Hunter Perry
Field Scientist, Dow AgroSciences
Greenville, Miss.
I grew up in Greenville, Miss., in the early to mid-90s when all major chemical companies had field stations in the local area. Working on two stations during the summers was a natural attraction to someone like me who loved being outdoors. At the conclusion of my Ph.D., I was presented with the opportunity to work for Dow AgroSciences as a field scientist, and I jumped at the chance.
To be one of the first field scientists to evaluate a newly discovered experimental compound, new mixtures that can add significant value to growers’ weed control options or new product formulations brings additional excitement to my position. Herbicide discovery teams actively search for and build molecules to satisfy a list of desirable product attributes. Once the material is ready for field testing, communication between field scientists and the discovery scientists ensures that key questions are answered correctly and efficiently.
After joining Dow AgroSciences, I quickly became involved in the early stage evaluation of Rinskor active. Rinskor is a new active ingredient with global utility in rice with first registrations expected in late 2017/early 2018. Rinskor exhibits an alternative herbicide mode of action (MOA), which controls certain broadleaf, sedge and grass species, including the Mid-South’s No. 1 rice weed, barnyardgrass. My role also includes working with existing Dow rice products such as Grasp, Grasp Xtra, Clincher and RebelEX as we continue to explore new opportunities to help growers be more efficient with their herbicide programs.
Living and working in the Mid-South offers the benefit of working alongside and learning from regional university scientists, Extension specialists, consultants and growers. Consultants naturally aim to help their growers produce the highest rice yield and quality possible to make a good profit. To accomplish this, they need dependable, consistent products that perform at a high level, not just products that control weeds.
One of the biggest emerging issues in rice is the spread of herbicide- resistant weeds. Many consultants use a field-by-field approach to attempt to control these problem areas. Herbicide products like RebelEX contain two MOAs on barnyardgrass and should be included in every rice grower’s toolbox to combat existing resistance issues and assist in preventing/prolonging resistance development.
One of the exciting attributes of Rinskor is the alternative mode of action, which has proven very effective against propanil-, ALS- and quinclorac-resistant biotypes, among others. Recent news releases indicate the new product pipeline is strong for rice growers, but it’s also important for us to use the tools we currently have wisely because new chemistry is not born overnight.
Recap: Working With New & Existing Herbicides ▼
1. Herbicide discovery teams actively search for and build molecules to satisfy a list of desirable product attributes.
2. After joining Dow AgroSciences, I quickly became involved in the early stage evaluation of Rinskor active. Rinskor is a new active ingredient with global utility in rice with first registrations mexpected in late 2017/early 2018.
3. Rinskor exhibits an alternative herbicide mode of action (MOA), which controls certain broadleaf, sedge and grass species, including the Mid-South’s No. 1 rice weed, barnyardgrass.
4. I also work with existing Dow rice products such as Grasp, Grasp Xtra, Clincher and RebelEX as we continue to explore new opportunities to help growers be more efficient with their herbicide programs.
5. Herbicide products like RebelEX contain two MOAs on barnyardgrass and should be included in every rice grower’s toolbox to combat existing resistance issues and assist in
preventing/prolonging resistance development.
