- NK hybrids and varieties are out-yielding competitors on farms across the U.S.
- Broadly adapted genetics and industry-leading traits drive a revitalized corn lineup
- Focused on farmers’ needs, NK hybrids and varieties are bred to deliver consistent and reliable results
MINNETONKA, Minn., USA, Nov. 29, 2018– Harvest results indicate that NK® corn and soybeans are once again delivering high yields on farms across the U.S. Backed by the extensive research and development capabilities of Syngenta, NK provides farmers additional value through unique choice, rigorous seed quality management and a competitive financing offer.
All NK hybrids and varieties are developed from one of the industry’s largest and most diverse germplasm pools. Continued innovation pushes the brand’s genetic performance forward to help maximize whole-farm return on investment (ROI) potential.
“Our hybrids and varieties went head to head against key competitors in both our own and retailers’ plots this season and came out on top, delivering strong yields across the country,” said Quinn Showalter, head of NK Sales. “We innovate with a singular focus – to help farmers thrive by maximizing their ROI potential – and these results show we’re delivering on that promise."
Innovative corn hybrids
This fall’s performance reflects a near-decade of genetic gain for the revitalized NK corn portfolio. Bred from the industry’s most diverse set of genetics and equipped with industry-leading Agrisure® traits, NK hybrids outperformed key competitors across the country.
Those released over the past two years had particularly strong showings. For example:
- In 2018 trials conducted by Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST), new NK0886-3010 brand secured 14 finishes in the top 10, including nine in the top five with yields as high as 275.2 bushels per acre (bu/A).
- Similarly, NK1354-3110 brand saw seven finishes in the top 10 and four in the top five.
“These results are no surprise to us,” said Joe Bollman, NK corn product manager. “All NK hybrids are extensively tested against key competitive products before being sold to farmers, ensuring that our products are truly going to help them maximize their ROI potential. Our 2018 performance shows that work is paying off.”
Every year, company breeders produce and test more than 1 million corn genotypes, using their award-winning system of data analytics to pinpoint the characteristics most likely to maximize yields. They do this with a farmer-driven focus, centering their efforts on identifying solutions to specific challenges such as Goss’s Wilt.
Hybrids newly available for the 2019 growing season are expected to extend the NK corn performance streak. In pre-launch trials, the 32 new hybrids outyielded Pioneer® and DeKalb® brand hybrids by an average of 5.4 bu/A and 4.4 bu/A, respectively.1
High-yielding soybeans
This fall’s results continued a trend of consistent victories for NK soybeans, which add a science-driven boost to farmers’ seed portfolios.
To provide maximum value, NK breeders tap into a state-of-the-art trait conversation capability that brings the latest, most desirable trait packages to market with the newest genetics. Because soybean seed is fragile, every step of the seed production process is geared toward maintaining NK varieties’ full yield potential, with extensive testing at every step.
In 2018, these efforts helped deliver results such as:
- In 2018 FIRST trials, S20-J5X brand secured six top 10 finishes, outyielding Asgrow® brand varieties by as much as 7.9 bu/A..
- S27-M8X brand placed in the top 10 in seven trials, besting Pioneer® brand varieties by as much as 11.4 bu/A.
This performance continues a trend of consistently strong yields for NK. In 2017, soybeans bred from Syngenta genetics – including NK – secured 58 top-three finishes in FIRST trials across the country, more than two major competitors’ results combined.2
“The high-yielding performance from soybeans this season supports the farmer-driven focus behind NK,” said Scott Erickson, NK soybean product manager. “The breadth of performance also shows that farmers in any environment can find the optimal combination of best-in-class genetics with the newest traits to have a successful, profitable season.”
For 2019, farmers have access to 13 new NK varieties.
Additionally, farmers may benefit from a 0% financing offer available for NK seed for the 2019 growing season. For details on this offer, or for more information on the new NK corn and soybean portfolios, contact a local NK retailer. Search local performance results at www.NK.com.
Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at www.syngenta-us.com/social.
1 MyYield – 2017 Syngenta internal trials in areas of product launch, Dec. 1, 2017
2 In 2017 FIRST test results, Pioneer® brand varieties secured 27 and Asgrow® 17 top three finishes, respectively.
About NK
NK offers farmers a science-driven boost to their seed portfolios. Our researchers tap into “big data” to drive innovation that helps farmers spread risk and maximize whole crop return. Plant the Seeds of ChangeSM to see the difference that innovation can make.
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on X at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.
Media Contacts:
Bev Larson
612-656-8122
bev.larson@syngenta.com
Molly Schorsch
312-648-6700
mschorsch@gscommunications.com
Web Resources:
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.
Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations.
No product recommendation by FIRST is implied.
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NK® soybean varieties are protected under granted or pending U.S. variety patents and other intellectual property rights, regardless of the trait(s) within the seed. The Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® traits may be protected under numerous United States patents. It is unlawful to save NK® soybeans, Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® or Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans for planting or transfer to others for use as a planting seed. Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend®, Genuity®, Genuity and Design and Genuity Icons are trademarks used under license from Monsanto Technology LLC.