The 2007 planting season brings new challenges to farmers seeking to maximize return on every acre. One big challenge is producing crops for increased biofuel needs without shorting food and feed. Adding to that challenge are rising energy and input costs. As farmers focus on ways to improve production efficiency, NK® Brand and Syngenta are engaged in helping to provide solutions through a comprehensive approach to crop production.

At the recent South Dakota Agri-Business Association Winter CCA/CEU Conference, NK Brand agronomic expert Gary Wietgrefe provided information on practices to better meet the current challenges. As part of the educational 15 speaker line-up, he addressed “Energy Input and Output Per Acre” and examined nitrogen yield response.

“The resources and research of Syngenta enable us to take a comprehensive approach to crop production,” Wietgrefe explained. “The entire company is focused on products and management practices that enable farmers to produce more from every acre in a cost efficient way.”

“The overall goal is to reduce plant stress so that the genetic potential is maximized,” he said. “Toward this goal, farmers can make decisions every step of the way.

Step 1
Select products with traits that protect against insects and diseases for optimum performance.

Step 2
Add protection from additional insects and diseases with seed treatments to improve emergence, plant stands and early season growth.

Step 3
Manage weed pressure early in the season, to allow the plant maximum use of available resources, such as nitrogen and water.

Step 4
Reduce fuel use with practices that minimize trips across the field, such as no-till and one-pass residual herbicide programs.

Putting these steps together, the AgriEdge™ system combines NK Brand genetics and Syngenta crop protection with a package of value-added AgriEdge Assurances and Technology Reinvestments, as well as expert local agronomic advice. With AgriEdge, farmers have more flexibility and control to achieve maximum return on every acre.

For example, Syngenta and NK Brand provide proven products to maximize yield and minimize risk. A broad portfolio of NK Brand corn hybrids is available with Agrisure™ traits that provide protection from corn borer, rootworm and other insect pests, plus herbicide tolerances. To add superior early season protection from pests and diseases, all NK Brand hybrids are treated with Cruiser Extreme® 250. Syngenta herbicides offer options for broad-spectrum early season weed management.

Additionally Syngenta sponsors the Syngenta Learning Centers, where growers can explore agronomic practices and learn how to improve production while maximizing profits. At sites throughout the Midwest, the Syngenta Learning Center trials combine agronomics, genetics, Agrisure traits, seed treatments and crop protection products, while taking into account local pest pressures, weather conditions and other factors.

Wietgrefe concludes, “Achieving better returns from every acre is more than just bushels per acre. At NK Brand and Syngenta, we are committed to working with our customers to provide solutions that can help meet the challenge.”

For more information about the AgriEdge system, contact your local NK Brand dealer or Syngenta retailer.

NK Brand Seeds is a trusted hybrid corn, soybean and alfalfa seed supplier with more than 100 years of service in the marketplace. The brand provides customers more yield and better choices for the way they farm through innovative products and solutions. Located in Golden Valley, Minn., NK Brand Seeds is part of Syngenta.

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 more than 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.

Cruiser Extreme 250 is a seed company-applied promotional combination of four active ingredients that deliver .25 mg ai/seed of Cruiser (thiamethoxam) plus three fungicides: Apron® XL, Maxim® XL and Dynasty®.

NK®, AgriEdge™, Agrisure™, Cruiser Extreme®, Apron®, Maxim®, Dynasty®, Backed by the resources and research of Syngenta™, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.