Bayer CropScience is providing growers with three new varieties of cotton to choose from for the 2016 growing season.  Their new line up consists of one FiberMax and two Stoneville plants, each with the proprietary Bayer traits of GlyTol, LibertyLink and TwinLink technologies.

GlyTol and LibertyLink traits offer weed control with over-the-top use of glyphostate and Liberty herbicides.  The TwinLink technology gives two Bt genes for protection against cotton bollworm, pink bollworm and tobacco bud worm, among other pests.

“We’re excited to announce these new FiberMax and Stoneville varieties for 2016 because they expand our current variety portfolio and help address real challenges to production issues that growers face year-to-year on their individual farms,” says Jeff Brehmer, U.S. product manager for FiberMax and Stoneville. “U.S. cotton growers know what they need in challenging, often adverse, conditions. Our goal is to work with them in an ongoing cooperative effort to give them new tools each year to help them realize their maximum profit potential.”

Regional cotton agronomists test new FiberMax and Stoneville varieties annually through Cotton Agronomic Performance (CAP) trials across the Cotton Belt. CAP trials provide on-farm experience so growers and consultants can evaluate how varieties perform across different soil types, geographical regions, farming practices and water-management techniques.

Bayer begins the process of variety development by surveying stakeholders about the production challenges growers face regarding cottonseed varieties. Researchers, breeders and agronomists then work together to develop varieties for improved fiber quality, higher yield potential and increased profits.

“When we introduce new FiberMax and Stoneville varieties to growers, our goal is to provide solutions to their cotton production challenges with options that complement our current cottonseed portfolio,” Brehmer said. “Our researchers and breeders continue to select and improve varieties for water-use efficiency, insect and nematode tolerance, and superior fiber characteristics and yield potential with the ultimate goal of providing the very best available germplasm on the market for ultimate profitability.”

You can read about each of the new varieties in Bayer’s news release.