Syngenta Announces Corn Rootworm Website

Greensboro, NC (March 20, 2002) Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., announces the creation of a website specifically addressing corn rootworm concerns in the Corn Belt.

The site, www.rootwormalert.com, warns growers of two specific ways in which corn rootworms have evolved to overcome the traditional corn-soybean rotation means of combating rootworm damage.

Extended diapause, in which northern corn rootworms (NCR) in parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota have extended their lifecycle to two years, re-emerging when the land is rotated back to corn.
A new variant of the western corn rootworm (WCR) in parts of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan that has adapted to lay its eggs in soybean fields so that when larvae emerge a year later, the field will be in corn.

The site also includes management tips, including the use of Force® soil insecticide, which is labeled for corn rootworm and consistently shines in university field trials. The site notes that as an alternative, seed can be treated with an insecticide such as Force ST on NK brand seed.

The information and management tips were collected from extension entomologists throughout the Corn Belt. In addition, Syngenta organized a series of conference calls in which growers were able to speak directly with company experts and university entomologists.

Growers registered for the conference calls on the website, explains Tom Christensen, Agri-Technology Manager for Syngenta.

“We’ve created this website for farmers and dealers to keep them aware of and prepared for the changes in corn rootworm behavior, and to help them assess the likelihood of seeing the problem in their area,” says Christensen.

Rootwormalert.com includes maps of the specific counties affected, as well as links to university entomologists and images of corn damaged by corn rootworms. Aerial imagery of problem areas is also displayed, says Christensen.

“We are using precision agriculture techniques to document the problem and to demonstrate the value of using a protective product such as Force,” explains Christensen, adding that other websites will be created as issues arise.

In addition to www.rootwormalert.com, Syngenta also hosts two other specific websites www.spudsolutions.com and www.callistoherbicide.com, reports Alex Moore, Internet Marketing Manager for Syngenta.

Syngenta’s home page is www.syngentacropprotection.com, and its registered user site is www.farmassist.com. At syngentacropprotection.com, visitors can access a variety of resources, including product and company information, labels and MSDSs, a sales representative locator and more.

FarmAssist.com provides access to a broad range of agricultural resources and crop production information. This innovative tool allows growers to quickly obtain facts and figures about agricultural issues that directly impact the success of their business, such as frequently updated market news, cash grain bids, commodity price information, pest alerts, agronomic information, Syngenta product updates and more.

Growers can also download or order the FarmAssist® 6.0 crop management software program at FarmAssist.com. The new free software helps farmers track the cost of chemical and fertilizer applications, weather observations, irrigation use, disease information, leaf and soil analysis, and yield projections. FarmAssist 6.0, which also can be ordered at 1-800-968-8614, allows growers to track virtually every aspect of their farming operation.

Beyond Force, Syngenta offers corn growers the following additional crop solutions that aid in the achievement of maximum quality and yields.

Corn Solutions

Apron XL® fungicide

Bravo® 500 fungicide

Bravo Ultrex® fungicide

Bravo Weatherstik® fungicide

Quadris® fungicide

Tilt® fungicide

Ambush® insecticide

Beacon® insecticide

Tough® 5EC insecticide

Warrior with ZEON™ Technology insecticide

Aatrex 4L® herbicide

Bicep II Magnum® herbicide

Callisto™ herbicide

Cyclone® Max herbicide

Dual II Magnum® herbicide

Evik® DF herbicide

Exceed® herbicide

Gramoxone® Max herbicide

North Star™ herbicide

Princep® 4L herbicide

Spirit™ herbicide

Touchdown® herbicide

Maxim® XL seed treatment

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection, and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 2000 were approximately US $6.9 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and in London, New York and Stockholm.