Syngenta, Lindsay to commercialize water+ intelligent irrigation platform

Syngenta and Lindsay Corporation today announced the commercial introduction of Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform, an integrated solution designed to help corn growers realize the full potential of their irrigated acres.

Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform has been in development for several years in collaboration with corn growers, industry partners and Lindsay Corporation, and is supported by millions of data points collected through combine yield monitors across the western Corn Belt. In trials-to-date, Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform allowed growers to conveniently increase their corn yields while using less water.

Weather conditions during 2012 illustrated the relationship between water efficiency and corn yields but, according to David Elser, head of water optimization, Syngenta, water is more than just a cropping input, or a single-season concern.

"For a growing number of farmers, water efficiency is a long-term challenge affecting the ability to produce crops, land values and quality of life," Elser said. "Water efficiency is one of the biggest issues facing farmers today, and we can't afford to wait for the 'well to run dry.'

"We are helping them take action right now. Because we think like a grower and look holistically at corn production, we understand the importance of water efficiency and have spent a great deal of time rethinking water."

Trial-tested Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform components include:

* Locally adapted Syngenta corn genetics;
* Best-in-class Agrisure(R) traits and crop protection inputs delivering improved water use efficiency;
* Industry-leading Lindsay irrigation technologies, such as FieldNET(R) wireless irrigation management with Growsmart(R) soil and weather sensor capabilities.

Elser said the integration of these components enables irrigated corn producers to maximize yield potential. "Because our components work with each other, they deliver better results," he added.

"Our new irrigated corn solution is designed to take the worry out of water efficiency and allow farmers to take control of their farming operations. It's as simple as receiving a text message or email alert.

The alert shows up on your smartphone, tablet or computer and tells you exactly what action you should take on a specific pivot and when you should do it.

"So you can be at the soccer field watching your child and turning on Pivot #60. It's a lot more than a new technology - it's a life change for farmers."

"Through our deep understanding of irrigated corn production - and a team approach with Lindsay - we have created synergy between state-of-the-art water management technology and agronomic know-how. Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform has shown that irrigated corn farmers can manage water more efficiently and grow more corn with less water."


Kirk Biddle, national sales director, Irrigation at Lindsay Corporation said Water+ Intelligent Irrigation Platform offers easy-to-use technology. It features remote monitoring and control of irrigation systems, the latest in center pivot technology to apply selected crop protection inputs more precisely and with greater flexibility, and seamless integration with FieldNET by Lindsay wireless irrigation management.

"FieldNET provides an integrated water, fertilizer and chemigation solution with soil moisture and weather monitoring -- all with remote control capability," Biddle said. "It's the only tool with an app on both major smartphone and tablet platforms, which means less time in the field, less spent on valuable resources and greater control of your operation."

Chris Tingle, business portfolio manager, irrigated platforms, Syngenta, added that, "Today growers typically think about success in terms of bushels per acre. We're trying to move the conversation to revolve around 'bushels per inch of available water.'

"Using bushels per inch as a metric will help us measure our progress and grow 'more crop per drop'.

At Syngenta, one of our main priorities is to help farmers optimize water use and, with Lindsay, we are bringing together unmatched solutions to help minimize risks associated with weather variability."