Syngenta and M.S. Technologies Announce Soybean Trait Stack
The big news for Syngenta at this year’s Farm Progress Show was the partnership with M.S. Technologies, LLC to launch a groundbreaking herbicide-tolerant soybean trait stack, with broad commercial availability expected in 2029 pending regulatory approvals. This new trait stack will be marketed by Syngenta seed brands, Stine Seed Company and others.
“This is a real exciting trait stack, because really what it’s bringing new to the game is the widest options for HPPD herbicides on soybeans of any current or next generation trait stack,” said Syngenta Global Oilseeds and Cereals Portfolio Strategy Head Andy Heggenstaller. “This trait combination will allow application of 24-D glyphosate and glufosinate, like farmers are used to with the Enlist E3 system and will also bring the widest optionality.”
Heggenstaller says the new trait stack is as yet unnamed. “We’ll announce the name and the brand for this early next year. We have some work with farmers right now having them help us on the name,” he said.
Learn more about this exciting new technology in this interview from Farm Progress Show.
FPS25 Interview with Andy Heggenstaller, Syngenta (6:00)
DWFI Podcast 45 – From Chance Encounters to Global Impact
This episode of the Water for Food Podcast explores the valuable collaborations that can arise from in-person interactions, even in a digital age. Host Frances Hayes, DWFI director of communications and public relations, shares a story that perfectly illustrates the lasting impact of those face-to-face moments, which can lead to unexpected and valuable partnerships.
Adam Keough, program manager with Catholic Relief Services and Treaven Scheideler, a University of Nebraska student, discuss their cross-cultural collaboration, sparked by a chance meeting at a tractor museum during the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference. Adam’s team in El Salvador needed hands-on training with mechanized equipment and Treaven, drawing on his own farming experience in Nebraska, provided assistance while taking advantage of a formative learning experience.
Click to view photos from Treaven’s visit to El Salvador
Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI podcast episode 45 28:04
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.
How to subscribe:
ZimmCast 750 – Interviews from the Farm Progress Show
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.
It has been a busy time for the the ZimmComm Team in the past few weeks. After the Tech Hub Live conference it was on the way to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Ag Media Summit, ACE Annual Meeting and the Farm Progress Show. I’m on my way home from the 2025 FPS and thought I’d share some interviews.
Besides an interview with Rob Shaffer, Illinois farmer, about the John Deere announcement about B30 biodiesel compatibility across all of their engine portfolio, I’m sharing an interview with Andy Heggenstaller, Global Oilseeds and Cereals Portfolio Strategy Head, Syngenta, who talks about Syngenta and M.S. Technologies and the next generation in soybean herbicide tolerance, and then Craig Abell, National Executive Agronomist, Syngenta, who talks about a new soil-applied insecticide product soon to come to market.
There are lots of other interviews and audio, besides photos, in our AgNewsWire virtual ag newsroom from this year’s Farm Progress Show. I want to thank Syngenta for making it possible to attend the show this year.
So, that’s the ZimmCast for now. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.
Listen to the episode here:
ZimmCast 750 - 2025 FPS Interviews (16:52)
That’s the ZimmCast for now. Please let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.
We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.
Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:
Industry Ag News 8/28
2025 Farm Progress Show – Day 3
It’s going to another beautiful day at the 2025 Farm Progress Show. This photo is from a high platform set up at the GSI exhibit. I appreciate them letting me take some photos on it.
The virtual ag newsroom we have created on AgNewsWire is full of interviews and other audio and lots of photos. I want to thank Syngenta for once again making my trip here possible.
Yesterday, I reminisced with several people about when they attended their first Farm Progress Show and how it has evolved into the 2 permanent sites in Decatur, IL and Boone, IA. There are many stories to tell. I’m going to work on a gathering some of them for a future ZimmCast podcast. In the meantime, I’m going to use some of the interviews I have from this show for a new episode.
Illinois Governor Announces Fertilizer Plant at FPS
At the Farm Progress Show this week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced a $2 billion investment from Cronus Chemicals to construct a new fertilizer production facility in Tuscola, Illinois, a project more than a decade in the making.
“Having a fertilizer production facility so close to home will help us meet the rising demand and keep costs lower for farmers. Over the past several years, we’ve seen fertilizer prices skyrocket,” said Pritzker. “Now, Cronus Chemicals will help to stem the high tide of pricing by bringing an annual production capacity of 950,000 short tons of ammonia right in central Illinois.”
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello says the farm economy is “extremely unstable” right now. “Anything we can do to help producers is extremely important right now,” said Costello. “The average tariff or tax on ag inputs has gone from one percent to 12 percent in seven months.”
Pritzker says the company has hung in there over a decade to make the project happen because it makes sense. “They’re locating it here because the farms are here, because the producers are here, because this is the place that the investment is going to pay off greatest for the company and that’s why they’ve chosen it.”
Gov. Pritzker announcement (10:38)Syngenta Seeds Gives Farmers Options
Once again, Syngenta Seeds had a strong presence at the Farm Progress Show to give farmers a peak at the latest developments to help them get the best return on their investment every year.
“Farmers are at the heart of everything we do at Syngenta Seeds and when we think about commitment to farmers, it really comes in something that is through our people, our product pipeline and our trait pipeline,” said Syngenta Seeds North America Regional Director Eric Boeck. “In today’s agriculture, choice is really important. To have options as a farmer so that you can make the best decisions for your farm and that’s what Syngenta does.”
Some of what’s new this year for Syngenta is plans to launch a groundbreaking herbicide-tolerant soybean trait stack with M.S. Technologies. “Weed control options are really important for farmers. So what this trait is gonna allow farmers to do is harness the best of genetics, the best of yield, the best of agronomic traits, along with the new herbicide trait that’s going to give them options, at the latter part of this decade.”
Boeck is also excited about the new Durastak Corn Trait Stack. “Durastak is a new mode of action for corn rootworm, which a lot of farmers battle,” said Boeck. “It is going to be a great opportunity to experience brand new genetics with the first triple BT stack to battle rootworm.”
Learn more in this interview with Eric Boeck.
FPS25 Interview with Eric Boeck, Syngenta Seeds (3:57)
You can find a number of interviews about what’s new from Syngenta Seeds and Seedcare and Golden Harvest in our Farm Progress Show virtual news room.
2025 Farm Progress Show – Day 2
There’s nothing better than stopping early by the Syngenta booth to see the baristas making great coffee drinks. I started with the cold brew with a little bit of cream. Very good and guaranteed to wake you up.
Our virtual ag newsroom on AgNewsWire has plenty of pictures and audio. I’ll be working on some more interviews and photos throughout today. The weather has probably been the best ever for a Farm Progress Show. Hopefully that will continue for the last day!
USDA Deputy Secretary at Farm Progress Show
USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden filled in for his boss at the 2025 Farm Progress Show Tuesday, chatting on the mainstage with Mike Pearson of This Week in AgriBusiness and answering question from farm reporters on site.
The first topic addressed was New World Screwworm in light of the latest headlines about human case in Maryland. “So the good news is, that case, which is a solitary human case, was because a citizen of this country traveled to Central America, was exposed to it there and brought it back, and it has no implications for agriculture,” said Vaden. “It’s bad for that particular human, although it’s easily treatable with modern medicine. But what we are worried about is ensuring that the fly does not enter into our cattle supply.” To that end, Vaden says USDA has shut the border to cattle from Mexico and is working with Mexican officials on a sterile fly program to keep the pests from entering the U.S.
Vaden also expressed the administration’s strong support for domestic biofuels. “I think it’s fair to say that the second Trump administration has been the most pro biofuels administration that we’ve had,” said Vaden. “We at USDA are very supportive of the Environmental Protection Agency and the proposed renewable volume obligations. We think those numbers are wonderful and are where they need to be and meet the current ability of America to produce biofuels.
On the trade front, Vaden talked about the Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trading practices and increasing export market opportunities for corn and soybeans.
On stage and answering media questions, Vaden also discussed USDA team and nominees, agency reorganization, modernization of funds distribution to farmers, regional USDA hubs, farm bill future, commodity prices, short term relief, meetings at FPS, markets for ethanol, and staffing questions. Listen to both below:
USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden mainstage (27:18)