b'PARTNER CONTENTSorghum Seed Soars to New HeightsAdvanta Seed and UPL develop new seed treatments to elevate the profitability and image of sorghum for U.S. growers.I n 2006, when UPL, a manufacturer of agricultural chemicals, acquired Ad-vanta Seeds, its U.S. team wanted seed research data verification and product innovation to all take place on U.S. soil. It took time and patience to develop new seed treatment chemistry that met the companys high standards for U.S. growers.Creating custom seed treatmentAdvanta had been using Syngentasblends requires attention to every detail seed treatments including Concep, a seedto ensure it can be safely blended and com-safener, on its sorghum seed. For manybined with other seed treatments, Hurst years, Syngentas Concep was the only ac- adds. This testing improves the efficiency ceptable product on the market that wouldof application and simplifies the process allow growers to make a preplant, pre- for treating sorghum seed.emerge application of Group 15 herbicides.The other part of the MESH and Vertix Post-emerge herbicide options for sor- Premier story is that UPL has set up a new ghum are limited. When growers were onglobal R&D Center in Research Triangle the fence about whether to plant sorghumPark, North Carolina. Hurst says their new or another crop, weed pressures and lim- lab is set up to conduct compatibility, sta-ited herbicide options often pushed thembility, bio-assays and greenhouse testing to go another route and avoid sorghum.its safety on the seed. It has subsequentlyas well as treating and planting charac-When Advanta developed igrowth,become a very positive product with ateristics of seed treatments. Its resources the first herbicide-resistant sorghum,high level of seed safety. Even when treat- and scientific expertise have enabled the they included a high performance treat- ed seed is stored for several months beforecompany to make great strides in several ment for the seed. UPLs seed treatmentplanting, the seed remains in exceptionalseed emergence technologies.team constructed a new, comprehensivecondition.premium seed treatment blend, Vertix Pre- We have created a new liquid formula- Elevating Sorghums Imagemier, for Advanta which includes MESH, ation of MESH that is more versatile andWhen people look at Advanta, we hope superior alternative to Concep for safen- flexible, says Andy Hurst, UPL Seed andthey will see a company that is commit-ing Group 15 herbicides. The blend alsoSoil Health Business Manager. MESHted to bringing continual innovation to contains RANCONA, which is known forsafener in sorghum is actually not a newthe sorghum industry. Our UPL alignment its premium systemic and contact controlactive. With their unique research focus,enables us to bring seed treatments to our of a broad spectrum of seed and soil borneUPL took this superior safener and devel- growers that meet the highest standards of pathogens. The blend is rounded withoped it further into a liquid formulationseed quality, Antonick says. This was in-time proven solutions of STartUP IMIDAthat can easily be used at the treater or incredibly important as we launched igrowth and METXL to complete the insecticidecustom blends for sorghum. this past summer. We want growers to get and disease protection. Kannar Earth Science aided in thethe best value for their dollar and be able We are bringing new Vertix Premiertransition by providing logistics andto make the best choices for their acres.brand seed treatment to improve grow- associated lab work. They verified thatWe know that growers appreciate ers all-around experience with sorghumAdvantas seed treatment recipes were onhaving choices when they make their crop seed, says Advanta Sales and Market- target and on spec. Kannar continues toand seed decisions, adds Hurst. UPL is ing Manager Tanner Antonick. Advantamake the custom seed treatment blendscommitted to offering unique solutions has worked with UPL to put the productused to treat Advanta seeds and aid in on- for growers that contribute to their bottom through several years of testing to confirmsite advisement. line. JANUARY 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /69'