Source: Syngenta Crop Protection news letter

Seed treatments are on the rise with recent advances in seed-applied products paving the way for more efficient, more profitable farming operations.  Across a wide range of crops, seed treatment use has increased exponentially in recent years, providing an array of benefits to growers as well as seed companies and retailers.

An ever–growing emphasis on crop genetics has significantly increased the yield potential of many crops, and to get those improved genetics, growers have been asked to make bigger investments in seed. Now more is at stake for the grower, retailer and seed company, so it makes sense to apply seed treatments and ensure those high–value genetics will have the best opportunity to deliver, thus offering the grower maximized return on seed investments.

With growers running progressively larger operations and farming more acres, growers now need a wider window of time to get their crops planted.  This often means planting earlier, under less–than–ideal conditions when more intense disease and insect pressure can hinder early plant stand establishment and emergence. 

It is in the best interest of seed companies to see that their genetics perform even under these adverse circumstances.  Seed treatments have emerged as a practical solution to ensure strong emergence and stand in the early season, benefiting seed companies and retailers with increased customer satisfaction, fewer service calls and more return business.

“Seed treatments have helped to eliminate a number of inherent risks associated with the marketing and selling of high–value genetics to growers,” said Charles Flippin, head of NAFTA seed treatment for Syngenta Crop Protection. “Adding seed-applied insecticides and fungicides provides protection during the early critical stages of plant development, protecting against a multitude of pests, and thereby helping to ensure the genetics reach maximum yield potential. Seed companies, retailers and growers are now depending on the ‘in-the-bag’ performance package delivered by seed–applied products.”

Additionally, many seed companies and retailers are able to offer their customers a variety of seed treatment options and increased revenues by selling seed treatments as value–added products. This often is especially profitable for retailers who are able to offer on–site seed treatment for seed that does not automatically receive treatment.

“Seed treatments offer a considerable opportunity for retailers to provide value-added products or services to their grower customers while creating a new revenue stream to enhance their profits,” said Flippin. “By integrating seed treatments in their businesses, retailers are now in position to actively participate in the growers’ production planning process, which includes decisions on seed, chemicals, fertilizer, custom application and scouting programs. Retailers investing in the seed treatment business are poised to capitalize on future innovations in this rapidly expanding market of seed–delivered technologies.”

For the upcoming growing season, Syngenta is offering several new and exciting products that should provide even greater opportunities for seed companies and retailers to increase customer satisfaction by providing additional options that will promote increased yields and improve return on investment.

• Cruiser®Maxx® Pak, a commercially applied promotional combination of two separately registered products — Cruiser® seed treatment insecticide and an ApronMaxx® brand seed treatment fungicide — is the first available seed treatment for early-season insect and disease protection in soybeans, delivering better stands and vigor, quicker canopy closure, reduction in virus incidence and higher yields.
• Dynasty® CST seed-delivered fungicide for superior early-season disease protection in cotton.
• Dynasty® PD seed-delivered fungicide for superior early-season disease protection in peanuts.
• Cruiser® seed treatment insecticide will now be available for broad-spectrum insect protection in potatoes, dry edible beans and peas, in addition to the previously registered crops of barley, corn, cotton, sorghum, sunflowers, succulent beans, sweet corn and wheat.
• FarMore™ Technology Pak, a seed enhancement system including seed treatments for control of seedborne and soilborne diseases in small–seeded vegetables.

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).

ApronMaxx®, Cruiser®, Dynasty®, FarMore™ and Maxx® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.