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Soybean researcher pleased with China decision on new traits

A positive development for growers in this week’s U.S.-China trade talks is China’s announcement to allow more genetically-engineered soybeans into their market—including the long-awaited Enlist E3 soybeans from DowDuPont.

University of Wisconsin soybean expert Shawn Conley says allowing those additional soybean traits is good news for farmers hoping to sell those commodities. Conley says, “It’s always good in a competitive atmosphere to have more than one technology available to farmers.”

Conley tells Brownfield the ability to use these tools can help keep weeds from quickly developing resistance to one particular technology.  But, he is concerned about the availability of the product this year. “I know the companies have been ramping this up in the background, but its been sitting for so long, there might not be a huge group of availability of varieties that have the E3 trait in it, so that could, you know, push us back a year in terms of having a widespread broad adoption of using this technology.”

Also, he says, there are countries like the Philippines that have not approved some of the new traits, which has manufacturers holding back on releasing some of the products.  In addition to the Enlist E3 soybeans, China also approved Pioneer’s Qrome (chrome) corn, MGI soybeans, and two canola varieties.