LESLIE, ILL. (RFD-TV NEWS) — Golden Harvest is introducing five new DuraStack and DuraStack-Viptera corn hybrids for the 2027 growing season, offering farmers additional options for managing corn rootworm and other insect pests.
Stefan Swenson, corn product manager for Golden Harvest, said the new hybrids range from 95-day to 104-day maturities, covering a meaningful portion of the Corn Belt.
Two Trait Platforms, Different Protection
DuraStack and DuraStack-Viptera share the same base technology for corn rootworm protection, with three modes of action targeting the pest below ground.
DuraStack-Viptera adds above-ground protection against broad lepidopteran pests.
“Both trait platforms have the same base from a corn rootworm standpoint,” Swenson said. “That is the reference of the DuraStack.”
He said a field’s pest history is an important consideration when deciding which technology fits an operation.
“Whether or not you’re looking to control the above-ground pests or just focused on corn rootworm” is a key factor, Swenson said.
New Modes of Action for Corn Rootworm
Swenson said DuraStack was developed with durability in mind. He described it as the industry’s first triple-Bt mode of action for corn rootworm.
Compared with other products, he said, DuraStack adds a different mode of action within the Bt category and offers different proteins than other below-ground trait platforms.
“That’s going to be really powerful for folks,” Swenson said.
The technology is intended to give growers additional choices for managing corn rootworm, including in fields with heavy pest pressure.
A Broader Portfolio of Options
Swenson said Golden Harvest aims to match the right trait platform and hybrid maturity with each field.
The company offers a range of options, including products focused on above-ground pests and hybrids with below-ground protection.
“There’s a fine balance of bringing the right trait platform in the right maturities to the right acre,” Swenson said.
He said the new DuraStack hybrids will add another option for growers, particularly those looking for corn rootworm protection.
Finding the Right Hybrid
Swenson encouraged farmers interested in the new hybrids to contact their local Golden Harvest seed advisor.
He said selecting the right trait is important, but choosing the right genetics for an operation matters just as much.
“Your local seed advisor will be able to help pair those two things up and make sure you’re in the right spot,” Swenson said.
