Customer Research Powers New Product Development at Corteva Why Corteva Focuses on Range & Pasture in its Research and Development Efforts At Corteva Agriscience, research and development (R&D) is not just another department — it’s the engine that drives the company’s mission to enrich the lives of producers and consumers while ensuring progress for generations to come. Customer-focused research in Range & Pasture is an important part of that process, explains Byron Sleugh, Ph.D., Crop Health R&D Integrated Biology Center of Expertise Leader with Corteva. “Customer-focused research is at the heart of our product development program because, around the globe, 40% of the Earth’s surface is covered by grassland and 70% of agricultural land is grassland,” he says. “It’s an important part of our business as we strive to provide solutions for those who manage the land.”
White clover contributes higher levels of magnesium than grasses, which can help reduce the risk of grass tetany in Livestock.
Better Pastures Start with NovaGraz ™ Herbicide Discover five key benefits of our newest pasture solution. NovaGraz™ herbicide is a grass and white clover pastures, NovaGraz improves both forage 3 No soil residual activity. NovaGraz offers a short plant- back interval for pastures and
reproductive success, milk production and weaning weights in cattle herds. In fact, the presence of legumes In tall fescue pastures has been shown to increase conception rates by up to 25%. Additionally, maintaining white clover and annual lespedeza in pastures allows producers to reduce fescue toxicosis, which can increase stocker average gain by up to 50%.* With NovaGraz, you no longer have to sacrifice the benefits of white clover in your pastures in order to control weeds. By preserving plants that improve soil nitrogen, enhance forage quality and support cattle health, NovaGraz gives cattle producers a more reliable way to achieve healthier pastures, more productive livestock and stronger returns on investment. To dig deeper into the benefits of using NovaGraz and see the numbers for yourself, visit NovaGraz.us/ ByTheNumbersSteward. References: 1 Sleugh, B., Corteva, et al. Can I Keep My Clover? Rinskor Active: A New Herbicide Enabling Selective Broadleaf Weed Control in White Clover-Grass Pastures. Weed Science Society of America-Western Society of Weed Science Joint Meeting, March 2-4, 2020, Maui, HI. 2 Adapted from Southern Forages, 2007, 2015. *150 lbs. N Per Acre Per Year | Source: Hoveland, et al., Alabama Agric. Exp. Stn. #530
yield and utilization. In fact, research trials have shown a 21% increase in forage yield in pastures treated with NovaGraz compared with untreated ones. 1 With more forage, a pasture acre feeds more cattle or the same number of cattle longer. 2 Soil fertility benefits. Controlling broadleaf weeds while preserving white clover ensures the preservation of nitrogen-fixing legumes, allowing captured nitrogen to be utilized by the desirable forage not the weeds. This can raise soil nitrogen annually by up to 150 pounds per acre, representing a value of around
native plantings, allowing a faster return to forage use. Plant-back intervals are 14 days for forage grasses and 30 days for forage legumes — which makes NovaGraz herbicide perfect to use in areas like pastures where extended residual activity is undesirable and costly. Zero soil carryover allows for immediate grazing post-application and continuous forage productivity. 4 Healthier cattle herds. NovaGraz allows white clover and annual lespedeza to remain part of the pasture forage, offering key health benefits to livestock. White clover can improve cattle health by offsetting diseases and disorders associated with grazing certain forages. White clover also contains higher levels of magnesium than grasses, which helps reduce risk of grass tetany, a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Legumes are also high in protein, minerals, vitamins and they promote digestibility, boosting cow/calf productivity and weight gain. 5 Improvements in cattle performance. Maintaining nutritious legumes with NovaGraz can directly benefit animal productivity through improved body condition,
groundbreaking pasture weed control solution, that controls many broadleaf weeds but preserves white clover and annual lespedeza. That balance leads to healthier pastures, improved plant diversity and stronger return on investment. Here are five key benefits of using NovaGraz herbicide: 1 Greater forage production and utilization. Broadleaf weeds in pastures typically reduce forage production by 1 to 1.5 pounds for every pound of weeds that grow during the season. Years of testing shows that using NovaGraz allows for broad-spectrum control of more than 20 of the most common broadleaf weeds, including ironweed, cocklebur, wild carrot, buttercup, biennial thistles, ragweed, plantain, woolly croton, poison hemlock and more. By eliminating weedy competition in cool-season
With NovaGraz ™ herbicide, pasture managers no longer have to choose between weed control and legume preservation.
Byron Sleugh
on biodiversity, wildlife and overall ecosystem of the area where the product is being used. That is our commitment to those who produce and those who consume. We want them to feel comfortable when they see how we are doing R&D and what farmers are using to produce the food that they eat.” Corteva is set to further its strong track record of creating value by: 1. Building on nearly a century of agronomic expertise. 2. Developing groundbreaking technologies that help farmers solve some of their toughest challenges. 3. Delivering seed and crop protection solutions for every acre. Read more about how Corteva is providing critical technology in an indispensable industry at RangeandPasture.com/StewardResearch.
Answering the Question The process to reach those solutions, however, is rigorous and sometimes lengthy. One of the most important aspects of research by Corteva is determining the problem that needs to be solved — and this means listening to producers. “Years ago, customers would ask me what solutions we have to control Canada thistle or musk thistle while not killing white clover,” Sleugh recalls. “At the time, we didn’t have a good solution, but those questions helped us focus on the development of NovaGraz™ herbicide. Simply put, before we even know what product is going into the jug, we must figure out what question we’re trying to answer and what problem we’re trying to solve.” Investing in R&D For more than 100 years, Corteva has focused on innovation and the development of advanced technologies for farmers. This dedication takes time and a substantial investment. “Currently, we invest about $4 million per day — to anticipate and solve farmers’ challenges,” Sleugh continues. “We also integrate sustainability into our research goals to be mindful of the impact we are having
$83 per acre per year. 2 Nitrogen is essential to
photosynthesis and makes up 16% of plant proteins’ weight, directly impacting both the health of the pasture and the livestock grazing it. Retaining nitrogen also helps to build healthier, more productive soils year after year.
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. White clover and annual lespedeza exhibit some initial injury (such as lodging and loss of vigor) but recover with NovaGraz ™ . NovaGraz is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2026 Corteva.
32
33
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. White clover and annual lespedeza exhibit some initial injury (such as lodging and loss of vigor) but recover. NovaGraz ™ is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2026 Corteva.
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator