When a company is committed to an idea, it does everything it can to make that idea succeed. Garst Seed Company believes in a viable renewable fuels industry in the United States. That’s why the company is driving support for biofuels by giving the keys and free one-year leases for new Chevy 1500 Flex Fuel pickup trucks to 11 growers who were grand prizewinners in its Blue + Yellow = Green (BYG) sweepstakes.

The BYG initiative highlights Garst’s continued efforts to support growers and the biofuels industry. In addition to the 11 grand prizes, Garst awarded 110 first-place prizes of $100 ethanol certificates.

Growers had the opportunity to register for the prizes by contacting a Garst sales representative or by attending a Garst field day or other company event in 2006.

Grand Prizewinners

Ten of the 11 grand prizewinners of the one-year truck leases from Garst are growers from across the United States. The eleventh is a Garst dealer and producer from Indiana. The winners include:

• Clint Ashbaugh of Dunlap, Ill.

• Bob Brock of Monument, Kan.

• Mark Brookhouser of Brunswick, Neb.

• Dave Felt of Adel, Iowa

• Melvin Frei of Lott, Texas

• Steve Kane of Summit, S.D.

• Todd Manke of Bangor, Wis.

• Ken McDonald Sr. of Chesapeake City, Md.

• Dale Quiring of Lohrville, Iowa

• Brian Waier of McLeansboro, Ill.

• Ed White of Kewanna, Ind.

“Congratulations to all the growers who won the BYG sweepstakes. This has been an exciting program for our employees and our customers to kickoff Garst’s stepped-up commitment to the biofuels industry,” says David Witherspoon, head of Garst. “This initiative is part of our continuous efforts to provide seed and traits that help our customers be more productive and meet the increasing demand for corn that’s being driven by renewable fuels.”

In 2005, the ethanol industry used an estimated 1.6 billion bushels of corn, which represented approximately 13 percent of total corn demand. Industry analysts expect 25 percent of total corn use in 2007 will go toward ethanol production.

To help producers meet the growing demand of corn for ethanol, Garst offers 18 ExtraEdge™ hybrids that exhibit grain characteristics suitable for dry grind ethanol production. These hybrids have been tested and characterized using a methodology established by the University of Illinois. Garst hybrids earn the ExtraEdge designation when they consistently yield higher levels of ethanol production compared to other corn hybrids.

Garst’s parent company Syngenta is conducting research and developing additional products that will benefit the renewable fuels market. One example is a proprietary corn amylase output trait that expresses higher levels of the enzyme amylase, which can increase the efficiency of ethanol production. Syngenta intends to launch the corn amylase trait by 2008, pending the achievement of a number of technical, commercial and regulatory milestones.

“The potential economic impact renewable fuels offers agriculture is tremendous,” adds Witherspoon. “When you consider the environmental benefits and the reduced dependence on foreign oil, renewable fuels is an exciting industry for our country and our customers. Garst is dedicated to bringing growers technology that will help increase the efficiency of biofuel production, while maximizing the productivity and value they realize from their acres.”

For more information about Garst corn hybrids, including the ExtraEdge hybrids for ethanol production, and other high-performing Garst products, growers should contact their local Garst ProSeller or call toll-free 1-888-GO-GARST (464-2778).

Garst Seed Company, with headquarters in Slater, Iowa, provides innovative seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products. For more information about Garst products, contact your local Garst ProSeller or visit Garst’s Web site at www.garstseed.com.

Garst Seed Company is affiliated with Syngenta, a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2006 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs around 19,500 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. 

ExtraEdge™ is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.