Slater, Iowa
August 19, 2003

An impressive line-up of YieldGard® Rootworm hybrids has been developed by Garst Seed Company for 2004. The Slater, Iowa company is releasing eight new YieldGard® Rootworm (YG2) hybrids including three that carry Garst’s G-STAC (gene stacking) technology. This is the second trait in the YieldGard® family of products and Garst will designate these new hybrids as YG2 in their product numbering. This new group of technology products covers a wide range of maturities from 92 to 115
General Relative Maturity (GRM).

The eight new hybrids have been developed to protect corn from western, northern and Mexican rootworm, which currently causes an estimated $1 billion in lost revenue annually to corn growers. Three of the new YieldGard® Rootworm hybrids are G-STAC hybrids. Two of these G-STAC hybrids are stacked with the Roundup Ready trait and one is stacked with IT technology (CLEARFIELD� Production System). 

The YieldGard® trait is a key tool for growers because it offers in-plant protection against rootworms and is safer and more convenient than soil-applied insecticides. In addition, the YieldGard® technology offers great environmental benefits and saves time and labor by its in-seed technology features.

Jeff Sernett, corn product manager for Garst Seed Company said the technology has proven itself as a valuable tool for growers in the fight against rootworms.

He expects this technology to change the way growers manage corn rootworm without sacrificing yield potential.

Garst’s YG2 products will also be treated with one of the elite new seed applied insecticides in order to provide a broader spectrum of early insect control beyond rootworm. Sernett emphasized that by coupling this new in-seed technology with the latest advancements from the seed treatment world, growers will benefit from superior convenience and value.

“We are very excited to offer the YieldGard® Rootworm technology in our products. We believe this is the beginning of another technology revolution that is focused on providing the best of high yield genetics, in-seed technology and now the added benefits of seed applied insecticide. With every new technology revolution there is education necessary to help growers gain the full value of these technologies. Practicing good stewardship is a key issue,” Sernett said.

In order to preserve YieldGard® technology and any insect resistant traits for the future, knowledge of insect resistance management is paramount. Sernett stresses that good stewardship of this technology is essential in order to see the long-term benefits of the technology.

Victor Eder, a district sales manager for Garst Seed Company in Victoria, Texas, has already seen the benefits YieldGard® corn technology has brought to growers in his region. He said he expects the YG2 usage to increase in Texas as more growers see the benefits of the technology.

“Appreciation of the YieldGard® rootworm technology will continue to grow as more growers see results such as those seen in Texas with YG2,” said Eder. “The roots on the YG2 plants were visibly larger, healthy and white in color and the secondary root system was much more extensive than that of the conventional hybrids. This allowed the plant to tap into moisture and nutrients that the conventional hybrids were just not able to reach because of rootworm damage. The uniformity of the YG2 plants was also impressive under the harsh conditions we have experienced this summer in south Texas. The YG2 hybrids had a definite advantage over the conventional hybrids,” Eder said.

Growers are encouraged to contact their local Garst dealer or visit Garst’s Web site for more information about the new YieldGard® corn hybrids. This information is available at www.garstseed.com. 

With corporate and research headquarters in Slater, Iowa, Garst, along with PSA Genetics, AgriPro Wheat, and Interstate Seeds are key components in Advanta’s worldwide seed technology network that includes research, development and breeding facilities in 14 U.S. states and in 26 countries around the globe. Together, Advanta is one of the top five seed companies in the world.

YieldGard® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC.
CLEARFIELD is a trademark of BASF.

Garst Seed Company’s YieldGard Product Roster 2004

8302YG2/RR
Relative Maturity: 115 Day GRM
High Yield, Southern Adaptation and Stacked Trait Options
… Best performance in high yielding, irrigated environments
… Showy hybrid with good emergence, early vigor and good agronomic package
… Excellent performance in southern areas
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm
… Herbicide flexibility with the Roundup Ready® system

8312YG2
Relative Maturity: 115 Day GRM
Irrigated High Yield Performance and Southern Adaptation
… Best performance in high yielding, irrigated environments
… Excellent performance at moderate and high plant populations
… Showy hybrid with good agronomic package including good emergence and early vigor
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8432YG2/IT
Relative Maturity: 112 Day GRM
Across the Field Performer, Solid Agronomics and Stacked Trait Options
… Solid agronomic traits and performance across the field
… Excellent adaptation for central and eastern Corn Belt
… Herbicide flexibility with the CLEARFIELD* Production System
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8502YG2
Relative Maturity: 110 Day GRM
Superior Top-End Yields and Excellent Ear Flex
… Tremendous ear flex with a 16-20 kernel row ear
… Top performance expected when used as a medium-full hybrid
… Maximize performance by planting on rotational acres at moderate populations
… Maximum yield with timely harvest
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8642YG2
Relative Maturity: 105 Day GRM
Outstanding Early Growth and High Population Performer
… Excellent early growth allows early planting
… Moderate flex ear suggests higher populations for optimum performance
… Excellent stay green and good Gray Leaf Spot tolerance
… Adapted to the central and eastern Corn Belt
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8712YG2
Relative Maturity: 102 Day GRM
Good Ear Flex, Excellent Drydown and Standability
… Medium-tall plant type
… Moderate ear flex allows for plant population flexibility
… Excellent early season vigor
… Dependable agronomic qualities with excellent drydown
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8822YG2
Relative Maturity: 95 Day GRM
Excellent Top-End Yields and Solid Agronomics
… Attractive hybrid with solid agronomic qualities
… Outstanding performance both north and south of adapted zone
… Widely adapted hybrid with good grain quality
… Consistent performance across a broad range of environments
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm

8872YG2/RR
Relative Maturity: 92 Day GRM
Widely Adapted with Top-End Yields and Stacked Trait Options
… Top-end yield in a widely adapted hybrid across its maturity zone
… Best performance with medium-high to high plant populations
… Herbicide flexibility with the Roundup Ready® system
… Good plant health and early vigor
… YieldGard® Rootworm protection from western, northern and Mexican rootworm