Golden Valley, Minnesota
May 7, 2007
Syngenta announced today that yield results from three years
of AgriEdge® Soybean Program trials confirm that growers
consistently achieved yield advantages of at least four bushels
per acre on average compared to conventional crop management
programs. Assuming soybean prices of $7.00 per bushel, that
translates into more than $28.00 per acre in additional revenue.
Syngenta also announced that thousands of soybean growers have
signed up for its 2007 AgriEdge Grain Premium Program, which
provides additional incentives to increase yield and
profitability on soybean acres.
Enrollment in 2006 for the
AgriEdge Soybean Program increased more than 20-fold to 4,400
growers since the program’s inception in 2004. The program is
backed by risk-sharing assurances from Syngenta that the
enhanced yield will offset additional input expenses or Syngenta
will refund 100 percent of the difference. In 2006, only 300
participants requested assurance payments from Syngenta. As the
program enters its fourth year, Syngenta expects continued
strong participation.
“It is exciting to learn that 93 percent of growers who used the
AgriEdge Soybean production system last year saw a sufficient
yield advantage,” says Jon Scharingson, agribusiness marketing
manager, soybeans, Syngenta Seeds, Inc. “Growers have told us
that AgriEdge is a new way to think about raising soybeans while
providing access to better soybean management practices.”
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AgriEdge
Soybean Program Three-Year Data Chart (average bushel
increase per acre) |
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Source:
Directions Research, Dec. 2004-2006 |
Thousands of growers have also
signed up for the new 2007 AgriEdge Grain Premium Program, which
offers premiums based on yield. Growers who purchase NK® Brand
Roundup Ready® soybeans from Garst®, Golden Harvest or NK Brand
and enroll into the AgriEdge Grain Premium Program are eligible
for premiums ranging from nine to 21 cents per bushel on their
2007 yields (on up to 60 bushels). On a 60-bushel per acre
(bu/A) soybean yield, a grower using all elements of the program
could enjoy a premium of as much as 21 cents per bushel or
$12.60 per acre.
A Soybean Case Study:
A soybean trial in South
Charleston, OH, where Quadris® fungicide and Warrior with Zeon
Technology® insecticide were used at the R3 stage on NK® Brand
Roundup Ready soybeans, yields increased 11.7 bu/A. The check
block yielded 57.45 bu/A while the Quadris and Warrior block
yielded 69.16 bu/A. The yield advantage translates into $81.90
per acre in additional revenue, assuming soybean prices of
$7.00/bu.
Three Years of Information:
Research trials at the 2006 Syngenta Learning Centers (SLC) show
that the top three soybean yield-limiting variables are:
- Location (variations in
soil, weather, annual pest and weed management).
- Uneven seed depths caused
by deep tillage slots established in spring too close to
planting.
- Inconsistent seed
emergence and yields – SLC sites with established deep slots
that are settled prior to planting, reported more
consistency in emergence and performance.
The AgriEdge Soybean production
system provides assurances against those yield-limiting factors
and protects yields against pests, diseases and weather-related
stress. High-yielding environments, such as early planting and
good soil water-holding capacity, generally show the greatest
response to the AgriEdge system. Soybean variety selection and
seed treatments play a role in maximizing yield potential.
Responses are smaller in locations with no constraints, such as
irrigated Nebraska land, or low yield potential due to external
factors.
During the previous year in 2005, field trials demonstrated that
the AgriEdge Soybean Program maximizes soybean yield potential
by protecting the crop from diseases encouraged by narrower rows
and tolerance to dry and shallow rooting conditions.
“By implementing what we learn each season into yield
maximization strategies across soybean fields in the Midwest,
Syngenta creates opportunities to identify production
challenges, find solutions and share profit-optimizing practices
with our customers,” adds Scharingson.
The 2007 AgriEdge Soybean
Program
2007 is a new year for soybean
growers across the Midwest to participate in the AgriEdge
Soybean Program. Growers begin by making their selection of
superior genetics and Syngenta fungicides and insect control on
a field of NK Brand Roundup Ready soybeans. They plant an
adjacent block with comparative yield potential. Each block
receives identical treatment – same soybean varieties, planting
rates, tillage, weed control and fertilizer – but the AgriEdge
block receives seed treatment with a CruiserMaxx™ Beans brand
seed treatment, disease control with Quadris or Quilt® fungicide
and insect control with Warrior with Zeon Technology
insecticide, if needed.
AgriEdge growers are also invited to attend a Syngenta AgriEdge
Symposium at the beginning of each year to compare results with
growers across the country and hear from industry leaders and
leading university researchers. Topics include commodity market
outlook, glyphosate resistance, soybean genetics, and improving
plant performance. Thousands of growers, retailers, seed dealers
and other ag professionals attended the AgriEdge Symposiums that
took place in 12 Midwestern locations in January and February
2007. Guest speakers included researchers from local
universities, Farm Journal commodity market expert Bob Utterback
and prominent no-till grower from Michigan, Ray Rawson. For more
information, please visit www.agriedge.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
2006 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs around
19,500 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.
Important: Always read and follow label instructions before
buying or using these products.
Warrior with Zeon Technology is a Restricted Use Pesticide.
AgriEdge®, ApronMaxx®, Apron®, Maxim®, Cruiser®, CruiserMaxx™,
NK®, Quilt®, Quadris®, Warrior with Zeon Technology®, and the
Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group
Company. Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark of Monsanto
Technology, LLC.
Garst® is a trademark of Garst Seed Company.
CruiserMaxx Beans is one or more separately registered products
or combination of products containing the following:
CruiserMaxx; CruiserMaxx and Apron® XL; Cruiser®, Maxim® and
Apron XL; or Cruiser and an ApronMaxx® brand fungicide.
CruiserMaxx™ products are protected by several pending patent
applications and granted patents in the US and worldwide,
including US Patent Nos. 5852012, 5843982, and 6503904.
Quilt has received approval for control of Asian Rust on
soybeans under a Section 18 Quarantine Exemption in the
following states: AL, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY,
LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, ND, NJ, NY, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN,
TX, VA, WI and WV. If your state is not listed, check with your
state prior to using or recommending Quilt for control of Asian
rust on soybeans. |
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