NK® Brand Seeds announces the return of Community Choice financing, now available at more than 1,000 local banks, and AgriFit(tm) financing through John Deere Credit and Rabo AgServices.

Available at a growing number of hometown lenders each year, Community Choice offers NK Brand Seeds customers a competitive 2 percent interest rate buy-down on purchases of $7,500 or more of qualified seed and seed treatment products through their trusted local bank.

"With Community Choice, growers receive a very competitive interest rate, usually only available directly from programs offered by major financing companies. They also have the advantage of working with a lender they know and trust," said Mark Schmidt, NK Brand soybean product manager. "Plus, the money stays in the community, supporting the local economy, while local lenders expand their services."

To participate, growers simply provide a participating lender with a copy of their qualifying NK Brand seed order, which must be purchased by Feb. 25, 2005. Depending on the date of loan, early pay discounts also apply: 5 percent savings paid by Dec. 17, 2004; 3 percent by Jan. 14, 2004; and 1 percent by Feb. 25, 2004.

The Community Choice program features quick and easy enrollment for both growers and lenders. Lenders sign a buy-down agreement with the company, and once they receive confirmation information, they can immediately start enrolling NK Brand customers in the program. Then, with the grower's completion of one simple document, the loan is like any other from their local bank.

"I had to read the offer a couple times because no one else offers anything like this," said Bart Ottens, vice president of agricultural and commercial lending at Metrobank in Chadwick, Ill. "This is our third year offering Community Choice. I can tell you people like it because they can work with their local lenders. The program is easy to administer with minimal paperwork, which is great for busy growers."

In addition to Community Choice, NK Brand seed buyers may choose AgriFit financing for their seed purchase. This financing option is available through nationally recognized lenders John Deere Credit and Rabo AgServices and includes prime (variable) interest rates until Dec. 17, 2004. The prime (variable) rate plus 1 percent applies from Dec. 18, 2004 to May 15, 2005. Early pay discounts dependent on the loan date also apply to this financing option with a minimum seed purchase of $7,500.

"We understand that financing inputs is an important decision growers make each year and that each growers' situation is unique," Schmidt said. "That's why NK Brand Seeds offers varied financing options so growers can choose the option best fit for their farm."

For more information, contact your local NK Brand dealer or visit www.nk-us.com.

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 $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

NK® and AgriFit(tm) are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.