Pioneer Introduces New High-yield, High-performing Z-Series Soybeans
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New varieties deliver a “generational leap” in yield potential
New varieties deliver a “generational leap” in yield potential
JOHNSTON, Iowa, February 28, 2024 — Building on 50 years of leadership and innovation in soybean research and variety development, Pioneer announces the commercial availability of Pioneer® brand Z-Series soybeans in the United States and Canada. This new class of soybeans offers farmers a significant yield advantage and better disease resistance.
“Z-Series soybeans represent the next step forward for soybean farmers, with a generational leap in yield potential and agronomic performance over any soybean line-up Pioneer has ever introduced,” said Liz Knutson, Pioneer U.S. Soybean Marketing Lead. “It is the fifth soybean series Pioneer has introduced in its 50-years of soybean breeding, with each series signaling trait technology innovations and transitions that set new standards for Pioneer soybean performance.”
Nearly 3 bu/A advantage over Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans
While Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans are notable throughout the industry for their yields, Pioneer expects Z-Series varieties to set a new benchmark for soybean yield potential. In extensive 2023 IMPACT™ trials, Z-Series soybeans showed an average yield advantage of 2.7 bu/A over A-Series soybeans, equating to an additional $35/acre USD return on investment.1
“The level of disease resistance and number of traits doesn’t matter if the genetics don’t yield,” said Don Kyle, Pioneer Soybean Breeding Evaluation Lead. “But with Z-Series soybeans, it was obvious from the beginning that we had something revolutionary.
“In the breeding world, we’re used to seeing small, incremental changes so a yield advantage like this is significant,” Kyle continued. “And the numbers aren’t just based on limited observations; we have years of data that have repeatedly shown Z-Series soybeans to be the highest-yielding varieties in each of the maturity groups – something we’re sure farmers will notice in the field and on the yield monitor.”
Localized performance and disease protection traits
In addition to a significant average yield advantage, this new class of soybeans offers outstanding disease and pest resistance. It features improved scores in sudden death syndrome (SDS), brown stem rot, white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis.
“The level and range of disease resistance serves as a testament to our R&D initiatives at a local level,” Kyle said. “Our breeders have access to one of the largest and most diverse soybean germplasm libraries in the world. From there, our extensive localized breeding and testing program allows us to deliver varieties that perform across a wide range of geographies and environments so they can withstand heavy disease pressure while delivering industry-leading yields.”
Z-Series soybeans also will deliver significantly improved protection against soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and Phytophthora. Thirteen new varieties will offer stacked Peking and Phytophthora resistance, the most ever introduced in a single year.
“With the new Z-Series soybeans with Peking and Phytophthora resistance, Pioneer will start to move Peking resistance into new maturity groups, giving farmers more tools to help fight SCN resistance,” Knutson said. “This is a critical issue for soybean farmers, and we’ll continue to devote time and research efforts to SDS, SCN and Phytophthora resistance.”
A complete range of herbicide traits
Pioneer is launching more than 50 new Z-Series soybean varieties in the U.S. and 20 varieties in Canada.
“We expect Z-Series varieties with BOLT technology will be especially valuable for reduced-till and no-till farmers in the Southern U.S.,” Knutson said. “The BOLT varieties are the only soybeans that can be planted immediately after burndown applications of LeadOff® or Basis® Blend herbicides, giving those farmers a greater degree of planting-time flexibility.”
Full availability for 2025 planting season
Pioneer will offer limited availability of Z-Series soybeans for the 2024 planting season, with greater quantities available for 2025. Z-Series varieties will range from relative maturity 00.3 to relative maturity 6.4 – providing farmers across North America access to varieties that fit their needs.
“If there ever was a class of soybeans that was going to offer something truly, tangibly different, Z-Series soybeans are it,” Knutson said. “The performance is not something we’ve seen in just select seasons or through limited observation. We have several years’ worth of data proving the performance advantages of Z-Series soybeans – and that’s why we’re so confident and excited for farmers to see the yield and the agronomic performance for themselves. We believe they’ll decide very quickly that it’s smart to plant Z-Series soybeans.”
To learn more about Pioneer ® brand Z-Series soybeans, talk with your local Pioneer sales representative or visit Pioneer.com.
About Pioneer
Pioneer, the flagship seed brand of Corteva Agriscience, is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere.
About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
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1Data is based on an average of 2023 IMPACT™ trial comparisons made in the U.S. through December 1, 2023. Comparisons are against current A-Series varieties and within a +/- 3 RM.
Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents.
The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3™ soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C.
Liberty®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are registered trademarks of BASF.
Always follow stewardship practices in accordance with the Product Use Guide (PUG) or other product-specific stewardship requirements including grain marketing and pesticide label directions. Varieties with BOLT® technology provide excellent plant-back flexibility for soybeans following application of sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides such as DuPont™ LeadOff® or DuPont™ Basis® Blend as a component of a burndown program or for double-crop soybeans following SU herbicides such as DuPont™ Finesse® applied to wheat the previous fall.
STS® APPROVED HERBICIDE STATEMENT: This variety contains a trait providing enhanced tolerance to specific sulfonylurea soybean herbicides such as Synchrony® XP and Classic® and any additional herbicides to be developed and as clearly noted on their herbicide label. YOU MUST SIGN A TECHNOLOGY USE AGREEMENT, READ THE PRODUCT USE GUIDE PRIOR TO PLANTING. The STS® gene will not safeguard this variety against other herbicide chemistries which are labeled to be used only over-the-top of crops that have a different and specified herbicide resistant gene. Always read and follow herbicide directions prior to use. ACCIDENTAL APPLICATION OF INCOMPATIBLE HERBICIDES TO THIS VARIETY COULD RESULT IN TOTAL CROP LOSS.
Bretton Davie
Communications Leader - Canada
(587)-575-6404
bretton.davie@corteva.com