As soybean growers begin making seed purchases for 2007 planting, Syngenta is offering them financial incentives to increase their 2007 soybean yields.  Through the Syngenta AgriEdge™ Grain Premium Program, growers who purchase NK® Brand Roundup Ready® soybeans from Garst®, Golden Harvest® or NK Brand are eligible for premiums ranging from nine to 21 cents per bushel on next year’s yield.

“Growers are really responding to this opportunity to raise soybean yields and put some extra money in their pocket at the same time,“ says Brad Wiersum, head of soybean marketing, Syngenta.  “Our early soybean orders are well-ahead of last year, and this AgriEdge program is the reason why.”

Under the AgriEdge soybean program, qualifying purchases of NK Brand soybean seed will receive a premium of 9 cents for every bushel the beans yield next fall, up to a maximum of 60 bushels per acre.  A grower averaging 60 bushels per acre on NK Brand seed purchased from Garst, Golden Harvest, NK Brand and participating retailers, will receive a premium of $5.40 per acre.

In addition to the premium paid on the seed, the AgriEdge program offers growers additional payments on their yields when they optimize the genetic potential of NK Brand soybeans by using CruiserMaxx™ seed treatment and Syngenta brands of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.  These crop protection premiums are three cents per bushel for each Syngenta product used and can total as much as 12 cents per bushel on top of the nine cents on each bushel of NK Brand soybeans harvested.  By using all elements of the program a grower could enjoy a premium of as much as 21 cents per bushel. On a 60-bushels per acre soybean yield that would total $12.60 per acre.

“The higher the yield, the higher the payment to the grower,” says Jon Scharingson, agribusiness manager, Syngenta.  “This program shows how confident we are that our NK Brand soybean genetics and Syngenta crop protection portfolio come together in a value-enhancing offer for customers.”

The AgriEdge Grain Premium Program is available to new purchasers of NK Brand soybean seed who purchase a minimum of 200 units, and to existing customers who increase their purchase by at least 200 units over the prior year.  For existing customers, the premium is available only on the additional purchase.

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 2005 were approximately $8.1 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). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

NK® , AgriEdge™, CruiserMaxx™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
Garst® is a trademark of Garst Seed Company.
Golden Harvest® is a trademark of Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc.
Roundup Ready® is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC.