Hear from Dave Treinen, industry veteran and leader of GreenLeaf Genetics, as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary of licensing corn traits and germplasm, supporting independent seed companies with innovative solutions and lasting partnerships.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of GreenLeaf Genetics®, a pivotal player in licensing corn traits and corn and soybean germplasm. Headed by industry veteran Dave Treinen, the company is celebrating its legacy of fostering innovation and supporting independent seed companies across North America.
With a rich career spanning crop protection and seed businesses, Treinen brings an insider perspective to GreenLeaf™’s journey.
“I’ve been fortunate to witness the evolution of the ag industry,” he says. “From launching Roundup Ready crops to working with cutting-edge germplasm and trait technologies, my passion has always been enabling independent seed companies to thrive.”
A Legacy of Adaptation and Growth
Founded in December 2004 and expanded as a joint venture between Syngenta and DuPont Pioneer two years later, GreenLeaf entered the market during a period of rapid consolidation.
“Independent seed companies were searching for options. They were looking for alternative genetics and differentiated technology,” explains Treinen. “We launched GreenLeaf with 50 companies as customers in our first year, and remarkably, 75% of them are still customers today.”
Now a wholly owned subsidiary of Syngenta since 2010, GreenLeaf licenses corn and soybean germplasm and corn trait technologies to over 100 companies across the United States and Canada. Independent seed companies represent a significant market share in the industry, with an estimated 25% of U.S. corn and 35% of the U.S. soybean market.
“To me, this speaks to the resilience of independent seed companies and their ability to adapt and thrive,” says Treinen. “Focusing on their customer needs and the knowledge they bring with product selection and placement have enabled them to grow.”
That same spirit of partnership and reliability is what Treinen believes sets GreenLeaf apart, particularly its commitment to building trust.
“Our team’s credibility and dedication allow us to have meaningful conversations with our partners,” he says. “That trust, coupled with our products’ competitive performance, is what keeps us at the table 20 years later.”
Navigating a Changing Landscape
Over the past 20 years, the seed industry has undergone remarkable transformation, driven by advancements in technology, evolving agricultural practices and a growing emphasis on sustainability. With that, farmers and independent seed companies have embraced new genetic traits and technologies to meet the challenges of increasing yields, improving resilience and reducing environmental impacts. At the same time, the regulatory landscape has become more complex.
GreenLeaf has navigated industry changes by introducing innovations such as Syngenta’s DuracadeViptera™ — a trait stack that offers comprehensive pest control, targeting both above-ground threats and below-ground pests like corn rootworm.
“Farmers’ needs are changing, so we’ve got to be in tune with what they’re looking for. We direct that back into our research and development to ensure we’re bringing products that meet current and future needs,” Treinen says.
Looking ahead, Treinen anticipates continuous adaptability and growth for GreenLeaf.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since GreenLeaf was founded, but when I look at the progress we’ve made and the partnerships we’ve built, I’m proud of how far we’ve come,” Treinen says. “Many of the independent seed companies we work with are family-owned and multigenerational and we’re grateful for the privilege to support them in their growth and success.”
“That’s always been our goal, and as we look toward the next 20 years, it will remain our focus.”
Content supplied by GreenLeaf Genetics.
