Released at the BASF Agricultural Solutions Media Summit, findings identify opportunities for reinforcing positive attitudes toward the agriculture industry

CHICAGO, IL, June 9, 2010 – When it comes to sound agricultural practices, there is more trust and optimism among consumers than some media portrayals might suggest, according to an industry-leading survey by BASF. Survey findings were released during the “A Grounded Approach to Agricultural Sustainability” media summit hosted by BASF today.

Consumers take an optimistic view of farmland stewardship practices, and believe the industry will continue to improve sustainability efforts. Similarly, when asked to gauge their own priorities and views on environmental stewardship, growers also held a positive view.

“Consumers trust growers more than growers probably expect them to,” said Paul Rea, Vice President of BASF U.S. Crop Operations. “This is a strong foundation that the agricultural industry can build on in its goal to improve …more

Greensboro, N.C., USA, May 26, 2010 — This season, growers can join the fight to weed out hunger by purchasing Halex® GT post-emergence corn herbicide for their glyphosate-tolerant corn acres. Through the Halex GT Weeding out Hunger™ campaign, a portion of 2010 herbicide sales will be donated to local Feeding America® food banks to help alleviate hunger in local communities across the Corn Belt.

“When growers purchase Halex GT in 2010 to treat their corn, they’ll be giving back to their neighbors in need,” said Carroll Moseley, herbicide brand manager for Syngenta Crop Protection. “We’re going to donate a portion of sales, up to $100,000, to Feeding America food banks in communities across the country and that gives growers another reason to choose Halex GT over the competitors.”

In a year when weed populations will be heavier and more difficult to control because of early planting, it is …more

Greensboro, NC, USA, May 13, 2010 – Syngenta announced today a donation of $10,000 to the American Red Cross for the Haiti relief effort, signifying the completion of the Syngenta Heartland Laser Tour campaign which featured the science behind Plant Performance™ and ran between February 16 and April 1, 2010.

“We wanted to bring the science behind Plant Performance to growers in a unique and educational way, while also helping those in Haiti who were left without food or shelter after the earthquake,” said Wendell Calhoun, communication manager at Syngenta Crop Protection. “Through advances in science Syngenta can help to better feed the world, but as farmers’ know nothing can stop the devastating effects of Mother Nature. We believe donating to help earthquake victims on behalf of the American farmer honors their generosity and persevering spirit.”

Kicking off at the 2010 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, …more

Urbandale, Iowa (AgPR) (April 28, 2010) –Deere and Company (collectively called John Deere) made a generous contribution to Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. Founded in 1837, Deere and Company manufactures agricultural, forestry, and construction equipment in addition to John Deere Credit, one of the largest equipment finance companies in the world. Deere and Company made a platinum donation between $50,000 and $99,999.

“Deere and Company’s generous donation supporting Farm Safety 4 Just Kids really speaks to their core values of integrity, quality, commitment, and innovation,” said Dave Schweitz, executive director of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. “Thanks to Deere and Company we will be able to continue keeping our rural youth safe.”

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids was created in 1987 by Marilyn Adams after the death of her 11-year-old son. The organization works to raise awareness about the health and safety hazards that are an inherent part of the …more

Syngenta announced today that it has entered into a long-term multi-crop partnership with Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, to advance solutions for Brazilian growers to improve crop quality and yield. The agreement will initially focus on opportunities in corn, cotton and soybean and will benefit Brazilian growers both large and small.

Syngenta and Embrapa will work together to broaden the offer of technologies in corn, including seeds. In cotton, Syngenta is field testing Embrapa’s seed varieties with customers of different regions to identify potential integrated solutions. In soybean, Syngenta and Embrapa will share expertise to identify and treat the main diseases and nematodes. The partnership aims to extend to other crops such as sugarcane, as well as into other Latin American countries.

“Syngenta and Embrapa are both committed to bringing science and innovation to Brazilian agriculture to offer growers an integrated portfolio of solutions,” said John …more

Greensboro, NC, USA, April 22, 2010 – On Earth Day 2010, Syngenta announced that it has become a founding member of the Sustainability Consortium, an independent group of diverse stakeholders working to advance consumer product sustainability through science-based platforms. The global effort is focused on all phases of a product’s life cycle and engages scientists from leading academic, governmental, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and business sectors. The consortium is administered by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University.

“Syngenta is focused upon helping to ensure food security for a global population that will reach nine billion people by 2050,” said Jennifer Shaw, Head Sustainability, North America. “This is a very significant new opportunity for engagement to support the sustainability of agriculture and bring a balance of economic, environmental and societal benefits to the world at large and the people who grow the crops that feed us. Technologies that enable growing …more

JOHNSTON, Iowa — April 12, 2010 — John Deere today announced the establishment of

John Deere Insurance Company, formed to strengthen its position in crop insurance. Since entering into crop insurance in 2005 as a managing general agency (MGA), John Deere Risk Protection, Inc. has leveraged John Deere’s strong brand and expertise in agriculture to help customers with insurance protection against yield and price loss to their crops.

Don Preusser, President of John Deere Insurance Company, stated, “This new insurance company will allow us to further invest in the future of agricultural insurance and is part of an ongoing commitment to our John Deere crop insurance agencies and customers.”

Subject to federal regulatory approval, John Deere Insurance Company expects to become an Approved Insurance Provider of the Federal Multiple Peril Crop Insurance program. John Deere Insurance Company will operate its crop insurance business in 40 states and is rated A- …more

AMES, Iowa - Experts from around the world will gather to share current research and perspectives on seed trade and biotechnology innovation April 27-28 in Ames, at the seventh annual symposium of Iowa State University’s Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP).

The symposium, “Food, Feed, and Fuel for the World: Seed and Biotechnology” will be from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 27, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 28, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Dr., Ames.

“Increased attention is being given to food and fuel production challenges around the world,” said Jeff Wolt, professor of agronomy and co-organizer of the event. “This event will offer attendees special insight into the barriers and issues concerning quality seed accessibility and production at the global level.

“It will also offer the rare opportunity to speak face-to-face with individuals who are advancing infrastructure and technology …more

DES MOINES, Iowa, March 18, 2010 - DuPont announced plans to expand its cutting-edge plant genetics research to help farmers increase agricultural productivity. DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred will expand its presence in central Iowa with additional lab facilities and jobs focused on advanced plant genetics.

The planned investment will include new research facilities and space for 400 new research positions based in Johnston, Iowa. This increased investment in research will help meet the global challenge to double agricultural productivity by 2050 and will provide a significant boost to the economy in Iowa.

“First-class research facilities and people are required to deliver innovative solutions to farmers worldwide, and we have both,” said Paul E. Schickler, Pioneer president. “Our planned expansion will take Pioneer’s R&D capabilities to the next level, which is critical to meet the growing demand for agricultural products.”

The proposed $40 million facility will include state-of-the-art …more

Syngenta Seeds Submits EPA Application for Reduced Refuge Lepidopteran-Only Trait Stack in Corn

MINNETONKA, MINN. — March 5, 2010 — Syngenta Seeds, Inc., today announced it has submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an application for the registration of its Agrisure Viptera™ 3220 trait stack, featuring two modes of action against all major lepidopteran corn pests and a reduced refuge of 5% in the Midwestern Corn Belt.

The Agrisure Viptera 3220 trait stack combines the forthcoming Agrisure Viptera trait, featuring the breakthrough Vip3A protein, the industry‘s first ―non-Cry‖ (non-crystalline) insect control protein and a completely new mode of action in corn. In addition, the stack contains the trusted and tested Agrisure® CB/LL trait, the Bt11 event, which has been protecting corn from European corn borer for more than 10 years. The Agrisure GT trait for glyphosate tolerance and the Herculex® I trait for corn borer …more