Syngenta, Dow AgroSciences offer reduced structured refuge

Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences announced a joint agreement to offer two reduced refuge trait stacks to independent seed companies through Syngenta-owned GreenLeaf Genetics LLC.

This agreement will make high-performing trait stacks, beginning with the Agrisure Viptera™ 3220 and Agrisure 3122 trait stacks, more widely available to U.S. and Canadian corn growers. Inbreds for hybrid combinations will be offered for sale immediately for production this winter.

"With this opportunity, we further demonstrate our dedication to independent seed companies and commitment to providing them advances in trait technologies," said David Morgan, president of Syngenta Seeds, Inc. "Growers will enjoy greater productivity through reduced refuge and the convenience of purchasing this technology through their local independent seed supplier."

Under the terms of the agreement, Syngenta's Agrisure traits and Dow AgroSciences' Herculex traits will be outlicensed for trait stack combinations through GreenLeaf Genetics, which will serve as the primary contact for independent seed companies. Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences will also continue to outlicense their respective traits independent of each other.

"This will be an effective combination of technologies that will give U.S. corn growers more genetic combinations and options to control yield-robbing pests while reducing the required number of refuge acres," said Ben Kaehler, Dow AgroSciences commercial leader for U.S. seed affiliates.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.