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| Illinois Corn Growers laud Japan’s Agrisure approval |
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| By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA) lauded the announcement that Syngenta’s Agrisure RW corn rootworm/insect control seed received full regulatory approval in Japan, as well as in the United States and Canada.
“Japan is our largest export customer for corn, so this is good news for growers,” said Steve Ruh, ICGA president and a corn grower from Sugar Grove.
“Demand for corn is growing so we need to have more choices for traits and have access to the best available tools that technology can provide.”
In a news release following Syngenta’s announcement, ICGA stated they support responsible introduction of genetic traits through biotechnology.
“Growers who planted Agrisure this year are advised to follow the stewardship plan they signed when they planted this trait because there are other markets like Mexico which have not approved Agrisure (RW),” Ruh said, referring to Syngenta’s comprehensive plan to ensure grain with the Agrisure RW trait remained in domestic markets only. “This is the same advice Syngenta is giving growers.”
With the announcement, Agrisure RW grain can now be accepted by elevators who export grain to Japan. However, Syngenta’s stewardship plan will remain in effect until 2008, when the brand will become part of the seed industry’s Market Choices grain direction program.
“Biotech seed trait development is gaining momentum, which is exciting,” Ruh added. “As these traits come faster, yields are going to grow. This means we need to retain and expand our export customer base to maintain strong corn prices. ICGA will continue to work with growers and industry toward that goal.”
Syngenta touts Agrisure RW as a new corn trait that provides exceptional control of rootworm while delivering full yield potential.
The trait was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October 2006. Syngenta officials said the trait allows producers to realize up to a 32-bushel-per-acre yield advantage over untreated rootworm-infested fields with no yield drag when compared to the hybrid isoline.
“Syngenta maintains the yield performance of the hybrid by integrating trait genes such as Agrisure RW directly into elite lines,” said Steve Knodle, marketing manager for Agrisure traits.
“The result is a rapid, efficient transfer of just the desired DNA into new hybrids. For Agrisure RW, this means outstanding control of rootworms without compromising the performance of the corn hybrid.
“Agrisure RW has met our high standards through rigorous testing conducted throughout the Corn Belt, including fields with very high levels of rootworm pessure.”
Agrisure RW has also received import approval in Australia and New Zealand. Regulatory approval for “quad stack” - Agrisure GT/CB/LL/RW - could come in time for the 2008 planting season, according to Syngenta.
This farm news was published in the Sept. 5, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 9/5/2007 |
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