Syngenta Thrive - 3Q/2013 - 21

technology produced 16.8 percent
temperatures and various pH levels. When
higher yields compared to the plot
heated, the gene causes the corn to produce
average. In cases of extreme drought
alpha amylase, an enzyme that is typically
conditions, the hybrids produced
added in liquid form at the outset of the
48.4 percent higher yields compared
ethanol production process. The difference
to the plot average.
between the enzyme delivered by Enogen
reduction of adult corn
The 2013 season marks the ofﬁcial
corn and many liquid enzymes is that it turns
rootworm beetle emergence
commercial launch of hybrids with
the consistency of the slurry “from oatmeal to
in Agrisure Duracade corn,
Agrisure Artesian technology,
lemonade,” says Sarah Greener, Enogen
according to a USDA study
accounting for 500,000 acres of corn
marketing specialist at Syngenta. This
across 25 states. Because it is widely
breakthrough not only eliminates the cost of
adapted across yield environadding liquid enzymes during ethanol producments, Agrisure Artesian is
tion, but drives dramatic improvements in
engineered into hybrids suitable for varying geographies—
process efﬁciency, ethanol yield, throughput and proﬁtability
extending far beyond the Corn Belt and areas most commonly
while saving energy and water.
associated with irrigated corn production.
Growers under contract in the immediate vicinity of the ethanol
Wayne Fithian, Syngenta product lead for technical traits, was
plant sell their Enogen grain directly to the plant for a premium
integral in its development. “I felt strongly that all farmers would
price (40 cents per bushel on average). Syngenta helps facilitate
beneﬁt from improved yield under drought—not just the limitedthis contract to make sure proper stewardship and commercial
irrigation and dry-land acres,” he says.
agreements are honored.
And what if there isn’t a drought? It’s a question that Martin
“I call it a win-win-win,” Bernens says of the Enogen corn
has heard many times, and his answer is always the same: Agrisure
production contract, which helps put dollars usually spent on liquid
Artesian technology is only engineered in the best corn hybrids,
enzymes in the farmer’s pocket. “It’s a win for the grower, a win for
and it doesn’t take a drought to realize the beneﬁts. “It goes back
the ethanol plant and a win for the local community.”
to the fact that our commitment is to water optimization—not just
In 2013, Enogen corn will account for more than 65,000 acres.
drought tolerance,” he says. “Agrisure Artesian technology chips
With 40 percent of the nation’s corn slated for ethanol production,
away at environmental factors like moisture stress, helping growers
the growth potential for Enogen technology is almost limitless.
gain control of inconsistent crop production.”
“When we look at the renewable fuels space, corn is a very
important player,” says David Witherspoon, head of Enogen at
Syngenta. “And with Enogen, we’re in a category all our own.”
Ushering in a New Frontier
Reﬂecting on the company’s rich history of bringing innovative
Jack Bernens, Enogen marketing and stakeholder relations
technologies to market, Bernens points to the current seeds
manager at Syngenta, is more than familiar with bringing input traits
portfolio as evidence that Syngenta is still at the forefront of
to market. It was Bernens who launched the Agrisure traits product
developing game-changing traits. “We are the only company that
line, introducing growers to the Agrisure GT, Agrisure RW and
has the full complement of input traits, while introducing such an
Agrisure CB/LL traits, which feature best-in-class herbicide
impactful output trait,” he says.
tolerance and pest control. In recent years, however, Bernens has
had a different focus—launching the ﬁrst biotech corn output trait
designed to enhance the efﬁciency of dry-grind ethanol production.
Hybrids with the innovative Enogen trait contain a gene
FOR MORE INFORMATION on the complete lineup of
derived from deep-sea microorganisms that thrive in high
Syngenta seeds and traits, go to www.syngentaseeds.com.

99.79

A ﬁeld of healthy soybeans
near Clinton, Wis.

Syngenta and Bayer CropScience have submitted an
application for approval to various regulatory authorities,
and Miller anticipates that MGI herbicide-tolerant soybeans
will be available to growers during the latter part of this
decade. “We believe this trait will give growers greater
ﬂexibility in determining the best, most sustainable
herbicide program for their ﬁelds,” he says.

3Q/13 · thrive · 19

Syngenta Thrive - 3Q/2013

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