Golden Acres Genetics, Ltd. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to become a distributor of Syngenta’s new Catalyst^™ brand corn seed in their market footprint across the South and High Plains beginning with the 2013 growing season. This arrangement will allow growers to purchase new Catalyst brand hybrids containing Syngenta germplasm and Agrisure^® trait technology from their local Golden Acres representative. The announcement was made by Lou Buice, president of Golden Acres Genetics.

“We’ve entered into this distribution agreement with Syngenta because we believe freedom of choice is essential to a farmer’s success,” said Buice. “Our customers will gain access to new germplasm, additional cutting-edge technology, and high quality Catalyst brand hybrids that meet the Golden Acres standard of performance and on-farm profitability. Plus, Golden Acres growers get the benefit of dealing with an independent, family-owned company rooted in local values and traditions.”

Three Catalyst brand products will be available in 2013. Two will contain the Agrisure Viptera^® 3111 trait stack, a high-performance triple stack that provides corn borer, corn rootworm, and broad lepidopteran control with dual herbicide tolerance to glufosinate and glyphosate. 7007 brand is a 115-day maturity hybrid with top-end yield potential in dryland or irrigated fields. 7893 brand is a 116-day maturity hybrid that has excellent stress tolerance for heat and drought-prone southern environments.

The third product, 7334 brand, is a broadly adapted 114-day maturity hybrid containing the Agrisure 3000GT trait stack, a triple stack for corn borer and corn rootworm control and tolerance to glufosinate and glyphosate herbicides.

“Syngenta understands that growers appreciate local choice in their seed supplier,” said David Morgan, President of Syngenta Seeds, Inc. “Catalyst brand corn seed will give them that choice while expanding their access to high-performing Syngenta germplasm and traits.” Illinois-based Burrus Hybrids has also been named a distributor for the Catalyst brand in an announcement made last month. Both Golden Acres and Burrus Hybrids are recognized for their elite status as regional brands.

Golden Acres Genetics, Ltd. formed in 1999 when founders Lou Buice and Bernard Selensky resurrected the fifty-year old brand and revitalized it with a new mission – to professionally serve family farmers with custom seed solutions that cultivate independence and success. Golden Acres currently markets corn and grain sorghum seed and related technologies to farmers across nineteen southern states. Built on the principal of “Honoring God in all we do,” they operate under the philosophy symbolized by three simple words…“Faith. Family. Farming.”

“Success and independence for the family farmer drives our decisions,” said Buice. “Bringing them greater product diversity and better choices through the Catalyst brand is just another step in pursuing that mission.”

Agrisure^®, Agrisure Viptera^® and Catalyst™ are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.  Crops or other material produced from Agrisure Corn Trait products can only be exported to, used, processed and/or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted.

Texas-based seed company Golden Acres Genetics, Ltd. is proud to announce Matthew Hays as the Seed Specialist for Kansas.  His focus will be supporting new and existing Kansas resellers while helping expand the Golden Acres brand into Nebraska and Colorado.

“Matt brings a wealth of skill and experience to his new role as our Seed Specialist in Kansas,” says Golden Acres President, Lou Buice. “We think he’s a perfect fit for the Golden Acres family.”

Upon graduation from Oklahoma State University in 1997 with a degree in Plant and Soil Science, Matthew gained fourteen years of experience maturing in his role as a sales manager for companies such as Bayer Corporation and Helena Chemical Company. Most recently, Matthew consistently exceeded his sales goals as the EMD Crop BioScience territory representative.

Matthew and his wife Kimberly have been married for ten years and are looking forward to this exciting opportunity at Golden Acres. Personally, Matthew enjoys raising show lambs and being involved in 4-H activities with his five children.

Earlier month, the National Corn Growers Association’s Mycotoxin Task Force met in Corpus Christi, Texas to discuss the status of ongoing projects and activities, including the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence (AMCOE), and to look at potential projects moving forward.  The meetings, which included an on-farm demonstration of aflatoxin testing practices, allowed the growers to share insight, hear updates on the status of many projects and gain a first-hand understanding of the unique situation faced by farmers in affected areas.

The on-farm demonstration occurred during a tour of team member and Golden Acres reseller Charles Ring’s operation.  Ring, who farms in Sinton, Texas, serves as vice chair of the taskforce.

“It was interesting to find out what farmers thought after watching a standard test for mycotoxin,” said Ring.  “The group expressed their surprise at the amount of time the test requires, about 15 minutes on average.  To those outside of farming, this might not sound burdensome, but, during the busy season, it can add a difficult delay into already rushed schedules.  While the test is certainly important, it is vital that we continue research on mycotoxin to improve the ways we both manage and test for it.”

During meetings, the team took a detailed look at the seven projects currently underway through the AMCOE partners of land-grant universities and state grower organizations.   Taking a multi-area approach to the problem, the various research projects look at areas and tactics as varied as genetics, cultural practices and biologics seeking answers to address contamination issues in corn production, storage and transporting.

The team also explored the possibility of extending the geographical area in which corn farmers may use AF-36 to reduce field toxins. This biological control, which is already approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in fighting aflatoxin in corn production in Texas, could become available to aid other growers with similar difficulties.

Finally, the team discussed the implications of possible cuts to the government’s IR-4 program, which they have used to gain funding for various research projects in the past.

Texas-based seed company Golden Acres Genetics, Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Kent Watkins as Seed Specialist for Oklahoma.  In his role, Kent will work closely with existing and prospective Golden Acres customers and resellers, providing custom seed solutions that cultivate independence and success.

Kent brings a strong sales background to Golden Acres, with 25 years of chemical and seed experience working for companies such as Fuzion Ag. Technology, UAP, and Traylor Chemical Company.  Kent’s work experience perfected his ability to identify and meet customer needs specific to their farm and ranch.

Golden Acres President Lou Buice is enthusiastic about Kent’s future with Golden Acres saying, “Kent’s experience exhibits the willingness of a strong work ethic and attention to detail our customers expect. His knowledge of agriculture in Oklahoma makes him an excellent fit for Golden Acres.”

Kent and his wife Paula have been married for 29 years and reside in Elk City. As a Certified Crop Advisor, Kent has a passion for work and farming. Kent also enjoys spending time as the Airport Commissioner of Regional Elk City Airport. He looks forward to representing Golden Acres and bringing the Golden Acres brand back into the forefront in the state of Oklahoma.

Golden Acres Genetics is an independent and family-owned company which markets corn and grain sorghum seed and related technologies to farmers across the southern half of the United States. Built on the principal of “Honoring God in all we do,” the company operates under a philosophy symbolized by three simple words – “Faith. Family. Farming.” For more information, visit www.GAseed.com.

We’re pleased to introduce another of our new Golden Acres resellers. Larry Watkins of Quinter, Kansas joined the Golden Acres family in November. Larry says he signed on with Golden Acres “because they’re an old line sorghum company offering superior hybrids that have been proven to work well for my customers.”

Larry grew up in Sheridan County Kansas and came to Quinter in 1967 while working for Moorman Manufacturing Company. Though officially retired from Moorman as of 1998, Larry continues to work hard selling high quality seed to local farmers – and undertaking he began in 1989. He says the keys to his success are approaching every situation with honesty and integrity.

When he’s not assisting customers with excellent hybrid recommendations and superior service, Larry is also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping. Larry and his wife Marsha have been married for 43 years and have to children and three grandchildren.

With his commitment and values and 2o-plus years of experience in the seed business, we’re proud to have Larry Watkins represent Golden Acres in and around Quinter, Kansas.

As planting season begins and seed starts going into the ground, I’m reminded of how fundamental planning and faith are to the business of farming.

We all strive to plan as best we can. We watch weather conditions and ground moisture to pinpoint the best time to plant. We keep up with market reports and try to determine which crop will bring the most profit and success in the coming harvest. We make sure our equipment is in fine working order and we make any needed repairs. We prepare in as many ways as are possible.

But then we put that seed in the ground and we turn our minds to hope. We wonder. Just how hot is it going to get? Will it rain at the right time and in the right measure? Will all the planning and preparation pay off? Did we make the right decisions? Then we pray.

Because planning and preparation can take us just so far, and then we have to let go. In those moments, we must believe. We have to trust in a will greater than our own and a mind wiser than our own. Maybe that’s why faith and farming have gone hand in hand through so many generations.

I hope that this Priorities Newsletter can be of some assistance as you begin your planting season. We want to partner with you in preparing for a successful harvest. Please know that we’re also praying with you and believing with you – for successful planning and preparation in the weeks to come, and for faith that the harvest will indeed be plentiful.

Golden Acres Priorities Newsletter – March 2012 Interactive Edition

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As an independent seed company, the most challenging and important things we do are all centered around one question: What works best for our customers? From an agronomic standpoint, that means focusing on some very specific characteristics that are often ignored by the national brand seed companies that focus their time and energy on the corn belt.

Golden Acres Director of Product Development, Dr. James “Doc” Allison spends his days identifying the characteristics that will translate to yield and profitability on your farm. Once those characteristics are identified then the search is on for the hybrids that display them.

According to Doc, drought and heat stress tolerance are two of the most critical and misunderstood qualities necessary for growing corn and sorghum in our geography. Drought and heat stress tolerance are two separate characteristics and they aren’t always found together.

“Drought stress tolerance has to do with yield despite a lack of soil moisture,” Doc clarifies,“while heat tolerance has to do with yield despite excessive heat.” At Golden Acres we spend 100% of our time finding the products that work best in your geography, so most of our hybrids have a lot of heat and drought stress tolerance.

Golden Acres 2755RRB (111Day) is an early maturing hybrid with both good heat and drought stress tolerance. Several of our Genuity VT Triple PRO hybrids such as 26V21 (115Day), 27V01 (117 Day), 28V81 (118 Day) all hold up extremely well against heat and drought.

To read more of Doc’s thoughts about the qualities and characteristics that will maximize yield and profit potential on your farm look for the March Priorities Newsletter which is being mailed this week. If you’d like to receive a subscription to our newsletters via email or regular mail, just send your contact information to subscribe@GAseed.com and we’ll make sure that you’re kept up to date on all the latest Golden Acres news.

Brush up on stewardship requirements and recommendations before you plant. It’s important to understand the refuge requirements for the traits you’re going to plant and make sure all your technology licenses are up to date. Effective management and stewardship of trait technologies is key to preserving their value and continued use in the future.

Stewardship requirements include signing applicable trait licensing agreements and following all applicable Insect Resistance Management (IRM) practices in order to protect the long-term value and effectiveness of trait technologies.

• All growers planting Agrisure traits must complete a current Syngenta Stewardship Agreement. This agreement has been updated recently, so it’s a good idea to sign a new version just to make sure you’re current. Visit MyAgrisure.com and click Stewardship for more information.

• If you’re planting Monsanto traits you’re required to have a current Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement. Growers who have not renewed to the 2010 or later version should go to ReNewMTSA.com or call 800-768-6387, Option #3 to begin the renewal process.

• All growers planting Herculex traits must have completed a current Dow AgroSciences Grower Agreement. Visit TraitStewardship.com for easy relicensing.

As we move into the upcoming planting season, you should also be aware that IRM audits were conducted in 2011 which found many growers out of compliance with refuge requirements. It is very important to know that audits will continue in2012 and those growers found out of compliance for two consecutive years will face the penalty of not having access to traited seed.

If you have any questions about refuge or technology licensing requirements, call your local Golden Acres representative. They’ll be glad to walk you through the process and help you customize a stewardship plan that protects your access to future traits and ensures your return on investment this season. ♦

Si-Gro H-44 – A medium maturity forage sorghum that delivers an excellent grain to stover ratio. This plant has exceptional standability and drought tolerance and a good disease protection package. Although generally short-statured, its abundant leaves allow it to get taller when planted later in the season for maximum flexibility.

340 BMR – This yield-packing Brown Midrib hybrid features the Brachytic Dwarf trait resulting in shortened internodes and a very compact, leafy plant with excellent standability and yield potential. This forage sorghum hybrid delivers high quality, highly digestible hay or silage but is not recommended for grazing.

318 – A dual-purpose medium-late maturity hybrid with good stress tolerance and exceptional yield potential, this forage sorghum hybrid performs best in areas with adequate moisture or irrigation. The large semi-compact head type produces bronze colored grain. This is a taller hybrid with excellent grain to stover ratio.

753 BMR+ – A Brown Midrib sorghum sudangrass with excellent palatability and a marked reduction in lignin content in the plant. It is highly digestible and highly recommended for haying, silage, and grazing. The photosensitive trait provides a wide window of harvest and ensures consistent quality over the entire growing season.

Family-owned Solomon Rapids Seed is known for sales expertise  and a long history across the state of Kansas. Originally Johnson Thierolf Mercantile, the Beloit-based company traces its roots to 1901.

In 1993 the company came to be known as Solomon Rapids Seed under the ownership of Don Boden which continues to this day. Throughout its history, the company’s values of customer service and standing up to your word have remained constant.

According to sales manager Russ Mans, “the Golden Acres product line, family-owned values and nostalgic brand name are a good fit with our heritage. We have the same goals and speak the same language.”

Seed resellers have to be trusted advisors who align their goals with the customer’s success. Solomon Rapids serves their customers with customized and profitable solutions in a timely fashion. That keeps them coming back over time.