JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (DTN) -- More than 12,000 attendees descended on the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio last week for the Commodity Classic, billed as "America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience."

In addition to more than 30 educational sessions, the event's trade show featured more than 400 exhibitors showcasing agricultural technology and solutions. Here are some of the latest developments that will be of interest to farmers this growing season and beyond.

NEMASPHERE SCN TRAIT

Initially announced in 2024, BASF's transgenic trait for combating soybean cyst nematode (SCN) remains poised for commercial launch in 2028. The novel bacterium-derived trait produces a protein that, when ingested by a nematode, eventually leads to its death, similar to Bt trait technologies that have been used for insect control in corn and soybeans previously.

Bryan Perry, BASF's head of U.S. seed and traits, told DTN that from a regulatory standpoint, the Nemasphere trait is slightly ahead of schedule. It's been fully deregulated in the United States and received a positive opinion from the European Union this past December.

BASF currently has 28 soybean varieties in development ranging from Group 0 to Group 4.5 maturity. All carry the Enlist E3 herbicide trait package as well as HPPD tolerance, providing a different mode of action for preemergent weed control.

'ADAPTING TO ESA' VIDEO SERIES

It's been roughly 18 months since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its Herbicide Strategy for protecting threatened and endangered species from herbicide exposure. To help farmers, agricultural retailers and pesticide applicators understand and comply with pesticide labels that contain Endangered Species Act (ESA) language, a new set of resources has been developed.

The "Adapting to ESA" video series helps explain how to determine if any runoff and spray drift requirements need to be met, as well as how to use EPA's online compliance tools -- Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) and the Pesticide App for Label Mitigations (PALM). Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia Extension weed scientist, moderates the instructional videos, which were developed by CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology.

Find the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/….

NEW ACTIVES FROM BAYER

Dominik Hoffmann, Bayer's portfolio manager for selective herbicides for corn, soybeans and cotton, told DTN the company intends to bring seven new active ingredients to the market between 2026 and 2032.

The first in line will likely be diflufenican, a Group 12 herbicide coming to market as Convintro. Bayer is still hopeful to bring the preemergent residual to the U.S. market for the 2026 market year as a means for controlling Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. It was proposed for registration last summer by EPA and is awaiting final approval. The herbicide is already in use by farmers in Brazil.

Also, in development in the Bayer pipeline is icafolin, which Hoffman described as the first new active ingredient for postemergence herbicides in more than 30 years. The Group 23 molecule is currently being evaluated for initial use in soybeans, cereal and pulse crops with expected availability in the 2028-2029 timeframe.

GDM SEED BRAND SHUFFLE

Last summer, GDM, a global plant genetics company based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, announced the acquisition of AgReliant Genetics. During Commodity Classic, the company outlined its brand realignment plans for 2026 and beyond as it merges its Mustang Seeds, Revere and Donmario brands with the AgriGold and LG Seeds brands.

Austin Horn, Mustang Seeds brand lead, told DTN that Mustang Seeds will be the brand serving the northern Corn Belt states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The AgriGold brand will serve farmers throughout the central Corn Belt.

Producers Hybrids, a brand that had been retired, will return and be available in Texas and the West Coast. LG Seeds will continue a presence in 2026 but it will be retired following the season. The Revere and Donmario brands will remain unchanged.

Horn added in 2027, GDM plans to expand offerings of its Voltis soybeans, which feature the Enlist E3 trait package and were previously marketed under the Mustang Seeds brand.

FUNGICIDE TIMING TOOL

While Pioneer dedicated a good portion of its booth space to celebrating the brand's 100th anniversary (read more about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…), the company also unveiled its Fungicide Timing Solution, an integrated approach designed to help corn growers make more confident, data-driven fungicide application decisions and protect yield potential.

Trenton Brisby, Corteva agronomy innovation marketing manager, told DTN that the tool uses advanced data science and artificial intelligence analytics to predict disease onset and identify the optimal spray window based on specific field conditions.

He shared that in trials where the tool was combined with Pioneer hybrids and Forcivo, Corteva's new fungicide with three modes of action, applications made at the recommended timing provided a yield advantage of 5 to 10 bushels per acre. The tool is available to Pioneer customers through their local dealer.

NEW SOYBEANS FROM SYNGENTA

While the trait stack offering tolerance to six herbicide active ingredients was previously announced by Syngenta and M.S. Technologies late last summer, it didn't have a brand name until Commodity Classic.

Enlist E3 Expance soybeans will have tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D choline paired with the FG72 event that confers tolerance to three HPPD inhibitor chemistries -- mesotrione, bicyclopyrone and isoxaflutole -- more than any other trait stack on the market, according to Jared Benson, Syngenta's head of soybean portfolio strategy. He told DTN that pending regulatory approvals, Expance soybeans are anticipated for commercial availability in 2029.

Last summer, Benson said that once approved, the new trait stack will be marketed by Syngenta under its Golden Harvest and NK Seed brands, as well as through the GreenLeaf Genetics licensing brand. M.S. Technologies intends to release soybean varieties through Stine Seed Co., Merschman Seeds and Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.

Commodity Classic is the official trade show and convention for four major commodity organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, along with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The 2027 edition is slated for March 3-5 in New Orleans. Learn more here: https://commodityclassic.com/….

Jason Jenkins can be reached at jason.jenkins@dtn.com

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