As harvest wraps up across Iowa, many farmers are already turning their attention to 2026 and the tools they will need to stay ahead of stubborn weeds. Weed pressure itself was not overwhelming this year, but the challenge remains constant. Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth continue to test herbicide programs across the state, and many growers are looking for better ways to manage resistance and protect yields.
DEKALB/ASGROW technical agronomist Lance Goettsch says that even with strong herbicide systems already available, there are new technologies on the horizon that could give farmers more flexibility and control.
Goettsch says the goal behind the new Viconix soybean system is to relieve some of the strain on existing chemistries by broadening the range of control options. The system will target tough weeds like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, which continue to test herbicide programs across Iowa.
He says farmers can expect to see the technology in test plots during 2026, with limited commercial release the following year. Goettsch adds that managing weed resistance starts with variety and trait selection, and having multiple effective herbicides available will help farmers stay ahead of problems before they spread.
Bayer also has a new Group 12 herbicide in the works called Conventro, which targets some of the toughest weeds on both corn and soybean acres.
Goettsch says both new products are designed to give farmers flexibility in managing resistance and keeping their weed programs sustainable for years to come. With pressure from aggressive weeds showing no sign of slowing, he says every new chemistry and trait combination makes a difference in keeping Iowa’s fields cleaner and more productive.
