Cruiser®Maxx® Pak proved its strength and value during its first year of commercial use. CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybeans showed stronger stands, better plant vigor and quicker canopy, ultimately flourishing into a high-yielding crop. Planted on two million acres in 2005, CruiserMaxx Pak protected soybeans against a broad spectrum of early-season insects and diseases to maximize crop potential and boost yields.

Across the Midwest, growers who planted CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybeans saw better plant health and vigor leading to increased yields over untreated acres. "We had a side-by-side demonstrating CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybeans versus non-treated soybeans,” said Al Perry of Aurora, Nebraska. “The untreated soybeans had a lower population compared to the taller and thicker CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybeans. There were also no bean leaf beetle holes in the leaves of the soybeans treated with CruiserMaxx Pak. At harvest, the CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybeans yielded four bushels-per-acre higher than the untreated soybeans.”

Seed dealers who offered CruiserMaxx Pak were impressed by its performance and happy to offer a new product to their customers. “I think the key benefit of CruiserMaxx Pak is plant health,” said Chuck Kuntz of Harveyville Seed Company in Harveyville, Kansas. “The cost of production is so high that it pays to get soybean plants off to a strong start to increase the chance for higher yields. An extra couple of bushels per acre can more than pay for the cost of the treatment, and if you can get an extra three to four bushels, you’ve gained 10 to 15 dollars an acre and that starts adding up.”

CruiserMaxx Pak is a promotional combination of two separately registered products: Cruiser seed treatment insecticide and an ApronMaxx® brand seed treatment fungicide that deliver top-of-the-line protection against a broad-spectrum of early-season insects and diseases. CruiserMaxx Pak protects soybean seeds and seedlings against seed- and foliar-feeding insects including soybean aphid, bean leaf beetle, seedcorn maggot and wireworm. In addition, it provides excellent protection against all major seed- and soil-borne disease pathogens, including Pythium, early-season Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, seed-borne Sclerotinia, seed-borne Phomopsis and general seed rots.

“CruiserMaxx Pak had an outstanding first year in the marketplace and in the field,” said Mark Jirak, crop manager, Syngenta Seed Treatment. “We have received very positive feedback from growers and dealers on its ability to improve plant stands and vigor as well as speed to canopy and plant health. We anticipate a substantial increase in the number of acres planted with CruiserMaxx Pak next season as word spreads of the performance soybean growers saw this year. As the premier seed-applied insecticide/fungicide combination for soybeans, CruiserMaxx Pak will no doubt continue to be a market leader next season.”

The following seed companies offer CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybean varieties:

In addition, approximately 600 certified treaters are slated to offer CruiserMaxx Pak-treated soybean varieties in the following states: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. To find the dealer closest to you, please visit www.cruisermaxxpak.com.

Maximum soybean yields are often achieved with the combination of CruiserMaxx Pak and a foliar insecticide application of Warrior® with Zeon Technology® later in the season. Syngenta recommends applying Warrior immediately once insect populations reach economic thresholds (as established by local university extension specialist).

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 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 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.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using any of these products.
ApronMaxx®, Cruiser®, Maxx®, Warrior®, Zeon Technology® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.