More than 3,000 growers and dealers participated in the Syngenta Learning Center program this summer to explore new technology and learn how to profit from more productive crops. With sites located in six Midwest states, the Syngenta Learning Centers provided participants an opportunity to study integrated agronomic solutions under local conditions. Following their participation, 93 percent of attendees reported their intention to adjust their production practices based on what was learned at the site.

“We are trying to help growers reduce the time and investment to conduct their own on-farm research by exploring integrated agronomic solutions for them,” says Jim Elliott, AgriEdge Manager, Solutions Group and head of the Syngenta Learning Center program. “Syngenta closely observes the trials throughout the growing season noticing everything from pest pressure to weed competition, and we include them in our year-end analysis. Growers can consider our observations in their decision-making process and we will use the results to plan next year’s trials.”

The Syngenta Learning Center sites are uniquely designed for local challenges including weather patterns, soil types and crop pests. The program explores agronomic solutions to help growers raise more profitable crops.

For example, preliminary weed sample observations from the nitrogen management trial in Iowa indicate early season weeds in the total post treatment removed critical soil moisture and 9.5 lbs/A nitrogen, resulting in an estimated yield loss of 20 bu/A*. This is due to early season weed competition in the total-post treatment reducing the biomass of corn plants by 68 percent as compared to biomass in a 2-pass weed control system that provided effective control. Trial results will be confirmed at harvest.

“The solutions presented at the Demonstration Days will save money and help us out,” said Bernard DeVuyst of Ithaca, Mich.

Core trials at 2006 Syngenta Learning Centers included “Feed Your Corn—Not Your Weeds,” “Get to the Root—Managing Corn Rootworm,” “Know Your Bean—Grow Your Yield” and “Continuing the Quest for 100+ bu/A Soybeans.”

The trials were showcased during the hands-on Demonstration Days held in July and August and conducted by leading industry agronomists and representatives from five distinguished universities, including Dr. Palle Pedersen of Iowa State University and Dr. Fred Below of the University of Illinois.

Demonstration Days were an opportunity for growers to see Syngenta’s complete portfolio in action through the integrated trials combining crop protection, seed treatment, Agrisure™ traits, Garst® and NK® Brand. The trials also explored new technology from infrared sensing to tillage practices, fertilization rates and more.

“The pushing of ideas instead of products comes through in how the Syngenta Learning Center Demonstration Days were set up,” said Jerry Nelson of Fairfield, Iowa. “I really like how Syngenta put together all the current farming topics and presented them in a way local farmers can use the information.”

All of the trials at the Syngenta Learning Centers are being harvested. The data from the trials will be analyzed and shared this winter. For more information, please visit www.learningcenters.farmassist.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 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). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

*Estimated yield loss from WeedSOFT® computer models. WeedSOFT® is a registered trademark of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

AgriEdge™, Agrisure™, Explore.Learn.Profit.™, NK® and the Syngenta Learning Center logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Garst® is a trademark of Garst Seed Company.