Syngenta continues to grow Canadian cereal seeds business

Jay Bradshaw, President of Syngenta Canada is pleased to announce that Carol Baillargeon has joined Syngenta Canada in the newly-created position of Cereal Seeds Production Manager.

Baillargeon will have responsibility for coordinating the production and distribution of new cereal seed varieties from Syngenta from the field to the retailer. Her role includes working with seed growers to ensure the production of high-quality seed from foundation to certified levels, as well as managing the logistics of transporting seed to distributors and retailers.

"With the growth in our cereal seed portfolio there was a clear need for a dedicated production coordinator to manage the production and distribution of our Canadian cereal seed,” says Bradshaw. “At Syngenta we continue to invest in our cereal seeds business to help meet the growing world demand for wheat. Carol’s appointment will help us ensure that we have the right varieties at the right place at the right time to meet the needs of Canadian cereal producers.”

"I was attracted to Syngenta because of the company’s strong commitment to cereal production in Canada,” says Baillargeon. “Wheat is a major world food source, but not always perceived as a major cash crop here in Canada. I see there being tremendous potential to develop this market in a way that will improve the economics of wheat production at the farm level. This includes new varieties that suit Canadian growing conditions and new production techniques, seed care treatments and crop protection products that help mitigate disease. I believe that Syngenta is well placed to achieve these goals and I want to be a part of that success story.”

Syngenta is a global leader in cereal seed development, responsible for advancing research in genetics and traits and bringing commercially-accepted seeds to market. In Canada this can be seen through the introduction last year of WR859 CL, a new wheat variety from Syngenta developed specifically for the Canadian market. Next year will see the launch of the newly-registered SY985, and a host of other varieties and hybrids are expected to follow in coming years.

Baillargeon’s appointment will also help integrate the Syngenta seeds, seed care and crop protection businesses. With several years of agronomy experience and product support gained at Cargill, a Masters Degree in Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan, and herself a cereal producer from a farm near Edam, SK, Baillargeon brings to the position an appreciation of the roles of seeds, seed care and crop protection in the overall production process. “My agronomy expertise will add an important dimension to the role, that I hope growers will recognize as a significant value-added service from Syngenta,” says Baillargeon.