BASF announces EPA approval of Liberty ULTRA herbicide

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, October 18, 2024 – Liberty^® ULTRA herbicide, powered by Glu-L^™ Technology has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and is now approved for use, subject to state approvals.

Liberty ULTRA herbicide, containing the active ingredient glufosinate-P-ammonium, also been referred to as L-glufosinate ammonium, is the next generation of Liberty herbicide from BASF. This powerful new post knockdown solution is effective on both broadleaves and grasses and is available for use on glufosinate-enabled soybean, cotton, corn and canola acres. In research trials, Liberty ULTRA herbicide has demonstrated 20% superior weed control and won nine out of ten head-to-head comparisons against generics¹.

“As farmers increasingly rely on glufosinate in their weed management programs, the demand for enhanced efficacy and efficiency of this herbicide is more apparent than ever," said Matt Malone, Product Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. “With a narrowing number of effective knockdown tools in the U.S., BASF's latest innovation, Liberty ULTRA herbicide, will offer American farmers a post knockdown tool that delivers improved performance and convenience thanks to the new Liberty Lock formulation and BASF’s patented Glu-L Technology.”

This powerful combination gives farmers better weed control on grasses and tough broadleaf weeds like palmer amaranth, waterhemp, giant ragweed and kochia, resulting in more bushels at the end of the season.    

Glu-L Technology, the patented synthesis process that refines the glufosinate-ammonium active ingredient to its most herbicidally active component, allows every gallon of Liberty ULTRA to cover 33% more acres than generics. Liberty ULTRA herbicide packs the power of 32 fluid ounces of Liberty herbicide into a convenient 24 fluid ounces standard use rate. In addition to its lower standard use rate, BASF’s Liberty Lock formulation locks more herbicide onto leaves and into weeds. This custom formulation is designed to adhere more droplets onto weed leaves for better coverage with every pass. Once on the leaves, the patent-pending formulation drives nearly three times more herbicide into weeds² compared to generic glufosinate.  

Liberty ULTRA herbicide from BASF is the first resolved isomer, trait-enabled knockdown herbicide, paving the way for several Glu-L Technology-based premix herbicides to come from BASF within this decade. 

For more information about Liberty ULTRA herbicide, powered by Glu-L Technology, contact your local BASF representative or visit Liberty-Ultra.us.

¹ DEV-H-2023-US-DR2, MKD-H-2022-US-D43B, MKD-H-2022-US-D43A, MKD-H-2023-US-D41, MKD-H-2023-US-F41. MKD-H-2023-US-D42. Locations (52); Crops: soybean, corn, cotton and canola; Weed Species (173): GPA: 15-20 gal/acre; AMS or no AMS included depending on protocol.

² BASF lab and growth chamber study to evaluate penetration and absorption of glufosinate formulations, 2023. Analysis of active ingredient within the leaves of pigweed four hours after glufosinate was applied.

Always read and follow label directions. Glu-L is a trademark, and Liberty is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation. © 2024 BASF Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $20.5 billion in 2023. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.