New deferred payment option available for 2007 seed purchases

When it comes to seed selection, growers typically are looking for three things: high-performing products, competitive pricing and attractive financing options. At Garst Seed Company, customers get all three of these.

“After growers make their product selections, they often evaluate the cost savings and financing options available from a seed company,” says Greg Nessa, senior credit manager for Garst. “That’s why we’ve created several competitive financing options that allow our customers to choose the best plan for their individual needs. Our financing options combined with Garst’s seed performance provide growers with an attractive seed package.”

Garst is offering its customers three payment options for next season. They 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 have the opportunity to earn an additional discount under Garst’s True Blue Customer Rewards program. Growers can receive these extra discounts by committing to a payment option by Nov. 22, 2006, and either increasing their Garst purchases from last year or being a 100 percent Garst customer.

Garst Gold Plan

New for the 2007 growing season, Garst will offer a special deferred payment option under the current Gold Plan. Growers interested in this new opportunity should contact their Garst sales representative about how they may qualify for this special program. The Gold Plan allows customers to purchase seed at 0 percent interest and delay payment until November 2007. To qualify, a grower must purchase a minimum $4,000 of seed and submit an application for approval.

Growers who qualify for Garst’s True Blue Customer Rewards program will receive an additional 1 percent savings under the Gold Plan if they make qualifying purchases by Nov. 22, 2006.

Garst Platinum Financing Program

Garst has once again teamed up with Farm PlanTM to provide its unique Platinum Financing Program that offers financing at a competitive rate. The Platinum option requires a minimum seed purchase of $2,500. The following are applicable deadlines for purchases and the corresponding discounts available through the Platinum Financing Program:

Deadline Date                        Cash Discount            Interest Rate
Nov. 22, 2006                   5 percent*              Prime minus 1 percent
Jan. 15, 2007                   4 percent                Prime
March 15, 2007                 2 percent                Prime plus 1 percent
June 15, 2007                   0 percent                Prime plus 1 percent

*Growers can earn an additional 1 percent discount with qualifying purchases by Nov. 22, 2006, through the True Blue Customer Reward program.

Cash Payment Discounts

Growers who pay with cash can receive additional early-pay discounts. Customers are eligible for these discounts by purchasing Garst seed products by the specified date and submitting a paid invoice. The following are cash purchase deadlines and their corresponding discounts:

Nov. 22, 2006 — 8 percent, plus a 2 percent True Blue Customer Reward discount
Dec. 15, 2006 — 8 percent
Jan. 15, 2007 — 7 percent
Feb. 15, 2007 — 4 percent
March 15, 2007 — 2 percent

“These discounts are our way of thanking customers for committing to Garst seed products early in the season,” says Steve Klein, head of marketing for Garst. “We’re dedicated to providing growers with the best payment options for their seed purchases.”

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

Garst Seed Company, with headquarters in Slater, Iowa, provides innovative seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products. For more information about Garst products, contact your local Garst ProSeller or visit Garst’s Website at www.garstseed.com.

Garst Seed Company is affiliated with Syngenta, 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).