Pioneer, a brand synonymous with agricultural innovation for 50 years, is excited to announce the commercial launch of Pioneer® brand Z-Series soybeans in the United States and Canada. This groundbreaking new series represents a significant leap forward in soybean breeding, offering farmers an unmatched combination of superior yield potential and enhanced disease resistance.
“Z-Series soybeans are not just an incremental improvement; they signify a generational advancement in yield potential and overall agronomic performance, surpassing any soybean lineup Pioneer has ever introduced,” states Liz Knutson, Pioneer U.S. Soybean Marketing Lead. “Marking the fifth soybean series in Pioneer’s illustrious 50-year history of soybean breeding, each series has historically introduced transformative trait technologies and performance benchmarks. Z-Series continues this legacy, setting a new gold standard for Pioneer Soybeans.”
Unlocking Unprecedented Yield Advantages with Pioneer Soybeans
While Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans have long been recognized for their exceptional yields, the Z-Series is poised to redefine yield expectations. Extensive IMPACT™ trials conducted in 2023 revealed that Pioneer Z-Series soybeans delivered an average yield increase of 2.7 bushels per acre compared to A-Series soybeans. This yield advantage translates to an impressive $35 per acre increase in return on investment for farmers based on current market values.
Don Kyle, Pioneer Soybean Breeding Evaluation Lead, emphasizes the revolutionary nature of this breakthrough: “In soybean breeding, incremental gains are the norm. Witnessing a yield advantage of this magnitude with Z-Series soybeans was truly exceptional from the outset. It was clear we had developed something groundbreaking for Pioneer soybeans.”
Kyle further explains the robustness of the data: “These results aren’t based on isolated observations. Years of comprehensive data consistently demonstrate that Z-Series soybeans are the top-performing varieties across various maturity groups. This consistent high performance is something we are confident farmers will observe firsthand in their fields and on their yield monitors.”
Enhanced Disease Resistance and Localized Performance for Pioneer Soybeans
Beyond the substantial yield advantage, the Z-Series soybeans are engineered for robust disease and pest resistance. They exhibit significantly improved resistance scores against critical soybean diseases, including sudden death syndrome (SDS), brown stem rot, white mold, and iron deficiency chlorosis.
“The enhanced and broad-spectrum disease resistance in Pioneer soybeans is a direct result of our dedicated R&D efforts at the local level,” Kyle notes. “Our breeders leverage one of the world’s largest and most diverse soybean germplasm libraries. Coupled with our extensive localized breeding and testing programs, we are able to develop varieties that excel across diverse geographies and environmental conditions. This ensures they can withstand significant disease pressure while consistently delivering industry-leading yields.”
Z-Series soybeans also offer significantly enhanced protection against soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and Phytophthora. Notably, thirteen new varieties will feature stacked Peking and Phytophthora resistance – the most comprehensive resistance package ever introduced in a single year for Pioneer soybeans.
Knutson highlights the strategic importance of this advancement: “With the introduction of Z-Series Pioneer soybeans featuring Peking and Phytophthora resistance, we are proactively expanding Peking resistance into new maturity groups. This provides farmers with more effective tools to combat SCN resistance, a growing concern for soybean producers. We remain committed to investing significant research and development efforts into resistance solutions for SDS, SCN, and Phytophthora.”
Comprehensive Herbicide Trait Portfolio for Pioneer Z-Series Soybeans
Pioneer is launching an extensive portfolio of over 50 new Z-Series soybean varieties in the U.S. and 20 varieties in Canada, ensuring a wide selection to meet diverse farmer needs.
- The vast majority of these varieties incorporate the Enlist E3™ soybean trait, providing tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate (Liberty® herbicide). This offers farmers unparalleled in-season weed control flexibility and is a crucial tool in mitigating the development of herbicide-resistant weeds, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of weed management strategies for Pioneer soybeans.
- Specifically for the Southern U.S. region, four new varieties will feature BOLT® technology and the STS® gene.
“We anticipate that Z-Series varieties with BOLT technology will be particularly beneficial for farmers employing reduced-till and no-till practices in the Southern U.S.,” Knutson explains. “BOLT varieties stand out as the only soybeans that can be planted immediately following burndown applications of LeadOff® or Basis® Blend herbicides, granting these farmers significantly greater planting-time flexibility and streamlining their operations with Pioneer soybeans.”
Broad Availability of Pioneer Z-Series Soybeans for the 2025 Planting Season
While limited quantities of Z-Series soybeans will be available for the 2024 planting season, Pioneer is gearing up for full-scale availability for the 2025 planting season. The Z-Series portfolio will encompass relative maturity groups ranging from 00.3 to 6.4, ensuring that farmers across North America have access to Pioneer soybean varieties optimally suited to their specific geographic and climatic conditions.
“If there ever was a soybean series poised to deliver a truly transformative and tangible difference, it is the Z-Series,” concludes Knutson. “The exceptional performance we are seeing is not confined to specific seasons or limited observations. Years of robust data unequivocally validate the performance advantages of Z-Series soybeans. This is why we are so confident and enthusiastic for farmers to experience the yield and agronomic performance firsthand. We are certain they will quickly recognize the smart choice – planting Z-Series Pioneer soybeans.”
To discover more about Pioneer ® brand Z-Series soybeans and how they can elevate your soybean production, connect with your local Pioneer sales representative or visit Pioneer.com.
About Pioneer
Pioneer, the flagship seed brand of Corteva Agriscience, stands as the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics. For farmers across more than 90 countries, Pioneer delivers high-quality seeds, backed by comprehensive agronomic support and services. Pioneer is committed to enhancing farmer productivity and profitability while fostering sustainable agricultural systems globally.
About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global, pure-play agriculture company that integrates industry-leading innovation, close customer collaboration, and efficient operations to provide effective solutions for the world’s pressing agricultural challenges. Corteva leverages its unique distribution strategy and balanced portfolio of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services to create market preference. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a robust technology pipeline, Corteva is dedicated to maximizing farmer productivity and working collaboratively across the food system to enrich lives and ensure progress for future generations. For additional information, please visit 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.
