Growers planting Garst® brand seed in 2005 will find competitive financing and cash discount rates that will help them save money on their seed costs when they take advantage of one of three payment options the company is offering.  

Garst Seed Company payment options include the 0 percent interest Garst Gold Plan, the low-interest Garst Platinum Financing Program and five attractive cash discount options based on purchase timing. Growers can earn additional cash discounts under these payment options through Garst’s True Blue Customer Reward program if they make qualifying purchases by November 15, 2004.

“Providing farmers a variety of payment options for their seed purchases is an important value-added service for our customers,” says Larry Lenz, logistics manager for Garst. “We’re proud to offer some of the most competitive financing programs and cash discounts available today, and we’re confident producers will find a Garst payment option that fits their financial needs.”
 
Garst Gold Plan

The Garst Gold Plan is a deferred payment option for purchasing Garst brand products. The program allows customers to purchase seed at 0 percent interest and delay payment until fall 2005. To qualify, a grower must purchase a minimum of $4,000 of seed and submit an application for approval.

Growers who qualify for Garst’s True Blue Customer Reward program will receive an additional 1 percent savings under the Gold Plan if they make qualifying purchases by November 15, 2004.

Garst Platinum Financing Program

The Garst Platinum Financing Program is a unique program that is available as a result of a partnership between Garst and John Deere Credit. A minimum seed purchase of $2,500 is required.

The following are applicable deadlines for purchases and the corresponding discounts available through the program.

Sign-Up Date                 Cash Discount                                                   Interest Rate
Nov. 15, 2004                5 percent                                                          Prime – 1 percent  
(Growers can earn an additional 1 percent discount with qualifying purchases by November 15, 2004 through the True Blue Customer Reward program.)
 
Jan. 15, 2005               5 percent                                                            Prime

March 15, 2005            2 percent                                                            Prime + 1 percent

June 15, 2005              0 percent                                                            Prime + 1 percent

Cash Payment Discounts

For growers not interested in financing options, Garst offers competitive early pay discounts. Growers can receive these discounts by purchasing Garst seed products by the specified date and submitting a paid invoice. The following are purchase deadlines and the corresponding discounts:
* December 15, 2004 – 8 percent
* January 15, 2005 – 7 percent
* February 15, 2005 – 5 percent
* March 15, 2005 – 2 percent
 
With a qualifying purchase, growers can earn an extra 2 percent discount in addition to the 8 percent cash discount for paying for their Garst seed by November 15, 2004 through the True Blue Customer Reward program.

 “Offering several payment options shows Garst’s commitment to providing growers real savings opportunities,” says Steve Klein, director of marketing for Garst.

Growers should contact their local Garst sales representative or district sales manager to discuss the various payment options. Growers can also call the Garst credit department toll-free at 800-831-1850.

Garst Seed Company, with brand headquarters in Slater, Iowa, provides seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products. For more information about Garst brand products, contact your local Garst ProSeller or visit Garst’s Web site at www.garstseed.com. Garst Seed Company is a business division of Syngenta, a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.