Beltwide Cotton Genetics, LLC will offer multiple stacked Bollgard II®/Roundup Ready® Flex varieties in 2006.  They are currently growing at 77 locations from Texas to the Carolinas so as many growers as possible can see them perform locally.  The varieties range from early to full-season maturities and are currently in seed production.

“We’re excited about finally being able to offer stacked-gene cottons in ’06” says Rick Rice, Director of Marketing and Sales for Beltwide.  “We made a conscious decision to skip the development of traditional Bollgard® with Roundup Ready® cotton in order to speed the development of our Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex varieties.  Our varieties were bred from advanced germplasm by our breeder, Tom Kilgore.

“We believe Roundup Ready Flex technology will allow farmers to grow cleaner cotton, faster, on more acres than has ever been possible before.  With ‘Flex technology’, farmers can park their hooded sprayers and cultivators in favor of over-the-top applications of Roundup all the way through layby.”

Bollgard II is the second-generation of insect-protected cotton developed by Monsanto. The technology contains two different insect-control genes, offering broader spectrum insect control with less potential for insect resistance compared to its predecessor Bollgard.  Roundup Ready Flex technology is the second-generation of herbicide-tolerant cotton from Monsanto that is labeled for higher rates and later over-the-top sprays of Roundup than the original Roundup Ready cotton technology.

In 2006 Beltwide will offer the same seed technology as the other major cotton seed companies.  However, Beltwide differs from other seed companies.  Rice says, “Growers have told us that our replant guarantee and our $50 per bag satisfaction guarantee prove that not only do we believe in our product, we’re willing to take a risk with them.  

“Additionally, we concentrate solely on U.S. cotton producers.  We don’t sell our seed to foreign countries—we don’t believe in training our competitors.  Our family-owned business doesn’t answer to corporate boards; we answer only to U.S. cotton growers.”     

Beltwide Cotton Genetics, LLC, a family-owned business, is committed to providing the latest transgenic traits in elite germplasm that offers high yield potential and excellent fiber quality.  Beltwide offers field performance and turnrow service.  For more information and performance data, go to www.beltwidecottongenetics.com.

Beltwide Cotton Genetics® is a registered trademark of Lawhon Farm Services, Inc.

Bollgard®, Bollgard II®, Roundup® and Roundup Ready® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC.