Syngenta and John Deere Demonstrate the Value of Industry Cooperation

Those who attended a Demonstration Day at one of the Syngenta Learning Centers got a sneak preview of the result of a unique partnership between Syngenta and John Deere – Force® CS insecticide and the John Deere Central Insecticide System™ (CIS).

Force CS is an advanced liquid formulation of the trusted Force 3G soil-applied insecticide that delivers the same effective corn rootworm control. It is applied through the innovative CIS from John Deere, which allows growers to simply load Force CS into the planter and go.

Starting during the 2008 planting season, this system will save growers time and hassle at planting, while still controlling rootworm and other early season pests. Check with your local Syngenta retailer for Force CS and visit your local John Deere dealer for the CIS to install on a variety of new and used planters.

Important: Always Read and follow label instructions before buying or usings these products. Force CS and Force 3G are Restricted Use Pesticides. Force® is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. Central Insecticide System™ is a trademark of Deere & Company.

Ethanol’s Future in Agriculture

At the 2007 Syngenta Learning Centers, discussion on the growing demand for corn revolved around ethanol. During one of the days’ most exciting presentations, attendees watched Corn Amylase, a new genetic trait from Syngenta, produce starches by merely being heated. This trait has the potential to make ethanol production simpler and more efficient.

A unique and advanced transgenic project in the renewable fuels sector, Corn Amylase has the potential to lead to higher energy yield per acre. Analysis shows the trait can potentially increase ethanol plant production while reducing energy and water requirements.

Corn Amylase has completed the FDA consultation process and is currently under USDA review, meaning growers at the 2007 Syngenta Learning Centers got a “sneak peek” at the future of ethanol.

Aphid Solutions Highlighted at Syngenta Learning Centers

To combat soybean aphids, Syngenta is incorporating genetic aphid resistance into NK® soybean lines. At the 2007 Syngenta Learning Centers, participants got to see this new weapon in the fight against aphids. They examined a jar containing two soybean varieties, one with genetic resistance and one without, plus aphids. The bugs covered the untreated plants but avoided the plants with the resistant trait.

Native to Asia, aphids first invaded Midwestern fields in 2000. They attack crops, transmit disease and, in severe cases, can reduce yield by up to 50 percent.

The genetic resistance is expected to be available starting in 2009, and Syngenta will explore stewardship programs that use host plant resistance, scouting techniques, seed applied insecticides, CruiserMaxx™ and traditional insecticides such as Warrior® with Zeon Technology™.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using this (these) product(s).
CruiserMaxx Beans is one or more separately registered products or combination of products containing the following: CruiserMaxx; CruiserMaxx and Apron XL®; Cruiser,® Maxim® and Apron XL; or Cruiser and an ApronMaxx® brand fungicide, such as ApronMaxx® RTA® + Moly. CruiserMaxxTM products are protected by several pending patent applications and granted patents in the U.S. and worldwide, including U.S. Patent Nos. 5852012, 5843982 and 6503904. Cruiser® insecticide is protected by several pending patent applications and granted patents in the U.S. and worldwide, including U.S. Patent Nos. 5852012 and 6844339. Warrior is a Restricted Use Pesticide. NK®, CruiserMaxx™ and Warrior® with Zeon Technology™ are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

2007 Syngenta Learning Centers wrap-up

Thank you to all those who participated in and contributed to making the 2007 Syngenta Learning Centers our most successful effort to date. More than 4,000 people spent a day with us this summer.

Feedback from those who visited a site is overwhelmingly positive. I am glad we were able to help growers across the Midwest explore in-field research to learn ways to better manage their fields and, ultimately, boost profits.

Trials this summer studied topics such as corn-on-corn management and discovering ways to achieve 100+ bushel soybeans. All field trials are taken to harvest and key summaries will be made available on this site as soon as possible.

We truly believe in the importance of cooperation between growers and industry to discover ways to efficiently and profitably manage crops, and the Syngenta Learning Center program is a part of those efforts. Check back here regularly to stay current on Syngenta Learning Center news, including site highlights and trial information.