Syngenta Thrive

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Most researchers whose life’s work is addressing the prevalence and impact of plant viruses say they aren’t a new agricultural problem. But viruses evolve and adapt rapidly, posing a challenge that’s intensifying over time — intensifying as in causing $60 billion in crop losses worldwide, according to a 2019 estimate.1 Pre-pandemic, we might have referred to this growing threat as “going viral” — after all, we are talking about viruses. Since this feels like a good time to retire that phrase, let’s instead say we have a problem with microorganisms going macro.

It’s an impact that can devastate a field. For instance, the Soybean Research & Information Initiative reports:2

  • Yield losses of nearly 52% in southern germplasm due to bean pod mottle virus (BPMV)
  • Losses from soybean mosaic virus (SMV) as high as 94%.
  • Complete yield loss in many cases when both BPMV and SMV infect soybeans, because symptoms are more severe than those either virus produces alone

The double whammy of BPMV and SMV is one instance of a phenomenon known as viral synergism.

Viral synergism and climate change are among the factors contributing to the prevalence and severity of viral disease, according to associate professor and South Dakota State University Extension plant pathologist Emmanuel Byamukama, Ph.D.

“Viral synergism, when multiple species are playing tag team in an infected plant, has been observed more frequently and can result in increased accumulation of one or more viruses, causing more severe symptoms than if only one was present,” Byamukama says.

In regard to climate change, he says, warmer temperatures for longer periods of time extend the reproduction period and life span of insect vectors, allowing more opportunity for virus transmission.

Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach

Kiran Shetty, Ph.D., Syngenta technical development lead for potatoes, points out that viruses continually evolve. Through mutation, recombination and genetic material changes, viruses reorganize and adapt.

For instance, the number of Potato Virus Y (PVY) strains detected in U.S. potato fields has increased substantially. “Before the 2000s, we only had one strain of PVY impacting commercial potato production, and it primarily resulted in yield loss,” says Jonathan Whitworth, Ph.D., a research plant pathologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). “Since then, we have identified several new strains of PVY in grower fields that are also causing necrosis, which impacts tuber quality as well.”

The good news is that through advancements in technology and global connectivity, researchers and breeders can share information more rapidly, identify potential challenges more quickly, and leverage tools and resources to fight the battle head on. That connectivity is essential to the multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach needed to control viruses.

Regulators concentrate on containing viruses. Certified seed organizations help ensure a clean start. Entomologists evaluate insect control measures. And breeders focus on developing resistant varieties.

Containing A Virus

Because there is no cure for viruses nor a way to control them once they infect a plant, preventive measures are the best way to reduce viral risk. “The best line of defense against a virus is to keep it out,” Byamukama says. “On a global scale, we do this by ensuring that plant materials being imported from other countries or being transported from one region of the U.S. to another are clean and don’t hide pathogens and arthropods.”

On-farm, commercial growers can minimize the risk of infection by using certified seed. In the case of potatoes, stem cutting and micropropagation techniques, in which plantlets are grown in tissue culture, help obtain pest-free potato plants for propagation and production of certified seed tubers. Several generations of plants are grown in the field to produce certified seed tubers for commercial growers.

“PVY can be highly detrimental to seed growers, as it greatly impacts their ability to sell higher-quality seed,” Whitworth says. “For the commercial grower, the biggest impact is probably yield loss. Our studies have shown that for about every 1% of PVY you have in a commercial crop, you can lose about 1.5 sacks, or 150 pounds, of potatoes. And the quality defects caused by necrosis can result in a lot being rejected by the buyer.”

“Detection and proper diagnosis during the certification process help ensure that seed pieces do not carry viruses into a newly planted commercial field,” Shetty says. “The states in the Pacific Northwest, for instance, work very closely to ensure that seed lots are not infected with potentially damaging viruses like PVY.”

Hygiene is important at the farm level as well. Cleaning equipment before transporting it between fields is an important prevention measure growers can implement to reduce spread.

Controlling the Vector Factor

The next step to protecting commercial crops from viruses is controlling the vectors. In most cases, the vectors that transmit plant viruses from one living plant to another are insects. Though some vectors are more efficient than others, all must be controlled to stop the spread.

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The neonicotinoid class of chemistry was introduced just before the turn of the century. And since the introduction, there has been a marked reduction of PLRV in potatoes in North America.

Kiran Shetty, Ph.D. Technical Development Lead for Potatoes at Syngenta

Byamukama warns, “By the time you see symptoms in the field, it is too late. Once one plant in the field is infected, you can’t cure it – you can only prevent the virus’s spread to other plants.”

Applications to stop the spread can sometimes start with seed treatments.

For instance, Byamukama says, “Bean leaf beetles, the vector of BPMV, survive the winter as adults and emerge in the spring to feed on seedling plants. A seed treatment insecticide kills the vector upon feeding, which means it will only affect that one plant, if the beetle was already carrying the virus in its body – as opposed to the beetle’s feeding and transmitting the virus to several plants in the same field.”

In potatoes, the use of neonicotinoid insecticides has been instrumental in the control of the aphid species that transmit potato leafroll virus (PLRV). PLRV can cause yield loss and tuber net necrosis, making harvested potatoes unsuitable for fresh market, processing or seed.

“The neonicotinoid class of chemistry was introduced just before the turn of the century,” Shetty says. “And since the introduction, there has been a marked reduction of PLRV in potatoes in North America. Syngenta has been a leader in the development of potato seed treatments containing neonicotinoids that protect young plants from the get-go.”

For viruses that primarily affect plants in early stages of development, producers can adjust planting to avoid times when vectors are active. Vectors will move to other hosts, eliminating concurrency of the crop and vectors in the field.

Breeding for Built-in Protection

In-field measures are the opening act in controlling plant viruses. The endgame is breeding varieties with genetic resistance.

All plants have natural defense mechanisms, including resistance to viruses. Breeders select for these beneficial genetics for built-in protection. “In extension, we like to refer to resistant varieties as the low-hanging fruit,” Byamukama says. “They do not cost much more than susceptible varieties, and, if plants do become infected, they help reduce the severity of symptoms to protect crop yield and quality.”

In the world of produce, quality is of utmost importance and can make or break a crop. Preventing viruses in fruiting vegetable crops, such as tomatoes, is a must due to the market’s strict quality standards.

“When growing fruiting crops, pesticide use is highly restricted once the fruit is developed. “The ability to leverage genetic resistance as a primary solution is critical,” says Gregori Bonnet, Syngenta seeds principal scientist, who leads a team of trait project leads dedicated to developing genetic resistance in fruiting crops.

According to Ruud Kaagman, global crop unit head for tomatoes, Syngenta screens thousands of tomato lines, and wild material, annually to identify those that exhibit natural resistance to viruses.

“Syngenta has a global center of excellence with the resources and knowledge to solve major disease issues,” Kaagman says. “We are able to identify sustainable solutions in addressing potential outbreaks long-term by combining different resistances and resistance mechanisms.”

Tobamoviruses, a diverse group of viruses that caused severe outbreaks in tomatoes in recent years, are a primary focus for Syngenta. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which first emerged in Israel in 2014, has spread to tomato fields and greenhouses across the Middle East, Europe, Mexico, North America and other parts of the world. ToBRFV damages the quality and yield of tomato crops and has forced the temporary shutdown of some major greenhouse operations.

Earlier this year, Syngenta introduced its second beefsteak tomato variety with resistance to ToBRFV and plans to introduce broad resistance into its full portfolio of tomato varieties over the next several years.

In potatoes, the USDA is working closely with industry partners to encourage the adoption of resistant varieties through grower education.

“We have multidisciplinary grants focused on viruses that cause necrotic defects in tubers and have done PVY demonstration plots in Washington, Wisconsin and Maine with as many as 20 varieties, specific to each region,” Whitworth says. “These real-time educational experiences show growers how the virus is expressed in plants and allow us to focus on how resistant varieties, combined with cultural practices, can prevent viral infection and protect crop yield and quality.”

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1 Pierre Lefeuvre, Darren P. Martin, Santiago F. Elena, Dionne N. Shepherd, Philippe Roumagnac, Arvind Varsani. Evolution and ecology of plant viruses. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019

2 https://www.soybeanresearchinfo.com/diseases/soybeanviruses.html

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As we head into a mid-term election year, the policies impacting agriculture are regularly in the headlines.

“Over the last few years, the words ‘farming,’ ‘agriculture’ and ‘rural America’ have been in the national media more so than at any other point in my lifetime,” says Kelsey Barnes, federal government relations manager at Syngenta. “Many U.S. farmers realize now more than ever how regulations and the political environment in Washington, D.C., impact their operations.”

But even with constant media coverage, it’s hard to keep up with the changes.

Keeping Stepped-Up Basis

To the relief of many farmers, stepped-up basis is no longer in imminent danger of elimination. As farms pass from generation to generation, land values tend to increase. With stepped-up basis, farms’ successors only pay capital gains taxes on property value increases since the land was inherited. Without stepped-up basis, they would pay taxes on the full increase in value since the time that the land was originally purchased by a relative.

“Eliminating stepped-up basis would make it nearly impossible for many family farms to continue,” Barnes says. “We hear a lot about protecting small family farms; but without stepped-up basis, many farmers would be forced to sell land in order to pay taxes.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) analysis, eliminating stepped-up basis would create a new tax burden for 17% of small farms, 66% of midsized farms, 80% of large farms and 96% of very large farm operations.

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Eliminating stepped-up basis would make it nearly impossible for many family farms to continue. We hear a lot about protecting small family farms; but without stepped-up basis many farmers would be forced to sell land in order to pay taxes.

Kelsey Barnes Federal Government Relations Manager at Syngenta

Needing Clarity About the Denial Decree

Mexico’s timelines or details around the phasing out of glyphosate are murky after publishing a decree banning its use as well as banning imports of genetically modified (GMO) corn by 2024. Follow-through on this decree could negatively impact American corn growers, as Mexico is a top export market for U.S. corn. Mexico demonstrated a committed anti-GMO stance recently when it rejected a new Bayer stacked corn trait, but a lack of clarity makes it hard for the U.S. agriculture industry to forecast or prepare for the transition.

“While there haven’t been further signals of how the transition will roll out, this development is not a promising sign for any companies, including Syngenta, that have biotech lined up,” Barnes says. “Even worse, if they were to ban all importation of GMO corn, we would likely see a rapid decline in the U.S. corn market, and Mexico would see a rapid increase in food prices.”

Connecting Rural America

In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission found that 18.3 million Americans lack access to broadband internet. Other research organizations put the number closer to 42 million. Rural communities may, however, see improvements soon. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates $65 billion to broadband infrastructure. Of this, $2 billion of this will go directly to the USDA’s ReConnect Program. This is in addition to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s late 2021 announcement opening applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants for expanding the availability of broadband in rural areas through the ReConnect Program.

“This is a significant increase in rural broadband funding and can only positively impact our customers and employees,” Barnes says. “When farmers in rural America have access to quality internet, it’s easier for them to connect to products and resources that benefit their families and farms.”

Making an Impact

Syngenta is committed to advancing policies that improve the lives and operations of U.S. farmers. The Syngenta Corporation Employee Political Action Committee (Syngenta PAC) is an employee-based political action committee committed to taking proactive measures in government affairs. The Syngenta PAC is on the front lines advocating policy outcomes that will favorably impact individuals in the ag industry.

“The Syngenta Corporation Employee Political Action Committee is entirely funded by employees — not Syngenta as a company,” says Barnes. “These are employees who are contributing, because they believe in the importance of supporting policies and members of Congress who support their business interest, the agriculture industry and their growers.”

The Syngenta PAC supports candidates and members of Congress who promote the ag industry’s Freedom to Operate.

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Available information around these policies is rapidly changing. Please note that the information included in this article is reflective of the status as of early December 2021.

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“We have access to top Syngenta Seedcare™ specialists and scientists who explain how the products benefit growers,” says Kyle McClelland, seed and technical agronomy manager for Brandt. “It’s invaluable for us to have that level of dialogue because we can bring that information to our customers, separating insight and knowledge from the noise in the marketplace, and help them make the right decisions.”

For over a decade, Illinois-based retailer Brandt provided quality Syngenta products to their customers, worked with Syngenta to resolve agronomic issues and built a level of trust that set the stage for an expanded partnership. Now Syngenta supports most of the Brandt seed treatment business. This didn’t happen overnight. The two companies built the decision on a longstanding relationship and their common goal ‒ helping growers succeed.

Fostering Growth

Wade Meteer, sales representative for Syngenta, first performed a needs assessment for Brandt and determined a path forward. The path included a direct line to The Seedcare Institute™, a Syngenta network of facilities that test seed treatment performance in controlled environments to match the needs and requests of customers. The Institute’s U.S. facility, located in Stanton, Minnesota, worked directly with Brandt employees and performed a live demonstration of Syngenta Seedcare formulation technology to answer questions and highlight benefits.

Meteer praises Brandy for its customer focus. “Brandt works in the interest of growers to maximize their potential return on investment. Syngenta resonates with that mindset, and our seed treatment products fit this shared goal,” Meteer says.

McClelland knew he could depend on Meteer and the Syngenta team’s product knowledge and support to help deliver top-notch customer service to growers. Before McClelland moved up to his current role with Brandt, Meteer sometimes accompanied him on calls.

“Our customers trust us to make the right decisions for their farms,” McClelland says. “I think when they rely on us that heavily, it’s helpful that we can rely on the people at Syngenta. It makes for a great partnership from top to bottom.”

Dave Byrum, Syngenta Seedcare specialist and technical resource for Brandt, emphasizes the value of collaboration.

“Wade and those at Brandt have built a rapport and trust with each other, so broadening the Syngenta seed treatment portfolio was a true team effort,” Byrum says.

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Our customers trust us to make the right decisions for their farms. I think when they rely on us that heavily, it’s helpful that we can rely on the people at Syngenta.

Kyle McClelland Seed and Technical Agronomy Manager at Brandt

Brandt and Syngenta worked together for years bringing crop protection products to farmers, however, developing the seed treatment business was new territory. The longstanding partnership gave McClelland confidence that whatever challenges arose, Syngenta would provide the solutions needed to help keep his customers and their operations profitable.

Meteer says expanding the seed treatment business with Brandt requires frequent conversations re-evaluating the partnership’s objectives. Working together successfully means learning what each company needs and how to achieve their goals.

Building Trust

While mutual company objectives are important, a successful partnership goes beyond aligning business goals. The participants must also build trust among one another. McClelland takes pride in the fact that Brandt is a family-owned business that works with people who also care about their customers.

“When someone has the character, professionalism, knowledge and integrity of Wade Meteer, you do business with that person,” McClelland says.

Meteer emphasizes the role communication plays in his work with Brandt. When a Brandt employee calls him with questions, he’ll either have answers or find someone who does and report back quickly. Syngenta agronomic support teams constantly test and refine product recommendations in local geographies. Meteer says the information those teams provide is crucial in helping him give quick and accurate answers to the questions he receives.

For the past three years, nearly all seed treatment products Brandt has been carrying are from Syngenta. While Syngenta is proud of that achievement, there’s always room for improvement and better understanding.

“Maintaining the partnership requires not losing sight of what got us there. We still do yearly technical update meetings with Brandt from an agronomy and application service standpoint,” Byrum says. “We treat them like the top-shelf customer they are.”

Discovering Superior Performance

The personal bonds between the companies are strong, but Brandt wouldn’t partner with Syngenta if they didn’t provide top-tier products. McClelland is impressed with Syngenta seed treatments’ field performance as well as the convenience from a treatability, stability and packaging standpoint.

CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® insecticide/fungicide seed treatment and Saltro® fungicide seed treatment are two flagship products that drive a high crop response for growers. McClelland says CruiserMaxx Vibrance offers broad-spectrum protection from the major seedling diseases challenging growers in central Illinois. “The ease of use and the treatability of CruiserMaxx Vibrance in my opinion is second to none in the industry,” McClelland says. “And with Saltro, there are fewer agronomic issues, and it’s a no-brainer to use it on the majority of our acres here at Brandt.”

With room to grow, excellent company relationships, and proven product performance, this partnership is poised to provide solutions to farmers’ challenges for many years.

“We follow through on what we promise,” Meteer says, “and that’s what drives this long-term relationship.”

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Cover image: Wade Meteer, sales representative for Syngenta, (left) and Kyle McClelland, seed and technical agronomy manager for Brandt, (right) inspect a flourishing soybean field in Pleasant Plains, Illinois. The crop got an early boost from Saltro fungicide seed treatment and CruiserMaxx Vibrance insecticide/fungicide seed treatment. Photography by Seth Lowe. 

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Pilot programs give organizations the opportunity to refine their approach, developing models that allow for larger scale impacts. That was the idea behind the BioCarbon Fund, a pilot project the World Bank managed from 2004 to 2020. Public- and private-sector partners worked on the project with smallholder farmers to create accounting methods for greenhouse gas emissions and finance plans incentivizing farmers to use sustainable farming practices. The lessons the partners learned now inform carbon sequestration and carbon-credit efforts across the world, including the U.S.

Emission reductions in agriculture can come from a variety of activities, including reducing emissions from farming itself through steps like the improvement of input-use efficiency or from trapping carbon in the soil by means of conservation agriculture. A farmer earns carbon credits through participation in a voluntary carbon market and meeting carbon-reduction criteria. When these markets’ emitters purchase a farmer’s carbon credits to offset their own emissions, the farmer benefits financially for his or her sustainable farming practices.

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We believe that if farmers produce societal benefits, they should be rewarded. Carbon credits looked, and still look, like a promising tool to do that.

Dominik Klauser Research and Development Lead Syngenta Foundation

In the BioCarbon Fund program, nongovernmental organizations in Zambia and Kenya facilitated interaction with smallholder farmers. The Syngenta Foundation, which focuses on bringing innovation to smallholders, provided those organizations with agronomic advice and connections to sustainable-farming solutions.

“Incentive systems are largely missing in developing countries,” says Dominik Klauser, research and development lead at the Syngenta Foundation. “We believe that if farmers produce societal benefits, they should be rewarded. Carbon credits looked, and still look, like a promising tool to do that.”

An important lesson learned from the BioCarbon Fund is that financial benefits multiply if program administrators invest in good outreach and input provision systems. For example, farmers’ productivity more than doubled in Kenya through the extension and inputs financed by sales of carbon credits through the BioCarbon Fund.

“Apart from being an investor, our role in the BioCarbon program also included co-creation of the first methodology for issuing carbon credits based on emission reductions from agricultural activities,” Klauser says.

In its ongoing efforts to help smallholder farmers, The Syngenta Foundation is currently working with the One Acre Fund. The program assists more than 1 million farmers in eastern Africa, improving their productivity and livelihoods through the provision of quality inputs — including seed, fertilizer and crop protection products — and extension services.

“The objective is to identify elements of the One Acre Fund’s work that can be used as a basis for partner farmers to obtain carbon payments,” Klauser says. “We have identified several promising areas of intervention. Pilots will take place in Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda.”

Smallholders in developing countries lack access to many things North American farmers take for granted, says Paul Castle, head of communications at the Syngenta Foundation. “The Syngenta Foundation continues to help smallholders by focusing on insurance, good seed and agricultural services.”

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Ensuring a sustainable food supply requires each of us to play a role in preserving our land and protecting pollinators. Syngenta understands the importance of the interconnectedness of agriculture and nature and is committed to helping biodiversity thrive.

Taking strides toward sustainable agriculture helps promote an industry that can successfully feed today’s consumers while safeguarding pollinators and conserving the environment for generations to come. The Good Growth Plan highlights our ongoing commitments and initiatives to support farmers and the environment through 2025. And, with our Operation Pollinator program, we are focused on creating essential habitats to restore pollinators on agricultural land, on golf courses and within other landscapes.

We invite you to explore our new, interactive biodiversity infographic and resources by visiting www.Syngenta-US.com/Biodiversity. Together, we can help biodiversity flourish and bring plant potential to life.

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Breanna Chavez is starting a new chapter in her life. Chavez, the 2021 valedictorian at Harmony High School in Big Sandy, Texas, and first in her family to attend college, is in her first semester at Texas A&M University – and she has a little help from Syngenta.

Chavez is one of six students who earned a $2,500 scholarship and a donation to the charity of their choosing through the Syngenta Accelerating a Generation Scholarship program, which is managed by the National FFA Organization (FFA).

Chavez directed her donation to the Texas FFA Foundation and looks forward to the next steps in her agricultural pursuits. “This scholarship means the opportunity to attend college as a first-generation college student,” she says. “It’s a real self-esteem booster to know that an organization on the national level believes in me.”

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It’s a real self-esteem booster to know that an organization on the national level believes in me.

Breanna Chavez Scholarship Winner

Chavez saw the importance of nutrition in order to live a healthy life through her agriculture courses and time in FFA. She is majoring in nutrition to help people and because it’s a strong platform for agricultural advocacy. “Throughout my time in FFA, I completed Agriscience Fair research projects and even won nationals with my studies regarding nutrition. It became clear that my passion for this topic is desperately needed,” Chavez says.

Charities around the country are benefiting from the hard work and dedication of these young scholars.

Another 2021 scholarship recipient, Madison Hargarten of Winchester, Indiana, directed her donation to the Winchester Community Garden. She says she’s happy pursuing her passion for agriculture, and the scholarship helps relieve financial stress as she heads to Purdue University to major in agricultural economics. “I love being immersed in agriculture, whether that’s being in the barn or mentoring younger kids,” Hargarten says. “Doing something every day that makes me this happy reassures me in my career path decisions. This scholarship helps me achieve my goals.”

Rewarding High-Yielding Talent

A talented group of students applied to the 2021 Syngenta-funded scholarship program. In addition to Chavez and Hargarten, selected winners and their designated charities include:

  • Leah Hudson from Topeka, Kansas; Kansas State University student majoring in agronomy & crop science; designated charity: Kansas 4-H
  • LeAnne Pace from Mount Hope, Alabama; Auburn University student majoring in environmental science; designated charity: Lawrence County Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
  • Leslie Webb from Greenwood, Delaware; University of Delaware student majoring in environmental engineering; designated charity: Delaware 4-H Foundation
  • Elise Wilkins from Tekoa, Washington; Montana State University student majoring in agricultural business management; designated charity: Second Chance Ranch of Spokane

Like Chavez and Hargarten, this class of talented students are excited about using those talents to improve the industry they love.

Kim Weseli, senior regional director of the National FFA Foundation, sees bright futures for these scholarship recipients. “The possibilities for these winners are limitless. They’re our future scientists, community leaders, national politicians, farmers feeding the world, front-line heroes and the list goes on,” Weseli says.

Looking Forward

Stewarding the next generation is an agricultural tradition that keeps the U.S. agricultural industry strong. “It’s essential for students to feel supported in agriculture because the industry must train the next generation of agricultural leaders,” says Pam Caraway, communications lead for Syngenta. “The strength of our industry is the people who lead it. Investing in the next generation is a path to continual growth as we continue to raise the level of crop performance, enhance the land through our stewardship and develop new technology to help us provide food, fiber and fuel to the world.”

Visit ffa.org/scholarships to learn more.

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Instead of spending hours trudging through wheat, barley and potato fields hoping he gets a good idea of what overall field health looks like, Brad Nielson takes a bird’s eye view, saving him time and boot tread. Aerial imagery aids diagnosis for Nielson, an agronomist for Walters Produce in Newdale, Idaho, making his scouting more efficient. “In a year like this, imagery pays for itself in crop quality and crop health,” he says. Nielsen relies on FarmShots™, a satellite imagery platform that integrates scouting and variable rate prescriptions for farmers, agronomists and retailers.

“We have center-pivot irrigation on almost every acre, but we must be good stewards because the Northwest is in a major drought,” he says. “We’re trying not to over irrigate, but we can’t afford to under-irrigate either. We’ve used FarmShots to try to find inconsistencies in our watering patterns.”

With center-pivot irrigation, a partially plugged or incorrectly sized nozzle is detrimental, but those issues are hard to recognize from the ground before crop damage occurs. Using satellite imagery, in this case FarmShots, Nielson takes a daily look at how fields respond to irrigation and the toll taken by abiotic stressors. If the imagery starts showing stress in a circular pattern, for example, he knows to look closely at the irrigation system to find the source of the stress.

Management with a Bird’s-Eye View

Drones and satellite imagery are increasingly popular as farmers strive to be more sustainable and cost-efficient. Because these tools provide a whole-field perspective, they help guide management decisions that must be made at harvest.

“When you think about the size and scale of some of the farms we see today and how much physical scouting one person can do, drones and satellite imagery make it possible to manage the crop despite those limitations,” says Rob Austin, North Carolina State University precision agriculture specialist. “They can cover a lot more acres.”

As farms consolidate, Austin anticipates that the use of drones or satellites — and possibly the two synergistically — will only increase. (If you’re wondering if one or the other would be a better fit for your farm, see the side-by-side comparison at the bottom of this page.)

Drones require more of a do-it-yourself approach than satellite imagery. Drones also have more restrictions and a greater learning curve. Austin warns potential operators to be sure to understand state and Federal Aviation Administration requirements before investing in drone technology.

Know What to Expect with Satellites

Because satellite imagery isn’t a do-it-yourself tool, it’s important for users to understand their options. For FarmShots specifically, several different types of images are available.

“The satellites provide an aerial view of what’s happening on the ground,” says Gina Sanson, FarmShots product marketing manager. “One of the most beneficial images is NDVI [normalized difference vegetation index]. It measures plant health by determining how much light a plant is absorbing versus how much it’s reflecting.

NDVI and other algorithms being applied to images mean you’re not simply relying on the naked eye to recognize color difference in fields, Nielson explains. This simplifies input decisions, harvest decisions and other plant health choices that may impact your bottom line each season.

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In a year like this, imagery pays for itself in crop quality and crop health.

Brad Nielson Agronomist at Walters Produce

“You can look at an image with some of these algorithms and filter out the noise that comes from having bare dirt in the field like in the early season,” Nielson explains. “This gives us a better idea of the actual plant health.

Nielson participated in a pilot project this past year that evaluated the value of daily high-resolution imagery. “This year we’re getting an image every day. Because FarmShots is getting photos processed and back to us quicker, it’s been very meaningful as we make decisions. That’s why we used FarmShots this year — they had faster turnaround time on images,” he continues.

FarmShots promises to offer satellite imagery in a simple and straight-forward interface that’s easy to understand. In addition, it’s mobile, desktop and tablet friendly. Users can take scouting notes, find problem locations with GPS tracking, and allow agronomists and input suppliers limited access.

Like the images created by drones and satellites, the future for this technology is clear — and only getting better. Whether in response to growing farm sizes, tight farm economics or the desire to be more sustainable, the use of an eye in the sky may help put money in your hand.

Satellite Imagery Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
Coverage area Global Field-specific
Resolution Meters (from 1 to 30) Centimeters (1 to 10)
Timeliness Daily to weeks Instant
Payload 1000+ pounds 0.5 to 55 pounds (drone + payload maximum)
Airspace restrictions None Yes, uncontrolled airspace (class G) less than 400’ above ground level
Technology reliability Proven New, evolving quickly
Cloud-cover limitations Can obscure images Operates below clouds
Ease-of-use Most require subscriptions Additional skills, registration and time to learn required to collect data
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If you are considering purchasing a drone for farming purposes, it’s important to understand the drone is subject to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations, Part 107.

Here are a few highlights:

  • Operators must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from FAA Part 107.*
  • Aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds, inclusive of payload and cargo.
  • Keep drone within unaided sight.
  • Only fly during daylight hours.
  • Do not exceed 100 mph or 400 feet above ground level.
  • Preflight inspections are required.
  • One aircraft per operator.
  • Aircraft must be registered with FAA and display a registration number.
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*For more information, visit faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators. Refer to Federal, State and Local Laws for Drone Operation Guidelines.

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On December 31, 2020, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a decree with major implications for American farmers. He announced Mexico was phasing out the use of genetically modified (GM) corn for human consumption and banning the use of glyphosate. So much for a “Happy New Year.”

“It’s a serious threat to American agriculture,” says Kevin Ross, a sixth-generation corn grower from Minden, Iowa, and chairman of the board of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “It’s something we haven’t seen before in our relationship with Mexico, which is a top export market for U.S. corn.”

Obrador’s goal in signing the decree, the equivalent of an American presidential executive order, is to help Mexico achieve self-sufficiency and food sovereignty. The decree calls for the phasing out of GM corn by January 2024.

The GM announcement is just one troubling factor in the U.S. relationship with its southern neighbor. Trade with Mexico also is slipping because of other regulatory action – or inaction.

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Mexico has been one of our most reliable markets for corn and is almost always our No.1 or No.2 export market.

Rosy Brummette Manager of Public Policy at NCGA

High-level government officials in Mexico have put together a list of 80 crop-protection products — including atrazine, 2,4-D, neonicotinoids and pyrethroids — that Mexico considers hazardous. They will likely be put, like glyphosate, on a ban list. Currently, 2,000 delayed pesticide registrations are awaiting approval in Mexico. “These delays have created an estimated $500 million loss in U.S. sales of crop protection products from 2015 through 2019,” says Mary Kay Thatcher, senior manager of Federal Government and Industry Relations at Syngenta.

The Mexican government hasn’t approved any biotech traits since Obrador took office in 2018. “Like some European leaders, Obrador follows the precautionary principle,” says Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). The precautionary principle, often used by the European Union, bases decisions on potential hazards rather than science.

Obrador’s decree is not based on a comprehensive risk assessment. “This is a troubling shift within Mexico’s regulatory processes because it sidesteps science,” says Rosy Brummette, manager of public policy for NCGA. “We don’t want this to set a precedent.”

While Mexico wants to become self-sufficient in corn production, without glyphosate or biotech traits, Obrador’s decree doesn’t follow international trade rules. “Mexico’s failure to approve any biotech traits, and Obrador’s decree regarding GM corn and glyphosate, are contrary to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),” LeGrand says. “This can’t stand.”

The Stakes are High

Mexico provides a major market for U.S. corn and policies that potentially impede this are very concerning. “Mexico has been one of our most reliable markets for corn and is almost always our No.1 or No.2 export market,” Brummette says.

During the 2018-2019 marketing year through April 2020, U.S. corn exports to Mexico accounted for nearly 40% of total U.S. shipments and hit record-high values, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). In addition, the United States supplied 96% of Mexico’s total corn imports in 2018-2019.

Of the 20.4 million metric tons of corn Mexico imported from the U.S. during 2018-2019 marketing year through March 2020, 95% was yellow corn, ERS adds. To replace these imports, Mexican farmers would need to dramatically increase domestic production.

The USGC has no plans to stop promoting U.S. corn in Mexico. “We’re moving full speed ahead with export marketing programs,” says Heidi Bringenberg, assistant director for Mexico, USGC.

This approach provides important benefits for Mexico, where more than half of its citizens live in poverty. Since Mexico is a feed-deficit country, U.S. corn imports help feed poultry and swine, providing protein sources that boost the food security of the Mexican population.

Despite Obrador’s decree, there have been no trade disruptions yet. “In fact, U.S. corn exports to Mexico have increased in the past year,” says Cary Sifferath, senior director of global programs for USGC.

What’s Next?

Going forward, America can’t cede U.S. trade policy to foreign governments, Ross says. “The NCGA is working with our industry partners to push a unified message through the appropriate diplomatic channels and educate members of Congress about this key issue.”

Agriculture and agribusiness leaders, including Syngenta, are working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the USDA and industry partners to challenge Obrador’s decree. Thatcher says there are, unfortunately, unique complications since no one has yet been nominated, let alone approved, to serve as the USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. She goes on to say no one is currently serving as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for USTR. “The World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body has essentially been nonexistent since the fall of 2020,” Thatcher adds. “We must resolve the Mexican trade dispute. Ensuring that major export markets are willing to buy U.S. grain let’s us continue developing new technologies that benefit farmers.”

Sifferath is cautiously optimistic that the situation will resolve itself in a way favorable to U.S. growers. “Through the years, I’ve heard many world leaders say their countries are going to become self-sufficient,” he says. “I’ve yet to see anyone do this successfully.”

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Cover image: Kevin Ross, a National Corn Growers Association leader and Iowa corn farmer, strongly supports unfettered access to the Mexican corn market. Photography by the Iowa Corn Growers Association. 

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Q: Please define the primary factors that affect soil health.

A: Wayne Fredericks, farmer in Osage, Iowa: In row crop farming in my area of northern Iowa, the intensity of tillage, presence of soil cover and year-round living roots, use of multiple plant species, and, if available, the integration of livestock all affect soil health.

A: Doug Wolf, environmental safety technical expert, Syngenta: Soil health integrates physical, chemical and biological factors that impact productivity, environmental quality and profit potential. It’s assessed through multiple, interconnected indicators. I consider soil organic matter (SOM) to be the most significant soil health indicator because it plays a primary role in numerous soil functions such as soil structure, water use, nutrient cycling and availability, agrichemical fate and transport, and biological activity and biodiversity. SOM is sensitive to land use and agronomic management practices such as tillage, cover crops and crop rotation.

Q: How does tillage affect soil health and what are the benefits of reducing tillage?

Doug Wolf, environmental safety technical expert, Syngenta
Doug Wolf, environmental safety technical expert, Syngenta

A: Fredericks: Tillage reduces soil carbon, which was verified in the recently released results of a 12-year study conducted at Iowa State University. On my farm, after discontinuing full-width tillage over 20 years ago, I have seen an increase in SOM at a rate of 0.1% per year.

A: Wolf: Conventional tillage generally has a detrimental impact on soil health, especially compared to reduced tillage because it causes SOM to decompose more rapidly and disrupts the soil structure of the soil root zone. Continual conventional tillage tends to accelerate soil erosion, which has an adverse impact on soil health. Reduced tillage has been associated with increased aggregate stability, SOM, water-holding capacity, soil microbial and fungal abundance and biodiversity, reduced runoff and soil erosion, as well as economic benefits such as reduced fuel and labor costs.

Q: How can a farmer measure the impact soil health has on yield and profit potential?

A: Fredericks: I shared 18 years of digital yield and weather data with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Ames, Iowa. This team of researchers did a deep-dive analysis of my farm’s information, and they were able to document reduced yield variability and improved water-use efficiency within the fields, which translates to overall improvements in yields and profitability.

A: Wolf: Syngenta is assessing the impact of soil health on yield and profit potential through projects like Bin Buster led by the Digital Agriculture Solutions Team. The Bin Buster project assesses on-farm agronomic productivity and profitability on two commercial farms in Illinois growing corn under selected treatments. I am part of a team collaborating within the Bin Buster project to evaluate soil health and sustainability parameters on both farms using Cornell’s Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health analysis, which examines physical, chemical and biological soil health indicators. We will relate these indices to SOM, farm productivity and profitability. Tools such as the Predictive/Retrospective Soil Health Economic Calculator use soil health indices to conduct a partial budget analysis and an economic cost/benefit analysis associated with adopting soil health practices.

Q: What are some strategies to increase organic matter in soil, and why is that important?

Wayne Fredericks, farmer in Osage, Iowa
Wayne Fredericks, farmer in Osage, Iowa

A: Fredericks: First, farmers should look to eliminate tillage. I went to no-till soybeans and strip-till corn. You can also add cover crops to the rotation and look to plant into green cover crops, thus extending the time for them to accumulate biomass. This is important because SOM is the key to healthy, resilient soil.

A: Wolf: Strategies to increase SOM typically center on residue management systems coupled with stover and compost/manure management to yield a net accumulation of SOM. SOM, which is typically less than 5% by mass of agricultural soil, increases soil fertility as it acts as a reservoir for macronutrients and trace elements that release during microbial degradation, improving soil structure and aggregation, increasing available water-holding capacity, and enhancing soil biological diversity and abundance.

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I consider soil organic matter to be the most significant soil health indicator because it plays a primary role in numerous soil functions such as soil structure, water use, nutrient cycling and availability, agrichemical fate and transport, and biological activity and biodiversity.

Doug Wolf Environmental Safety Technical Expert at Syngenta

Q: How does soil health affect available water for cropping systems?

A: Fredericks: Looking back at the 18-year study by USDA ARS of my farm’s data, the biggest revolution was an improvement in water-use efficiency. Because my soil health was improving, I was raising more bushels per inch of water as the years progressed. This improvement far exceeded the change in normal trend-line yields, and the key was focusing on organic matter.

A: Wolf: Soil aggregate stability is a critical indicator of soil health. Soil aggregate stability is largely dependent on SOM and biological activity and typically increases as they increase. Stable soil aggregates increase plant-available water by increasing the amount of pore space, water infiltration and the soil’s water-holding capacity, contributing to decreased runoff and erosion. Stable soil aggregates and the associated pore space also promote crop root growth and penetration within the soil root zone.

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Photography by Tim Pearson and Bert Vanderveen.