Branded vs. Generic Crop Herbicides

Crop protection patents typically expire after 20 years, which creates market opportunities for more affordable generic alternatives. When your ag retailer presents you with herbicide options, you may wonder how those higher-priced name-brand products compare to the cheaper generic options. 

In this post, we’ll discuss:

• Pros and Cons of Generic vs. Branded Herbicides

• Do Government Agencies Regulate Generic Herbicides?

• Do Generic Herbicides Work as Well as Name-Brand Products?

• Why Are Generic Herbicides Priced Lower Than Branded Products?

• Are Generic Herbicides Identical to the Branded Products?

• Is a Generic Herbicide a Good Fit for Your Operation?

• FBN® Generic Herbicide Alternatives

Pros and Cons of Generic vs. Branded Herbicides

Generic Herbicides

Branded Herbicides

Do Government Agencies Regulate Generic Herbicides?

Yes, generic herbicides undergo the same Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval process as their original branded counterparts. To sell a generic herbicide, manufacturers must follow the same rules and regulations for registration as all other crop protection products.

Do Generic Herbicides Work as Well as Name-Brand Products?

Generic herbicides can be a cost-effective alternative to their brand-name counterparts, as they contain the same active ingredients and deliver similar results. However, inert ingredients or formulation differences may affect the product's efficacy. 

Inert ingredients do not have pesticidal activity but can contribute to the product's effectiveness by improving its application and crop safety characteristics. For instance, adjuvants can help the herbicide stick or spread on leaves, while other inert ingredients can improve the product's safety, handling, and storage characteristics. Some inert ingredients can also enhance the herbicide's pesticidal activity by limiting photodegradation or stabilizing the formulation. Some herbicides contain safener ingredients to protect crops from chemical injury following a herbicide application.  

Therefore, comparing product labels before choosing a herbicide is important to ensure optimal performance against target weeds.

At FBN, we invest millions of dollars each year to conduct comprehensive analyses of our generic products to ensure they perform as well as or better than the branded product. Product evaluations include:

• Laboratory screening (stability studies, physico-chemical testing like viscosity, pH, density, etc.)

• Formulation testing (e.g., emulsion stability, persistent foaming, pourability, suspensibility, etc.)

• Field trials comparing an FBN generic herbicide to its branded counterpart 

Whether it’s bermudagrass or waterhemp, grass and broadleaf weeds can limit yield potential. Our agronomists share product recommendations for managing weeds on our Pest pages here. 

Why Are Generic Herbicides Priced Lower Than Branded Products?

There are various reasons why generic herbicides may be priced lower than their branded equivalents.

1. It’s Less Costly to Register a Generic Herbicide 

While the registration requirements for a generic herbicide are the same as those for a name-brand product, the process may be faster and less expensive for post-patent herbicides. Registering a new herbicide active ingredient requires significant effort and time investment from the original manufacturer. Generally, multinational companies that produce name-brand herbicides invest millions of dollars annually in research and development, as well as people and facilities, to bring new products to market. Their ultimate goal is to generate the highest possible profit margin from their herbicides to recoup some of these development costs. 

In contrast, generic herbicide manufacturers can reduce costs by building on the work already done to register comparable products. For example, the EPA offers an “identical/substantially similar” pesticide registration application for new herbicides that are:

• Identical or substantially similar in its uses and formulation to one or more products that are currently registered and marketed in the United States; or

• Differs only in ways that would not significantly increase the risk of unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.   

2. Marketing Costs Are Lower

Generic herbicides generally do not require extensive marketing because the branded product has been marketed and established among the agricultural community for decades. Branded herbicides often charge a premium, extracting additional value for their company name and product.

For example, you’re probably already familiar with RoundUp® herbicide and know that its active ingredient, glyphosate, takes care of a broad spectrum of weeds on your farm. The company invested in a strategic marketing campaign to become a household name. Because consumers already are familiar with the power of glyphosate from the branded product, the generic alternative AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% can keep its marketing costs lower. See chart below for more examples.

3. Raw Ingredient and Manufacturing Costs May Be Less

Some generic herbicides may contain different inert ingredients than the brand-name products, which can reduce manufacturing costs. Differences in inactive ingredients typically do not play a significant role in herbicide product performance. See the Differences in Inert Ingredients section below for more information.

4. The Supply Chain Is Streamlined

Generic herbicide manufacturers, including FBN, can cut out the intermediaries in the value chain, passing those savings on to farmers. As an example, we recently announced our new Mississippi blending facility, which cuts out the middleman and enables us to offer fairly priced ag chem. 

5. There Are Fewer Administrative Costs

Generic manufacturers typically opt for a lower upfront product cost instead of rebate programs, which come with high administrative costs. As a result, the consumer not only saves money upfront but also saves time by not having to apply for a rebate.

Cover herbicide costs by opening an operating line from FBN Finance. Learn how to get an instant approval decision here*.

Are Generic Herbicides Identical to the Branded Products?

Even though both generic and brand-name herbicides have the same active ingredients, there might be slight differences in their formulation. These differences can affect the efficacy of the herbicide, as well as its handling, storage, and safety profile. Therefore, reviewing the product label and following the instructions when using any herbicide is always recommended. Variations in herbicide formulation might include:

Differences in Inert Ingredients

Herbicide formulations may contain various additives like: 

• Solvents

• Stabilizers

• Emulsifiers

• Surfactants

• Safeners

• Other inert ingredients that do not have pesticidal activity 

These ingredients are added to improve the chemical formulation of a herbicide or make it easier to apply by reducing product tie-up, enhancing product uptake, increasing dilution in water, stabilizing active chemicals, and extending shelf life, among other reasons. While generic herbicides may have slightly different inert ingredients compared to brand-name products, the differences in performance are likely minimal unless a specific inert ingredient is missing compared to the name-brand product.

Differences in Active Ingredient Concentration and Chemical Structure

Although the active ingredient of a generic product must be identical to its name-brand equivalent, there could be differences in concentration or the chemical structure of the specific active ingredient. This means that while the chemical formula of two products may be the same, the arrangement of atoms in their molecular makeup may differ, leading to variations in biological activity.

For example, glufosinate-ammonium is a mixture of D- and L-enantiomers; however, only the L-enantiomer has herbicidal activity. New formulation technology enables the concentration of L-enantiomer glufosinate, which can reduce the application rate of newer glufosinate herbicides compared to racemic mixture products. 

Review the 2024 Crop Protection Guide to see the entire FBN crop protection product portfolio and learn more about branded vs. generic alternatives.

Is a Generic Herbicide a Good Fit for Your Operation?

As we’ve discussed, generic herbicides can be a cost-effective solution for managing weeds without compromising quality. To determine whether generic products suit your operation, compare their price, safety, and performance with name-brand alternatives. 

If performance data is unavailable for the generic herbicide you are considering, conducting a small in-field trial to compare product performance may be helpful. Running a side-by-side trial can help you learn more about the generic herbicide while mitigating the risk of trying a new product.

As you evaluate the label differences between generic and name-brand herbicides, consult with your trusted agronomic advisor to answer these questions:

• Are the active ingredient concentrations the same?

• Are the inert ingredients significantly different?

  • If so, what performance differences might you expect?

• Is the generic product labeled for the crops, specific weeds, and application types you’re expecting to use it for?

• Are there any storage, handling, or disposal differences you should be aware of?

FBN Generic Herbicide Alternatives

Learn more about some of the generic herbicides available through FBN:

Shop Herbicides from FBN

An effective herbicide program can protect your crop’s yield potential throughout the season. FBN provides a range of generic and brand-name herbicides to help you tackle your most troublesome weeds. 

With 24/7 digital shopping access, direct-to-farm delivery, transparent pricing and savings opportunities, and detailed label information for each product, FBN offers the information and products you need to build an effective weed management strategy this season.  

Shop FBN herbicides

Related Resources

• Herbicides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Herbicides

• How to Control Summer Weeds

• Understanding Branded vs. Generic Crop Protection Products

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