New Fungicide & Insecticide Options Address Increasing Corn-on-Corn Acreage

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - October 11, 2007 - Recognizing the increase in corn-on-corn rotations, Syngenta has expanded its AgriEdge® Corn Program for 2008 to include applications of Quilt® fungicide and Warrior® Brand insecticide. The 2008 program will also include hybrids stacked with Agrisure® RW and CB/LL corn traits for rootworm and corn borer protection with LIBERTY® herbicide tolerance, plus GT trait for tolerance to glyphosate.

“The purpose of AgriEdge is to maximize yield potential by matching high-performance corn hybrids containing Agrisure traits with proven crop protection solutions,” says Pat Steiner, program manager for AgriEdge Corn. “The addition of the Quilt and Warrior Brand to the AgriEdge Corn program gives growers a solution for gray leaf spot and in-season insect control. It also addresses the particular needs of continuous corn, where more residue cover encourages more disease activity.”

AgriEdge is a yield-maximizing crop production system that combines an integrated portfolio of technology, seed traits, premium genetics and proven crop protection products.

Through the 2008 program, growers may qualify for up to $3 per bag of seed when applying Quilt and Warrior Brand in 2008. The 2008 AgriEdge Corn program also emphasizes early-season weed control. In 2008, participating growers may qualify for up to $15 per bag of seed when applying qualifying pre-emergence herbicides at full label rates or in combination with post herbicide treatments.

The 2008 program also includes incentives for managing insect resistance. Growers can receive up to $8 per unit of seed for purchasing and using Force® CS or Force 3G insecticide on rootworm refuge acres.

“A lot of flexibility is built into the AgriEdge Corn program so that growers can customize a high-yield program that is best suited to their way of farming,” says Steiner. Participants may choose from Garst®, NK® and Golden Harvest® corn hybrids; double, triple and quad stacks of Agrisure corn traits; and a broad range of crop protection products, including Cruiser Extreme® 250 and Cruiser Extreme 1250 seed treatments and Lumax®, Lexar®, Camix® and Callisto® herbicides.

Growers should consult the 2008 AgriEdge Use Guide for complete qualifications and details. Use Guides are available from authorized AgriEdge seed dealers and can be downloaded from the web at 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 21,000 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.

Ames, Iowa - October 10, 2007 - Becker Underwood is offering soybean growers a choice of three VAULT inoculants made fresh for the 2008 growing season for greater performance in the field and maximum yields.

“Our VAULT inoculants are made fresh every year for that specific growing season to ensure they deliver strong, vigorous rhizobia to your seed, which helps maximize both nitrogen fixation and yield in your soybeans,” says John Wilke, Becker Underwood inoculant product manager. “Based on university research and independent field trials, soybean growers who use fresh VAULT inoculants can expect an average yield advantage of 2.5 bushels* per acre compared to soybeans grown without inoculants.”

Jim Beuerlein is a professor of agronomy and soybean research and extension specialist for The Ohio State University. Beuerlein has evaluated soybean inoculants in hundreds of field trials since 1995. These tests have consistently shown the practice of inoculation provides a two-bushel per acre average yield advantage.

“If you look at just one year, you might not think an extra bushel or two is all that significant. But when you look at it over the long run, and compare the yield advantage versus the cost of inoculating, the economic returns truly are significant,” Beuerlein explains. “When you invest $2 to $3 an acre for an extra two bushels of soybeans that sell for $7 or $8 a bushel, inoculation is a practice that can generate 400 percent to 500 percent profit. And that can add a lot to your bottom line when you spread that over all your soybean acres.”

Available in two different liquid formulations and one dry formulation, the 2008 VAULT lineup will deliver the performance and results you demand from an inoculant.

New VAULT LVL is a low-volume liquid inoculant that is professionally applied by your seed dealer so you can stay focused on planting and still get maximum benefits from your inoculant. The low application rate for VAULT LVL increases your options to add other beneficial treatments such as fungicides and insecticides for healthier, more productive crops. VAULT LVL features Becker Underwood?s exclusive BioStacked® Technology that combines advanced strains of beneficial rhizobia with the disease-fighting power of Integral®, an EPA-registered biofungicide that suppresses many common diseases including rhizoctonia and fusarium.

Replacing NOD+TM is VAULT NP, a highly concentrated liquid inoculant that offers excellent bacteria counts - more than 1.1 million rhizobia per seed (based on 3,000 seeds per pound). Fresh VAULT NP inoculant contains the USDA-patented TA-11 Nod+ rhizobia strain, plus additional strains to improve stability and make the product even more robust over a wider range of environmental conditions. VAULT NP has been specially formulated so you can apply the product yourself either on-seed or in-furrow.

VAULT SP is a highly potent, sterile peat-based inoculant for on-seed application.

VAULT SP contains the USDA-patented TA-11 Nod+ rhizobia strain proven to increase yields in soybeans. VAULT SP is packaged in convenient 28-ounce packets that will treat up to 1,000 pounds of seed.

“Inoculating soybeans is a sound management decision that can deliver an outstanding return on investment. But for maximum results, be sure to use a fresh product like VAULT - the only inoculant guaranteed to be made fresh for the 2008 growing season,” Wilke says.

You can learn more about VAULT LVL and the other VAULT inoculants by visiting www.weproveit.com or by talking to your local dealer or seed treater. Call 1-800-892-2013 if you need help locating a dealer in your area. You can also visit www.beckerunderwood.com for additional information on the extensive line of seed enhancements offered by Becker Underwood.