Syngenta Seeds has added 27 new corn hybrids, soybeans and alfalfa varieties to the NK® Brand product portfolio for the 2005 growing season. Developed for today's evolving markets, these high-yielding products provide quality genetics packaged with a wide range of options that allow growers to choose seed that best meets their needs.

Although seed purchases only account for about 4.4 percent of all farm expenses, crop sales represent an estimated 43.6 percent of all farm income across the country, according to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) findings.

"With such a high potential for return on investment from seed purchases, maximizing profits starts with seed selection - one of the most important decisions growers make each year," said Jack Bernens, NK Brand vice president of marketing for Syngenta Seeds. "Our research and product development efforts are dedicated to bringing corn hybrids and soybeans to the market that broaden grower choice, spread risk and increase profitability."

Thirteen New Soybean Products Deliver More Yield
Backed by 35 years of proprietary breeding, the 13 new NK Brand soybeans underwent a rigorous screening process that identifies resistance to key pests such as soybean cyst nematode, Phytophthora root rot and iron deficiency chlorosis. These varieties offer strong disease-resistance packages to protect yield potential and fit the Roundup Ready® system.

"NK Brand soybeans deliver unique, high-yielding genetics, designed to meet growers' demands for more yield, more often," said Bernens. He added that NK Brand soybeans average a 1.8 bushel-per-acre yield advantage over top competitive brands 63 percent of the time in more than 4,000 comparisons.

Corn Portfolio Adds 13 New Hybrids for More Options
To provide growers additional options in 2005, four of the 13 new NK Brand corn hybrids include YieldGard® insect protection and LibertyLink® technology. Four more hybrids are recommended for refuge areas and offer LibertyLink technology.

"NK Brand YieldGard Bt corn protects yield," Bernens explained. Through nine years of on-farm performance, NK Brand YieldGard hybrids demonstrate a 7.7 bushel-per-acre yield advantage. Coupled with flexible weed control options, these hybrids add value to seed portfolios. Plus, the addition of Cruiser Extreme® Pak CRW seed treatment provides protection from up to 15 pests, including corn rootworm.

In addition, a new NutriCrop® silage-only hybrid delivers high tonnage and feed quality for dairy rations.

New Alfalfa Variety Provides Superior Quality
The addition of Genoa alfalfa to the NK Brand seed portfolio delivers more quality and more yield for hay and forage growers. Good for medium- to long-term stands, its quick recovery maximizes yield in four-cut systems. Developed for high yields and premium nutritional quality, Genoa combines excellent disease resistance and persistence.

NK Brand Extra Edge(tm) Products Characterize Value
NK Brand Seeds has introduced Extra Edge corn hybrids and soybeans, seed options that target specific end-use markets. Extra Edge corn hybrids include High Extractable Starch (HES) hybrids for markets such as high fructose corn syrup and Dry-Grind Ethanol (DGE) hybrids for ethanol production. High Oil (HO) and High Protein (HP) soybeans comprise the Extra Edge soybean portfolio, featuring higher ranges of oil or protein for processors interested in those traits. Only products that demonstrate suitability for specific processing uses and strong agronomic performance based on thorough testing meet Extra Edge standards.

"For ethanol production, we use a testing method established by the University of Illinois to characterize Extra Edge hybrids in a new, state-of-the-art laboratory at our Stanton, Minn., research station," said Gary Powell, NK Brand new product and market development director for Syngenta Seeds.

"Syngenta Seeds is committed to growers, working to provide them with high quality products and expand their markets for maximum return on their seed investment," Powell said. He cited the company's recent efforts to secure regulatory approval to import NK Brand YieldGard corn for food and feed in China, offering another market opportunity for U.S. corn growers. "Our efforts focus on supporting the way our customers farm."
 

N76-H2                                                                                                          Relative Maturity: 113
Superior yield combined with very good emergence and stalk strength, it is designed for the Southern Corn Belt, Mid-South and West.

N82-A7                         Added Traits: YieldGard, LibertyLink                        Relative Maturity: 118
A tall hybrid with strong stalks and roots, it delivers excellent plant health, including protection from gray leaf spot.

THIRTEEEN NEW NK BRAND SOYBEAN PRODUCTS

S00-F8                          Added Trait: Roundup Ready^®                                  Relative Maturity: 00-8
A mid-Group 00 option that provides very good standability for short-season portfolios.

S02-M9                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: 0-2
This medium-tall plant with very good standability features strong tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis and resistance to Phytophthora root rot.

S04-Z9                          Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: 0-4
An early season option that combines very good plant standability with good tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis and resistance to Phytophthora root rot.

S14-A7                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: I-4
A broadly adapted variety, it delivers strong tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis, resistance to Phytophthora root rot and excellent standability.

S17-P9                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: I-7
An excellent choice for narrow rows, it provides good protection against brown stem rot, as well as resistance to Phytophthora root rot.

S19-R5                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: I-9
A tall, widely adapted variety that offers very good standability and stress tolerance that is also an Extra Edge™ High Protein soybean.

S21-H3                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: II-1
With very good stress tolerance, this variety performs well in 30-inch rows and narrower.

S21-Q1                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: II-1
Very good emergence and stress tolerance, this plant features resistance to soybean cyst nematode and is characterized as an Extra Edge High Protein soybean.

S26-V6                         Added Trait: Roundup Ready                                   Relative Maturity: II-2
A fast-emerging variety with excellent stress tolerance, it excels in 30-inch rows and narrower and offers soybean cyst nematode resistance, and it is designated an Extra Edge High Oil soybean.

S27-T7                          Added Traits: Roundup Ready                                  Relative Maturity: II-7
A top-yielding variety with fast emergence, very good standability and stress tolerance, it also provides good tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

S31-V3                         Added Traits: Roundup Read                                    Relative Maturity: III-1
A high-yielding option adapted to various row widths, tillage systems and geographies, characterized as an Extra Edge High Protein soybean.

S35-F9                          Added Traits: Roundup Ready                                  Relative Maturity: III-5
With both race and field resistance to Phytophthora root rot, this variety is a good choice for fields where soybean sudden death syndrome is a concern.

S54-G9                         Added Traits: Roundup Ready                                  Relative Maturity: V-9
Developed for heavier Southeastern soils, this soybean offers good standability and a good soybean cyst nematode resistance package.

ONE NEW NK BRAND ALFALFA VARIETY

Genoa                         
A widely adapted variety that features excellent forage quality, high yields and excellent disease resistance, it delivers fast recovery ideal for four-cut management systems with excellent winter hardiness and persistence.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2003 were approximately U.S. $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

NK®, Cruiser Extreme® Pak, ExtraEdge(tm), NutriCrop®, TruPlant(tm), TruBulk(tm) and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. YieldGard® and Roundup Ready® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Liberty® is a registered trademark of Bayer CropScience.