Syngenta announced the release of 32 new NK corn hybrids for the 2019 growing season, further revitalizing the brand’s corn product lineup to support farmers.
Developed from one of the industry’s largest and most diverse germplasm pools, the hybrids continue a near-decade of genetic gain for NK corn that has outpaced key competitors. In pre-launch trials, the 2019 new hybrids outyielded Pioneer and DeKalb brand hybrids by an average of 5.4 bushels per acre (bu/A) and 4.4 bu/A, respectively.1
“The 2019 NK corn lineup is easily our best yet, with consistently high yields that will go a long way toward helping farmers maximize their potential return on investment,” says Joe Bollman, NK corn product manager. “Innovative new hybrids like NK0821 Artesian aren’t just winners in select geographies, they’re outperforming key competitors on a national level.”
Broadly adapted genetics are critical to the new hybrids’ performance. So is the ability of NK to leverage the vast research and development capabilities of Syngenta.
Every year, breeders produce and test more than 1 million corn genotypes, using their award-winning system of data analytics to pinpoint the characteristics most likely to help maximize yields. They do all this with a farmer-driven focus, centering their efforts on specific opportunities.
For example, as Goss’s Wilt became a growing threat on farms, NK breeders, scientists and agronomists conducted extensive lab- and field-based disease screenings to identify products with the highest Goss’s Wilt ratings. As a result, NK corn now boasts some of the strongest Goss’s Wilt ratings in the industry, outperforming key competitors for three consecutive years.2
“Superior product performance starts with having one of the deepest and most diverse germplasm pools in the industry,” says Chad Geater, senior project lead with Syngenta. “Depth of germplasm only takes you so far, though. It’s what we’ve been able to do with those genetics because of our drive to keep innovating that’s pushing our corn hybrids’ potential forward.”
Maximizing ROI
NK is committed to delivering a better seeds experience, offering a range of additional benefits to ensure farmers get the most value out of their genetics while minimizing risk.
All of the new hybrids are available with industry-leading Agrisure traits. Trait stacks such as Agrisure Duracade 5222A E-Z Refuge, the ultimate trait stack for premium above- and below-ground insect control, choice, simplicity and water optimization, protect NK corn’s genetic potential from the start.
All NK hybrids have been extensively tested against key competitive products for years. To ensure strong performance continues, NK increased internal trialing by almost a third over the past year, securing more data in niche environments. Plus, by being sold through retail, all NK corn is tested in local plots, one more test before ever being sold to farmers.
“Thorough testing allows us to know our products through and through, enabling us to tell farmers exactly which hybrids will work in which of their fields,” Bollman says. “That way, they can feel confident planting NK without first having to test it on their farms.”
NK retailers in select locations also will offer an expanded Enogen corn lineup, with seven new hybrids for 2019 that feature an in-seed innovation that benefits growers marketing grain to ethanol plants and those producing grain or silage for livestock feed. In the ethanol market, Enogen grain enhances the ethanol production process by improving efficiency, while the same technology helps increase the value of corn as feed for dairy or beef cattle due to improved digestibility.
“With market conditions being what they are, our goal with NK corn is to help farmers maximize their ROI potential through focused innovations that add real value,” Bollman says. “NK may not make sense to plant in every field, but for the performance and opportunities it provides, we do think it deserves to be on every farm.”
