14), metolachlor (15), metribuzin (5), Prefix (14, 15), Sonic (2), Valor (14), Valor XLT (2, 14) or Warrant (15). Consider expected weed species and populations as well as environmental variables in the area when selecting a residual herbicide. 3. Scenario One Residual Used Pre-emergence, PPI or At Planting: a. Apply Liberty at 29 fl oz/A over the top of LibertyLink soybeans from emergence to 14 days after crop emergence or when weeds are no more than 3 inches to 4 inches tall. b. Apply Liberty at 29 fl oz/A on an as-needed basis following the first application at 29 fl oz/A.

4. Scenario Two Environmental Conditions Prevent Timely Application: a. If environmental conditions prevent timely Liberty application, a single application of up to 36 fl oz/A may be made. b. If 36 fl oz/A is used for the first application, a second application of 29 fl oz/A should be made 10 days after the first application. Increase water and shorten interval between post applications if canopy is heavy. 5. Additives: Ammonium sulfate (AMS) can be used at a rate of 1.5 lb/A to 3 lb/A. Rates are dependent on temperature and potential for leaf burn. 6. Maximum Seasonal Use: Up to 65 fl oz/A of Liberty can be applied on soybeans per growing season. 7. Additional Use Directions: a. Make all Liberty applications 70 days before soybean harvest. b. Make all Liberty applications before soybeans begin to bloom. Consult state Extension service for additional information on prebloom period for soybeans in a state. c. Maximum single application use rate: 36 fl oz/A.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND LIBERTYLINK SOYBEANS

Bayer CropScience has broadly licensed the LibertyLink trait to combine high-yielding genetics with the powerful, nonselective, postemergence weed control of Liberty. LibertyLink soybeans are marketed by more than 100 seed companies, including HBK Seed. Refer to www.LinkUp.BayerCropScience.us for more information. Bayer CropScience continues to collaborate with leading soybean breeding programs to develop high-yielding LibertyLink soybean varieties for growers in the United States and Canada. Varieties developed are widely adapted and demonstrate yield and agronomic performance as good as or better than the best available commercial checks.

Phoenix (14) Poast Plus (1) Prefix (14, 15) Pursuit (2) Raptor (2) Reflex (14) Resource (14) Select Max (1) Sharpen (14) Synchrony XP (2) Ultra Blazer (14)

*Numbers in parentheses denote herbicide MOA as designated by the Weed Science Society of America.

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*Numbers in parentheses denote herbicide MOA as designated by the Weed Science Society of America.

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LI B E RT Y LI N K
d. Do not apply Liberty if soybeans show injury from prior herbicide applications or environmental stress. e. Liberty is not labeled for application through irrigation systems. f. Liberty-treated fields should not be grazed or used for hay. Foxtail (giant, green) Lambsquarters Velvetleaf Cocklebur Amaranth (Palmer, redroot and tumble) Common waterhemp Giant ragweed Morningglory Marestail2 Johnsongrass
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S OY B E A N S

TOP 10 MOST FREqUENTLY SPRAYED WEEDS IN SOYBEANS

Max. Weed Height with Liberty at 29 fl oz/A1 12 6 4 14 4 5 12 8 6-12 5

YIELD LOSS DUE TO COMPETITION

Weeds that emerge with the crop, or shortly thereafter, have the greatest potential to negatively affect yields. The yield loss associated with this flush of weeds is strongly influenced by how long weeds are allowed to remain in the field and compete with crops for light, water and nutrients. Residual herbicides can improve weed control, reduce problematic weeds and extend the time period between planting and the first postemergence treatment of Liberty herbicide. This allows for flexibility when weather conditions prevent timely postemergence applications. Additionally, using a residual herbicide in your weed control program introduces another herbicide mode of action in the field, improving your resistance management program. According to a 2010 University of Tennessee study4, cotton and soybean growers lost nearly $138 million due to glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. Their weed control costs also increased as follows: $78.5 million in increased herbicide costs $35 per acre on 1.6 million soybean acres $55 per acre on 0.4 million cotton acres $10 million in increased application costs $5 per acre on 2 million acres

Confirmed GlyphosateResistant Weeds

the study shows there is a two percent yield loss for every soybean leaf stage delay in applying a nonselective herbicide to the crop during the critical time for weed removal.

YIELD LOSS EXAMPLES

Studies out of North Carolina State University and the University of Georgia6 in 2012 show soybean yield loss of as much as 68 percent as a result of Palmer amaranth interference at a density of one plant per square foot. Season-long competition by waterhemp (more than 20 plants per square foot) reduced soybean yields 44 percent in 30-inch rows and 37 percent in 7.5-inch rows. Waterhemp that emerged as late as the V5 soybean growth stage reduced yields up to 10 percent 7. $/Bushel $10 Lost $/A* from waterhemp Lost $/A* from Palmer amaranth Lost $/1,000 A* from waterhemp Lost $/1,000 A* from Palmer amaranth $220 $340 $22,000 $34,000 $11 $242 $374 $24,200 $37,400 $12 $264 $408 $26,400 $40,800

KEY APPLICATION POINTS TO REMEMBER

Uniform, thorough spray coverage is essential to achieve consistent performance. Use nozzles and pressure that generate a medium-size spray droplet. Use 15 GPA (for dense canopies, increase water volume). Maximum performance is achieved when applied to actively growing weeds. Apply from emergence to bloom growth stage. Sequential applications should be made at 10 days after the first application, prior to bloom. Liberty is rainfast in four hours.

If more than 29 fl oz/A are used in any single application, see current label for additional use directions. 2 May require sequential applications for control.

People need to carefully evaluate their current programs to see the selection pressure put on weeds and modify their programs to increase the diversity of their management tactics.
-Bob Hartzler, Iowa State University

$49.35 million due to glyphosate-resistant weed competition 30 percent of soybean acres at 17 percent loss 15 percent of cotton acres at 25 percent loss A study conducted by the University of Nebraska5 determined that the critical period for weed removal in soybeans is based upon the soybean row spacing. For soybeans planted in 30-, 15-, and 7.5-inch rows, the critical removal time is V3, V2 and first trifoliate, respectively. Furthermore,

*Based on a delay of 3-leaf stages resulting in a 6 percent loss of yield. Start yield at 50 bu/A.

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4,5,6,7

See page 36 for source information.

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