NK® Brand Seeds announced the release of a new portfolio of corn hybrids with Agrisure(tm) GT Advantage for the 2005 growing season. Available from Syngenta, Agrisure GT Advantage offers in-plant tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides. NK Brand has combined this trait with high-quality germplasm to offer growers even more options for their corn acres.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, herbicide-tolerant corn accounted for approximately 13 percent of 2004 corn acres. With glyphosate-tolerant hybrids grown on many of those acres, Agrisure GT Advantage will give growers a broader range of weed management solutions for 2005.

"The addition of corn hybrids with Agrisure GT Advantage to our corn portfolio allows us to offer growers another tool for their production system," said Jack Bernens, vice-president of marketing for NK Brand Seeds. "We recommend that growers choose hybrids by focusing first on the genetics that best fit their farm. Then they should look at traits and technologies that will help them manage specific production challenges."

Corn Portfolio Adds Six Hybrids with Agrisure GT Advantage
The six new hybrids feature proven genetics for top yields, tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides and range in maturity from 106 to 119 days. Many of these hybrids fit a broad east-to-west geography. In addition, a new NutriCrop® silage-only hybrid delivers high tonnage and feed quality for dairy rations.

Corn hybrids with Agrisure GT Advantage include a risk assurance program regardless of the crop protection products used. Growers choosing to plant these hybrids will also be asked to sign an Agrisure Stewardship and grower license agreement.

According to Bernens, development efforts are currently underway to expand the Agrisure Advantage offerings within the NK Brand portfolio for 2006 and beyond.

"There are places where herbicide-tolerant corn is the best solution for a grower, such as managing perennial weeds," Bernens said. "NK Brand Seeds recommends rotation herbicide modes of action to prevent weed shifts or weed resistance due to increased glyphosate use as a management strategy for preserving this valuable technology for farmers. We already offer many hybrids with LibertyLink® technology, and adding hybrids with Agrisure GT Advantage to our portfolio is another way NK Brand Seeds can help meet customer needs and boost their profitability. Our goal is to deliver more options to the field."

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 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

NK®, Agrisure(tm) and NutriCrop® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. LibertyLink® is a registered trademark of Bayer CropScience.

Summary of Six New NK^® Brand Agrisure™ GT Advantage Hybrid

N58-L8                       Added Traits: Agrisure™ GT Advantage                      Relative Maturity: 106
Featuring strong emergence, very good stalks and roots and excellent drought tolerance, this hybrid responds well in high-yielding environments.

N63-U9                      Added Traits: Agrisure GT Advantage                         Relative Maturity: 108
A proven, dependable yield performer, it offers very good stalks and roots, very good drought tolerance and ear flex for population flexibility.

N75-B1                      Added Traits: Agrisure GT Advantage                         Relative Maturity: 114
Ideal for high-yield environments, this fast-emerging hybrid includes a strong plant health package for areas susceptible to gray leaf spot, as well as excellent stalks and very good roots.

N76-A9                      Added Traits: Agrisure GT Advantage                         Relative Maturity: 115
With ear flex, good drought tolerance and good response to heat stress, this proven hybrids fits well in the western Corn Belt, including southern Nebraska, Kansas and the western High Plains.

N78-D6                      Added Traits: Agrisure GT Advantage                Silage Relative Maturity: 112
A tall, leafy, high-yielding NutriCrop^® silage-only hybrid ideal for dairy rations, it provides high tonnage, high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, high NDF digestibility and low starch content.

N89-V3                      Added Traits: Agrisure GT Advantage                         Relative Maturity: 119
This dual-purpose hybrid carries the agronomics to produce top grain yields, as well as high tonnage and high-quality silage in the Mid-South, Southeast and irrigated West.

NK^®, Agrisure™ and NutriCrop^® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.