We talked a lot about corn at the Syngenta Learning Center program in Iowa but soybeans were also a major topic of discussion. One of the presenters was Gene Kassmeyer, Head of Soybeans, Syngenta Seeds.
Gene says that soybeans are a crop that’s changing rapidly. For one thing he says there are a number of new pest problems to deal with like aphids and that soybean cyst nematode continues to be a problem. Gene says that Syngenta is working on new herbicide resistant varieties and that some of the new products released this year have significant performance improvements.
You can listen to my interview with Gene here: learning-centers-kassmeyer.mp3
Or you can download the interview using this link: 
Gene Kassmeyer Interview (5 min MP3)
Growers attending the Syngenta Learning Center in Milford, IA might have wished they could drive this car but they were content to grow the fuel that’s powering it around the track this season. The #17 Rahal Letterman show car was accompanied by Al Jentz, 
Al says that although he felt like he was preaching to the choir his presentation allowed corn growers to learn more about EPIC’s promotional activities and ask questions.
The latest in renewable energy vehicles from Ford joins Missouri Governor Matt Blunt’s official fleet. Ford has produced just 20 of its hybrid-electric, flex-fuel Escapes that can run on E85 fuel and Ford Manager Tony Reinhart handed Blunt the keys to one of these rare vehicles. Blunt says the specially-equipped Escape will help promote his Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard, which outlines that all fuel sold in the state will have to contain 10% percent ethanol by January of 2008. The Governor pointed out that Missouri is the fourth state to have such a requirement. The hybrid, flex-fuel also meets Blunt’s executive order that requires at least 70% of new vehicles purchased by the state to be flex-fuel vehicles.
One of the more entertaining presenters at today’s Syngenta Learning Center in Milford, IA was Dr. Fred Below. He’s a professor of crop physiology at the University of Illinois.
The Syngenta Learning Center in Milford, IA was located on a farm just south of town. The owner of that farm is Bruce Johnson.
One of the presenters at the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing is Bruce Battles, Agronomy Marketing Manager, Syngenta Seeds. He talked about the science of corn from the standpoint of what Syngenta is working on with new varieties. He says that there are a lot of options and challenges for growers. For example he says they’re working on solutions to the challenges of planting corn after corn.
The Syngenta Learning Centers got off to a great start today as everyone was divided up into groups and then rotated between different program stations.