Syngenta Thrive

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While consumers may choose organic foods based on health concerns, scientists beg to differ.

A comprehensive study by the Center for Health Policy at Stanford University, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that organic foods are not significantly healthier than those produced conventionally.

Researchers studied existing data from 17 studies involving humans and 223 studies of nutrient and contaminant levels in food. They found no strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional foods. Vitamin content was the same. The only nutrient difference was a higher phosphorus content in organic foods. However, researchers noted this nutrient is of little clinical value, as few people have phosphorus deficiencies.

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For great retailers, knowing what farmers are looking for is only half the equation. Knowing what seeds and products are best suited to each farmers’ fields and methods is the second half. That’s where a good sales representative fits in. Good partnerships between retailers and sales representatives align the right materials with the right fields, and farmers reap the benefits of that collaboration.

Seth Sheehan has been with T&S Crop Service, Inc., (T&S) for his entire career. T&S, founded by his father in 1996, is an independent ag retailer that provides exceptional service and support to farmers in Wyoming County, New York. Sheehan joined the business after graduating from college when he was 23 years old. Now manager of T&S, Sheehan focuses on expanding the relationships his father built and cultivating new contacts who bring even more value to farmers.

T&S and NK® Seeds have been partners since Sheehan’s father ran the business, and Katie Edmunds, an NK Seeds sales representative, strives to continue this strong partnership with Sheehan and T&S.

Building Trust

“Building a trusting relationship requires time,” Edmunds says. “When I met Seth, we didn’t know anything about each other. We needed to get to know each other and then take time to understand each other’s business and goals.”

Sheehan and Edmunds quickly saw they had similar mindsets and a common goal: grow the T&S business and of bringing value to farmers.

“Katie does a great job bringing outside business to T&S that we haven’t necessarily worked with in the past,” Sheehan explains. “One of the biggest reasons I enjoy working with her is because she is excited, and I know she wants to do a good job and grow the brand.”

As for Sheehan, Edmunds says, “He has a lot of strong, long-standing relationships, and people trust his expertise. Plus, T&S offers exceptional service to their farmers, so farmers remain very loyal.”

“It’s really fun and exciting to work with a retail location that has goals similar to mine,” Edmunds adds. “T&S is excited to grow their business, and it’s great partnering with people who are passionate and driven to improve.”

Focusing on Dairy Production

Because T&S is located in western New York, a key area for dairy production, Sheehan and Edmunds largely focus on helping make dairy producers more efficient and profitable. Edmunds visits dairy farms, explaining the value of products like Enogen® corn for feed.

“Enogen is the reason I came to work for Syngenta because I was so excited about what it was doing for dairy cows,” Edmunds says. “Enogen is a huge focus for T&S and me because it brings farms a product that no one else offers.”

Sheehan agrees, explaining that attention to silage allows T&S to fill a growing gap in the market. He works with Edmunds assisting dairy producers already interested in Enogen and educating others about its on-farm benefits.

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I love that once I’ve built relationships and understand farmers’ businesses, I can help them achieve their goals.

Katie Edmunds Sales Representative at NK Seeds

Enogen corn for feed offers the potential for feed efficiency gains of around 5%1 for dairy producers, which is significant because it helps maximize profit potential by reducing feed costs.

In addition to educating and supplying dairy producers with Enogen corn for feed, Edmunds and Sheehan also regularly discuss helping farmers make the right seed choice. Sheehan knows what his farmers are looking for, and that allows Edmunds to recommend hybrids and varieties with the best-suited trait packages and herbicide technologies for their farms.

Because of T&S’ partnership with NK Seeds, Sheehan’s farmers can look forward to planting high-yielding hybrids with cutting-edge traits, as well as industry-leading soybean varieties across the XtendFlex® soybean and Enlist E3® soybean platforms, in 2022.

Working Hard

T&S has experienced explosive growth over the last two years, and Edmunds is proud to think that outside business she’s helped bring in has contributed to that. Sheehan and Edmunds are both excited to watch growth at T&S continue to unfold. In the meantime, they enjoy the industry that lets them put relationships at the center of everything they do.

“I love working in agriculture because it gives me freedom,” Sheehan says. “Every day is different, and you get to work with so many great people.”

“Helping people be more successful in what they do is a driving factor in why I love what I do,” Edmunds adds. “I love that once I’ve built relationships and understand farmers’ businesses, I can help them achieve their goals.”

1University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Studies, 2013–2017 Kansas State University Research Study, 2017; Pennsylvania State University, 2019.

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Cover image: NK Seeds sales representative Katie Edmunds (right) has helped Seth Sheehan (left) of T&S Crop Service, Inc., in Warsaw, New York, grow his ag retail business. Photography by Luke Copping. 

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When the dog days of summer bear down, growers often pause to evaluate their seed and crop protection decisions. They also begin adjusting their marketing plans as crop reports and weather alter bushel potential.

Of course, knowing the big picture is necessary, but truly forward-thinking growers pay acute attention to the details in every field, optimizing agronomics to produce more bushels. They rely on trusted advisers who challenge their thinking and expand their farm strategy.

A focus on profit is driving agronomic decisions in 2021. According to Mark Callender, farm manager at Farmers National Company in Dighton, Kansas, optimistic growers have shifted from saving to spending to drive profits higher on good land.

Callender encourages deep dives into the cost of inputs every year, an especially important step for growers beginning their 2022 plans. “We do an annual investment analysis on all of our farms to see both cost per acre and cost per bushel,” he says. “By comparing production numbers with seed, fertilizer, weed control and other input costs factored in, our operators learn the return on investment for quality products versus generics, for example.”

Callender says farmers do a good job knowing their break-even costs, and the site-specific data available today provides them better insight into their individual fields. “Top producers will spend more money if they can achieve better weed control to drive top yields. By examining such costs on a per-bushel basis, they can justify higher costs per acre when an agronomic practice delivers more bushels.”

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We do an annual investment analysis on all of our farms to see both cost per acre and cost per bushel. By comparing production numbers with seed, fertilizer, weed control and other input costs factored in, our operators learn the return on investment for quality products versus generics, for example.

Mark Callender Farm Manager at Farmers National Company, Dighton, KS

Preparing for 2022

Ag economists are anticipating that net farm income for 2021 and 2022 could offer the strongest earning potential since 2012.

In April, when Corn Belt acres were planted, the futures price for May corn broke the $6 mark. “U.S. stocks-to-use ratios at that time were so low for corn (9.2%) and soybeans (2.6%) that it will take time to rebuild corn to the 15% to 17% range and soybeans to the 10% to 12% range,” says Lynn Sandlin, ag economist and business intelligence lead for Syngenta. “Combined with increasing U.S. exports and drought issues around the globe, these conditions provide a real opportunity for gains over the next few years for growers who maximize their revenue based on productivity at the bushel level per field.”

“We understand the last six or seven years of depressed prices pushed some growers to try to save their way to prosperity with cheaper inputs and generics,” says Paul Backman, commercial unit head for the West Heartland region at Syngenta. “Our Syngenta AgriEdge® whole-farm management program helps growers flip that thinking and understand how better products can deliver higher productivity on a cost-per-bushel level.”

Thinking through 2021 input decisions and measuring them against yield provides valuable data. Backman says factoring in yield loss from inputs helps growers understand actual costs and shift from a cost mindset to an investment mindset.

Many producers think about their budget per acre for the whole operation, Sandlin notes. “But there’s an opportunity, especially during more profitable times, to budget directly at the field level and maximize profit potential at the bushel level.”

Sometimes it requires better tools, sound advice, a shift in thinking, or all of the above to manage each field’s potential at the bushel level. “Whether they use spreadsheets or other tools, trusted advisers can help growers increase field productivity with an eye on profit per bushel,” Sandlin says.

Retailer Trusts Agronomics Over Bundles

Syngenta sales representative Mark Dozler uses a fungicide analogy to illustrate the input-cost- per-bushel method of thinking. “I worked with an agronomic-focused retailer in Nebraska to build an input-cost-value spreadsheet. It shows that if a grower removes a $30 fungicide application from their plan, their cost per bushel increases. That’s because removing that fungicide reduces yield, using a conservative estimate, by 10 bushels per acre,” he says. “The agronomic data proving that was really eye-opening to growers.”

Given the many different herbicide programs, defining more yield for weed control really challenges everyday thinking. It requires digging into details beyond a $40 to $50 per acre herbicide budget.

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Field-by-Field Profit Plans

Today, more growers are tracking the productivity and profitability of their crop plan by field with the AgriEdge tool.

“Retailers play vital roles across all farm input decisions,” Backman says. “To complement this integration, our sales reps and AgriEdge specialists help growers see the small gains in each field that add up to more bushels. A good management plan evolves as more agronomic and economic data help drive greater field-by-field profits.”

Technical advancements in corn and soybean genetics and traits also play a critical role in overall productivity per field and cost per bushel. “Many retailers take pride in knowing research and agronomic details so they can recommend the best hybrid for each field,” says Brent Rockers, a Syngenta district manager for parts of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

By walking fields, sales reps and retailers gain more data to help customers manage more bushels from hybrids. “We rely heavily on our research to provide growers with seeding rates, fertility and plant health advice that improve their ability to strategize and budget,” Rockers says. “Our Cropwise™ Seed Selector tool provides growers with an initial list of hybrids that match their soil classifications by field. Not only can advisers sit down with growers to fine-tune the selections and agronomics, but those advisers can also follow the crop through harvest and use the data to build better profitability for the future.”

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Marketing, understanding production costs and making strategic input decisions are key to maximizing profit potential, says Lynn Sandlin. The ag economist and business intelligence lead for Syngenta offers these tips for planning for productivity:

  • Take advantage of two massive opportunities.
    1. Do a really good job of marketing your crop and refocus your yield potential planning on cost-per-bushel productivity.
    2. Spend 10 cents more per bushel on something that’ll produce 25 cents more per bushel.
  • Clearly identify the factors under your control in each field that will enable the best yield. Look at the cost basis per bushel to prove you’ve made a good decision.
  • Avoid substandard weed control products that initially reduce cost per bushel but actually raise your costs because they cap yield. Increased weed competition and plant stress cut yield and raise the cost per bushel.
  • Think like a CEO and know your cost per bushel with every field. How much do you spend to grow that bushel? Have you reached maximum production efficiency and maximum profit potential per bushel?
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Syngenta introduces three new AgriPro® brand wheat varieties for the 2022 planting season. AgriPro makes up the largest portfolio in the wheat industry and consistently ranks in the top yield groups in every region.

AP Iliad, a soft white winter wheat, features a medium heading date with an early finish and very good end-use quality for growers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

For growers in the central Plains, AP EverRock, a hard red winter wheat, offers the best barley yellow dwarf virus tolerance in the AgriPro lineup and provides very good acid soil tolerance. AP Roadrunner, a hard red winter wheat for the western high Plains, offers excellent drought tolerance and a good leaf health package.

Visit agriprowheat.com for additional information.

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Mary Pat Sass faces the sits in a field on her farm and smiles

Mary Pat Sass

Instagram: @marypat.sass
Facebook: @marypatsass

Mary Pat Sass farms with her husband in Illinois. Sass Family Farms grows corn, soybeans and winter wheat. She shares updates on her Instagram and YouTube channels about the “why and how” behind their farm operations.

Crop rotation and seed treatments have been a big part of their Sudden Death Syndrome prevention program. In 2021, Sass will share updates on her experience using Saltro® fungicide seed treatment to protect their soybean crop using the #SaltroChallenge hashtag.

“We started planting soybeans much earlier this year than I can ever remember us doing in the past. The weather warmed up fast; the soil was right; and we felt confident in our Saltro-treated seeds’ ability to withstand early-season stressors.”

 

Levi and Jena Oschner of Double O Farms stand in a grain cart, holding out handfuls of corn and smile at the cameraJena and Levi Ochsner

Instagram: @doubleo.farms
Facebook: @doubleofarms.nebraska

Jena and Levi Ochsner operate Double O Farms near Sutton, Nebraska. They focus on corn, soybeans and Angus cattle. Jena documents the fun and the challenges of farm life through the Double O Farms blog and social media.

The Ochsners began using Acuron® corn herbicide about six years ago, and it’s become their preferred herbicide on more than 250 corn acres. Use the #FindMoreBushels hashtag to see more of their story.

“Without good control, weeds can quickly start to overtake a field and have a detrimental impact on yield and profitability. We’ve been using the trusty herbicide Acuron from @SyngentaUs on our corn acres since 2015, and we continue to have great weed control!”

 

Alex Rusch kneels between rows of corn and inspects a stalkAlex Rusch

Instagram: @lr_rusch_farms
Facebook: L&R Rusch Farms
YouTube: L&R Rusch Farms

Alex Rusch’s family farm in Illinois has been in operation for almost 100 years and currently produces corn, soybeans and wheat. He thrives on improving his processes from year to year and learning about new ways to increase his yield potential.

Rusch trialed Acuron® corn herbicide for the first time in 2020. Acuron managed some of the toughest weeds on his farm, and this year, he will apply it again and document its performance using the #FindMoreBushels hashtag.

“[I] heard Acuron has some great ingredients, like bicyclopyrone and mesotrione, that perform better in heavier soil types like what we have in our Illinois ground.”

 

Jenny Weg smiles at the cameraJenny Weg

Instagram: @mrsjennyweg
Facebook: The Faithful Farming Family

Jenny Weg and her family share their farming journey from their operation in Iowa. They grow commercial corn and soybeans and tend their Holstein cattle. The family works hard and plays hard, showing the fun and dedication of farm life.

Weg will apply Acuron® corn herbicide in 2021. She cites occasional issues with weed control in past programs and will share her experience with Acuron using the #FindMoreBushels hashtag.

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Syngenta continues its partnership with local chapters of the National FFA® Organization this year to support the young leaders of the agriculture industry. For every Grow More™ Experience (GME) site attendee who registers with a valid email address this season, Syngenta will donate $5 to that site’s local chapter or chapters.

“As a former FFA member, I’ve seen firsthand the difference support from groups like Syngenta can make,” says Marshall Dolch, Syngenta district marketing lead. “Supporting local communities doesn’t only include the growers, retailers and agronomists of today, it also includes those of tomorrow. Helping FFA members pursue their passions sets up the next generation of agriculture leaders for success.”

As a result of GME site attendance in the last two years, Syngenta has made donations of $26,600 to FFA chapters around the country. Each chapter uses the proceeds to support ongoing agricultural education and skills training for local students, laying the groundwork for their future careers.

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In 2022, farmers who plant NK will have the added benefit of accessing one of the only portfolios in the industry that pairs Enlist E3® soybeans with long-proven soybean genetics exclusive to Syngenta Seeds.

“As a result, growers and retailers are going to see a step change in stability of performance,” says Travis Kriegshauser, Syngenta soybean strategic marketing manager.

In combination with high-yielding genetics, NK® soybeans with Enlist E3 technology provide tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glufosinate and glyphosate herbicides for critical protection against tough, yield-robbing weeds for big advantages in the field.

In addition, growers will have access to exclusive Enlist E3 soybeans and XtendFlex® varieties through the new Field Forged Series™ from NK Seeds, launching for the 2022 growing season. The Field Forged Series introduces a step change in innovation for NK soybeans — with varieties that pair the latest, most desired traits in Enlist E3 and XtendFlex with proven, exclusive NK genetics.

Doug Stierwalt, a grower in Champaign County, Illinois, saw the advantages Enlist E3 soybeans bring when he planted them in 2020. “We were really happy with the yields, and the emergence and stands were really good,” he says. “There’s also a good range of maturities available.”

To help growers further maximize profit potential, NK Seeds and Syngenta launched the Cropwise™ Seed Selector in 2020. This cutting-edge tool empowers NK retailers to make highly accurate, data-driven seed recommendations specific to growers’ fields and farms. Tapping into a depth of information, the Cropwise Seed Selector helps make sure every NK customer is planting the best mix of hybrids and varieties for his or her operation.

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As the agricultural community focuses on feeding the world, we must also focus on feeding the spirit of community, feeding the spirit of creativity and feeding the spirit of innovation.

Since our inception, the values-driven approach to everything we do at Syngenta is a hallmark of our dynamic culture and approach to agribusiness. The backbone of our business and operations is centered on people and the range of needs of our communities and partners.

Our values-driven approach extends to our belief that communities that embrace and celebrate diversity and inclusion to the broadest extent create a truly equitable agricultural community. As we consider our approach to people and partners like you, we believe the diverse exchange of ideas and perspectives feeds the spirit of community for which agriculture is known. When we embrace each other fully, we feed the spirit of creativity. When we leverage difference to generate solutions, we feed the spirit of innovation. The combined power of community, creativity and innovation enables us to fully bring human potential to life.

As the agricultural community widens its embrace of equity, diversity and inclusion, we would all do well to look for ways to broaden our perspectives. Lean into conversation and different points of view with a desire to learn. Engage difference as an opportunity to grow rather than as a barrier to collaboration. Agriculture has always been a community that contains a brilliant amount of diversity. We must embrace each other to overcome the most pressing challenges facing us today. Our mission of feeding the world is a charge that involves us all, and we thank you for your partnership in helping us execute this mission daily. We look forward to engaging the future of agriculture, together.

Brandon Gregory Bell, M.Ed.
Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Syngenta North America

Cover Image: Brandon Gregory Bell, M.ED. Photography by Bert Vanderveen. 

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Embodying the intersection of mathematics, big data and agriculture, the 2021 Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics competition focused on optimizing year-round corn hybrid breeding processes.

The finalists, listed in no particular order, are:

  • Optimal Schedules for Corn Planting and Storage — Reena Kapoor and Rodolfo García-Flores affiliated with CSIRO Data61 (Australia).
  • Scheduling Planting Time Through Developing an Optimization Model and Analysis of Time Series Growing Degree Units — Javad Ansarifar, Faezeh Akhavizadegan and Lizhi Wang from Iowa State University (U.S.).
  • Optimizing Crop Planting Schedule Considering Planting Window & Harvesting Capacity — Saiara Samira Sajid and Guiping Hu from Iowa State University (U.S.).
  • A Multiobjective, Soft Constraint Solution to the 2021 Syngenta Crop Challenge — Mingshi Cui, Kunting Qi and Byran Smucker from Miami University (U.S.).

For more information about the Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics, visit  ideaconnection.com/syngenta-crop-challenge.