As part of a complete crop solution program, Syngenta Crop Protection, makers of the Touchdown brand portfolio of glyphosate herbicides, announced today the benefits covered by the 2005 Touchdown Assurance Plan (TAP), northern U.S. version. One of the most comprehensive warranties for glyphosate-tolerant (GT) crops, the 2005 TAP provides the following benefits to help farmers protect their seed technology and crop investment:

• Touchdown Total(TM) Warranty - If a Touchdown Total application made under less-than-ideal conditions results in unsatisfactory weed control, growers will qualify for re-treatment up to their initial use rate.
   

• Touchdown Total Crop Safety Warranty - If an in-crop application on the GT crop results in documented economic crop injury, growers can qualify for a reimbursement up to $20 per acre.
   

• 30-minute Rainfast Warranty - If the grower applies Touchdown Total at the appropriate rate and an unexpected rainfall occurs at least 30 minutes after application and the field requires re-treatment, the initial use rate is replaced.
   

• Replant Burndown Assurance - If Touchdown Total, Sequence(R), Gramoxone Max(TM) or Expert(R) is applied as a burndown and a crop must be replanted, the grower can qualify for a refund of up to 17 ounces of Touchdown Total, or equivalent value toward a product with an alternate mode of action to align with weed resistance management guidelines.
   

• Trait Investment Protection - Growers can qualify for replacement of their seed trait value due to crop loss, whether the crop can be replanted or not, when Touchdown brands are used as the exclusive glyphosate herbicide.
   

• Volunteer GT Corn Cost Share - If a grower experiences a volunteer GT corn flush in fields where they are rotating to GT soybeans from GT corn, they can qualify for an approved cost share allowance towards the purchase of Fusion(R) or Fusilade(R) DX. The cost share rebate is $2.60 per acre.
   

• Local Product Service & Support - Syngenta provides best in class local support and service through local sales and technical representatives who work in cooperation with local crop protection retailers.
   

• Customer Resource Center (CRC) Support - The Syngenta CRC offers personalized support and is staffed with technical experts available to answer questions and provide recommendations.

Visit www.touchdown-herbicide.com to download the 2005 TAP brochure and for further details about the 2005 TAP program.

"Syngenta has an ongoing commitment to helping growers make the right agronomic decisions for their farms, not only protecting growers' crop and seed investment, but also providing answers to help align them with best weed resistance management practices," said Corey Huck, Syngenta's brand manager for Touchdown.

Touchdown Total, a concentrated potassium glyphosate herbicide registered for use over the top of glyphosate-tolerant (GT) soybeans, GT cotton and GT corn, is improved this year with new Low Foam Technologyä. Retailers can expect less foam during tank filling, which can slow down the spraying operation. Also included in the 2005 TAP coverage are Touchdown HiTech(TM) and Sequence herbicides.

The Touchdown brand portfolio features a wide selection of glyphosate-based products. The portfolio extends the power of choice to growers and provides a range of risk management options so they can customize a weed control program that best suits their rotation strategy and schedule.

Huck adds, "Syngenta remains committed to developing and bringing innovative technologies to market. The Touchdown brand portfolio delivers quality in product and ease of handling through the new Low Foam technology, all backed by best in class service and support."

For more detailed information about terms and conditions of the 2005 Touchdown Assurance Plan, please contact your local crop protection retailer or Syngenta representative.

The 2005 Touchdown Assurance Plan, northern version, applies to the following states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Parts of Missouri and Virginia are also applicable.

For more information about Touchdown Total, or the Touchdown brand portfolio of glyphosate herbicides, visit www.touchdown-herbicide.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).

Touchdown Total(TM),Touchdown HiTech(TM), Touchdown(R), Low Foam Technology(TM), GRAMOXONE MAX(TM), Expert(R), Sequence(R), Fusion(R), Fusilade(R) DX and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. GRAMOXONE MAX and Expert are Restricted Use Pesticides. Important: Always read and follow label directions before buying and using this product.