Posted 25 September 2006. Crop Management.

2007 Syngenta AgriEdge™ Corn Program Expands Crop Input Choices

Syngenta. http://www.syngentacropprotection-us.com

Golden Valley, Minnesota (Sept. 14, 2006) - To help growers manage risk and maximize corn yields, Syngenta introduces expanded weed and insect management options for growers participating in the 2007 AgriEdge™ Corn program. The program includes unprecedented flexibility in crop input decisions with industry-leading assurances and trait reinvestments of up to $36 per unit of seed.

"AgriEdge provides growers with unparalleled flexibility,” says Rex Wichert, AgriEdge Corn business manager. “For example, if a grower plants a hybrid with the Agrisure™ GT (glyphosate tolerant) corn trait but does not use the trait because of in-season adjustments to weed control plans, Syngenta reimburses the grower for the full value of the unused trait. This feature allows growers extra flexibility to focus on maximizing the full yield potential of the hybrid’s genetics and pay only for the technology they use.”

Introduced in 2006, the AgriEdge Corn program is designed to provide growers customizable, season-long solutions through the full portfolio of Agrisure corn seed traits, Syngenta seed treatment, crop protection products and risk-management tools.

“While growers cannot predict the challenges of the upcoming season, with AgriEdge they now have the ability to choose the right seed products and crop protection tools, and make in-season adjustments as necessary to produce the most profitable crop,” Wichert says. “In combination with Syngenta expertise and the local knowledge of retailers, growers can be assured that they are implementing the best agronomic solution for their acres."

Growers are eligible to participate in AgriEdge when they plant a qualifying corn hybrid with Agrisure traits in NK® Brand, Garst®, Golden Harvest® or another seed brand. A purchase of a hybrid with Agrisure GT, Agrisure CB/LL (season-long corn borer protection with LIBERTY® herbicide tolerance) or the triple-stack of Agrisure GT/CB/LL qualifies the grower for crop replant, trait/crop loss and trait investment assurances and volunteer GT corn cost-share allowance in the following year’s glyphosate-tolerant soybean rotation.

Following the purchase of a hybrid with Agrisure traits, growers are automatically eligible to participate in one of the AgriEdge programs, which further protects their seed investment with one of the following weed or insect management systems:

• One-Pass Assured – a simple one-pass pre-emergence solution using full rates of LUMAX®, Lexar® or Camix® for superior broadleaf control and season-long weed management with the flexibility of using Touchdown® or LIBERTY herbicide in a post application if necessary.

• Two-Pass Enhanced – a flexible two-pass (pre- followed by post-emergence) weed control system that uses foundation rates of LUMAX, Lexar or Camix and allows for a larger post application window by managing early-season weeds including most broadleaves. It is ideal for unpredictable weather and superior control of difficult weeds with multiple modes of action helping reduce the potential for glyphosate resistance.

• Economy Two-Pass – a flexible two-pass system for early-season weed control, especially on grasses. It is less risky than a post-only program, allowing a larger post application window.

• AgriEdge Out Front with Force® Insect Management System – Growers protect their seed investment with Cruiser Extreme® 250 or Cruiser Extreme 1250 for early-season insect and disease control, and use Force 3G insecticide for proven and reliable control of corn rootworm.

AgriEdge Protection Plus provides comprehensive assurances that protect the grower from unexpected pests and crop loss. Growers who protect their seed with Cruiser Extreme 250 or Cruiser Extreme 1250 will receive a crop protection product refund or remedy, if the crop must be replanted or is lost. Eligibility for a refund or remedy will be determined after a Syngenta representative or Syngenta authorized seed dealer completes a field inspection.

For the 2007 season, growers who plant a corn hybrid with the Agrisure GT trait can receive a technology reinvestment of as much as $21 per unit of seed when they apply a pre-emergence application of Lexar or LUMAX herbicide in a One-Pass Assured program. The technology reinvestment is $15 per unit when the grower plants a hybrid with the Agrisure CB/LL trait.

Syngenta helps growers who participate in the AgriEdge program exchange information from local Syngenta Learning Centers that will aid in next season's crop management decisions. That information, combined with the industry’s largest field support and service team, local agronomists, retailers, and the Syngenta Customer Resource Center gives growers the confidence to make the right choice at the right time for their operations.

For more information about AgriEdge Corn, growers should contact their authorized AgriEdge seed dealer, crop protection retailers or a Syngenta sales rep.

Contacts:
Rex Wichert AgriEdge Corn, Syngenta Seeds
336-632-2878
rex.wichert@syngenta.com