Sustainable Technologies, Regulatory Obstacles Among Leading Factors Shaping the Herbicide Market

CropLife: What were your expectations for the herbicides market in 2024 and were they met?

Katrina Schmidt: Overall, we are pleased with our progress in 2024. After a period of pronounced destocking, channel inventory is beginning to recover, and we have seen improvement in volumes over the last two quarters. However, there is still uncertainty in the market. Many purchases are being made closer to the time of application as our customers manage inventory and growers balance the need for effective crop protection with efforts to manage input costs.

From an innovation perspective, we are making strong progress with our herbicide pipeline launches with new registrations received for Isoflex™ active in Brazil and most recently the United Kingdom. We have submitted registration dossiers for Dodhylex™ active, our new rice herbicide, in eight countries globally, including the United States.

CL: What are your expectations for 2025 and beyond?

KS: We will continue to invest in our R&D plans and advance our industry-leading pipeline. We will submit more registrations for Dodhylex™ active globally and will continue to launch new products powered by Isoflex™ active. Those activities are expected to take place against the backdrop of continued improvement in channel demand over the course of the year.

CL: What technological advances can we expect to see in the herbicide industry?

From digital and precision technologies to new modes of action, advancements in the herbicide industry will allow growers to improve efficiency, address environmental concerns, and manage the risk of herbicide resistance in weed populations.

For example, FMC is excited to launch products containing Dodhylex™ active (pending regulatory decisions), the first active ingredient in the HRAC/WSSA Group 28 and the first new herbicide with a novel mode of action in over three decades. The molecule is a significant advancement for the agriculture industry as it will help combat resistant weeds. What is remarkable about this technology is how effective it is on the most challenging grass weeds in rice, a grass crop. Controlling grass weeds in a grass crop is extremely difficult, so we expect this to be a game changer for growers.

 CL: Has the role of the ag retailer changed in any way when it comes to herbicides?

KS: Many retailers provide advice to growers about sustainable herbicide practices, resistance management and regulatory compliance. Retailers often bridge gaps between growers and manufacturers, providing a consistent source of credible, locally relevant advice that can help counteract information overload. Many growers look to retailers to offer practical, region-specific insights based on local weed pressures and resistant species, given the complexity of herbicide management. Retailers are collaborating more with manufacturers to educate growers on the latest technologies and inform them of any impacts from the changing regulatory landscape that may impact their plans.

CL: What are the concerns the industry has heading into the new planting season?

KS: There is uncertainty regarding over-the-top herbicide choices in 2025 due to significant regulatory and legal obstacles in the United States. Farmers will need to think about alternative weed control strategies, such as pre-emergence herbicides and the use of layered residuals as part of their planning process. This is where a trusted advisor relationship between a grower and their retailer can reap benefits, which is why manufacturers need to nurture the knowledge transfer with their customers. Input costs in relation to commodity prices will continue to be top of mind, as well as the unpredictability of the weather.

CL: What trends are affecting herbicides have you seen evolve over the past few years? What’s driving those changes?

KS: There are heightened regulatory expectations related to environmental impact. For example, the EPA’s recent herbicide strategy aims to protect endangered species by encouraging conservation practices like buffer zones and reduced chemical drift. Balancing the demand for sustainable products with affordability and effectiveness will be critical for our industry.