From Flood to Drought: Enlist E3® Soybeans Prove Reliable
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In a season that brought 50 inches of rain by July, followed by drought in August, southern Indiana farmer Chris Cochenour still harvested soybean yields in the 50s and 60s with NuTech brand Enlist E3® soybeans—better than expected in such a tough year. “Everybody expected it to be bad,” Chris explains. “Because of the drought, we all thought the crop would really struggle. It’s been bad, but it hasn’t been absolutely terrible. That’s been a pleasant surprise.”
A Family Farm and Dealer Perspective
Chris and his wife, Katrina, farm 5,000 acres alongside his dad, brother, uncles, and cousins as part of a third-generation family business. In addition to growing crops, he operates as a NuTech Seed dealer through his company, Innovative Ag, assisting other farmers with seed and input decisions. This dual role—farmer and dealer—gives Chris a unique perspective on how products perform under real-world conditions.
Enlist E3® trait in the Program
This year, Chris planted Enlist E3® soybeans on roughly half of his acres and appreciates how the system fits into a disciplined agronomy program. “I’m a big fan of multiple modes of action,” Chris says. “We use layered residuals early, stay on top of fertility and micronutrients, and make timely in-season decisions.” That integrated approach, combined with the flexibility of Enlist E3 herbicides, provides confidence when weather and markets are unpredictable.
Managing Challenging Soils
Managing soils with very little organic matter adds another challenge to Chris’s farm. Southern Indiana soils often measure just 1.5 to 2 percent organic matter, so he relies on careful fertility management, biologicals, and soil health practices to keep yields strong. Enlist E3 soybeans fit into that program, supporting consistency even when the ground itself is demanding.
Support from NuTech Seed
Chris also emphasizes the value of his partnership with NuTech Seed. He says the people behind the brand make the difference. “Everyone I’ve dealt with—from agronomists to sales—have been nothing but the best,” he says. “They’re very friendly, very open, and they take my criticism well. I don’t criticize to argue; I do it because I know we can all do better. NuTech has met that with open arms.”
That willingness to listen and adapt reflects how Chris manages his own operations. During the off-season, he carefully reviews the results from every field to identify trends and adjust for the upcoming year. He encourages customers to do the same, using Enlist E3 soybeans as a key part of a flexible, long-term management plan.
For Chris, success depends on resilience in both farming practices and product performance. His advice to other growers is simple: don’t leave your seed decision to chance. “Review your fields, look at what worked, and make adjustments going forward,” he says. “Enlist E3 soybeans are a key part of that plan for us.”
After another tough season in southern Indiana, Chris is confident in the dependable results NuTech brand Enlist E3 soybeans provide. He encourages other farmers to build that same confidence by talking with their local NuTech dealer and develop a program that fits their fields.
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The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C.
Following burndown, Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides with Colex-D® technology are the only herbicides containing 2,4-D that are authorized for preemergence and postemergence use with Enlist® crops. Consult Enlist® herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for use or sale in all states and counties; are not registered in AK, CA, CT, HI, ID, MA, ME, MT, NH, NV, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA and WY; and have additional subcounty restrictions in AL, GA, TN and TX, while existing county restrictions still remain in FL. All users must check “Bulletins Live! Two” no earlier than six months before using Enlist One or Enlist Duo. To obtain “Bulletins,” consult epa.gov/espp/, call 1-844-447-3813, or email ESPP@epa.gov. You must use the “Bulletin” valid for the month and state and county in which Enlist One or Enlist Duo are being applied. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency if you have questions about the registration status of Enlist® herbicides in your area. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO USE ANY PESTICIDE PRODUCT OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS LABELING. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. USE OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, 2,4-D-CONTAINING PRODUCTS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH ENLIST CROPS, MAY RESULT IN OFF-TARGET DAMAGE TO SENSITIVE CROPS/AREAS AND/OR SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS, IN ADDITION TO CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Additional product-specific stewardship requirements for Enlist crops, including the Enlist Product Use Guide, can be found at www.traitstewardship.com.