b"of five-bean pods, a rarity when the line was developed. This uniqueness addedTHE S0009-M2 SOYBEAN: CHECKING ALL THE BOXESanother layer to the variety's success. Prior to this variety, encounteringTo win Seed of the Year, a variety must meet Creates new opportunities for producers a five-bean pod was a stroke of luck asa number of criteria. The S0009-M2 soybeanin crop rotations, particularly where short three-to-four-bean pods were the norm,meets them all and then some. rotations between canola crops contribute Lee adds.1. Innovation: to disease issues.Once introduced to the marketplace, Its the first early maturing, high-yield4. Sustainability:S0009-M2 went on to become a topsoybean variety specifically developed Exhibits no significant advantage in seller. It has moved well over 500,000to expand soybean acreage in Westerninput needs (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) bags in Manitoba alone since it was regis- Canada. compared to other soybean seed varieties, tered in 2015. From cross to finished variety, Syngentabut soybeans as a whole tend to be more Its success almost didnt happen,brought S0009-M2 to market in only sevensustainable to produce thanks to lower given that the variety almost died onyears. input requirements. the stem, so to speak. In 2014, a year before it was registered, it was ranked2. Impact on Industry: 5. Marketability:lowest of all 42 varieties in Syngentas Consistently performs well across nearly Fulfills the need for ultra-early-maturing research trials in terms of its suitabilityall of Western Canada, even in a marketsoybean seed varieties crucial for crop for growing in the East. However, thewitnessing a surge in soybean seedproduction in Western Canada.breeding team, thinking more broadlyvarieties.Mitigates the risk of crop loss to the early than Eastern Canada alone, recognized3. Presence throughout the value chain: killing frosts common in the region.that the early maturity of the line would Serves as valuable germplasm for Supports new and expanding markets, be ideal for the West.Syngentas proprietary breeding program,establishing itself as a game-changer in the S0009-M2 made it possible for grow- remaining a founder line for ongoingsoybean industry.ers in western Manitoba, Saskatchewan,soybean seed product delivery in Western and Alberta to grow a profitable crop ofCanada.soybeans in geographies where soybeans were typically damaged by early frost, Delheimer notes. Its able to do this via its early maturity combined with solid yield performance, good agronomics and a competitive disease package.As the demand for soybean meal and oil sourced from Canada contin- SALUTING BASFS POD SHATTER TECHNOLOGYues to grow, S0009-M2 has opened up a broader sourcing geography forInVigor hybrids from BASF are celebrating 10 the Canadian producer and end user,years of Pod Shatter Reduction technology Delheimer says. in 2024. This technology received the Seed S0009-M2 has also served as a newof the Year Award in 2021. In 2014, InVigor opportunity for producers needing ahybrid canola launched its first hybrid with crop to add to their rotations. This haspatented Pod Shatter Reduction technology, had impact on areas where short rota- which has revolutionized the Canadian canola tions between canola crops have causedindustry by providing game-changing harvest disease issues. flexibility and yield-loss reduction. This Of course, no variety lasts forever.innovation provides canola growers the option With newer options coming up in theto delay swath or straight cut to maximize yield ranks, 2024 will likely be the finalopportunity and minimize losses associated season for seed of S0009-M2 to be soldwith pod shatter, further reducing losses to to growers. both yield and income. Canola designed to S0009-M2 has served as valuablereduce pod shatter has changed the way germplasm and will continue to be afarmers do business. Jeff Mansiere andto thank for that. Listen to our podcast episode founder line in the breeding projectStewart Brandt are two of the BASF Canadawith Mansiere and Brandt at germination.ca/aimed at continuing to deliver soybeanAgricultural Solutions plant breeders they havepod-shatter-podcastseed products for Western Canada, Delheimer adds. JANUARY 2024GERMINATION.CA 21"