In August 2004, Syngenta seeds signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in each of the five member companies of Golden Harvest (Garwood Seed Company, J.C. Robinson Seeds, Sommer Brothers Seed Company, Thorp Seed Company, and Golden Seed Company). Current shareholders retained a financial position of significant value in each of the member companies. In response to the acquisition, however, Monsanto cancelled license agreements, including glyphosate-tolerant technology for Golden Harvest soybeans.

"It's no secret we've faced some licensing obstacles from Monsanto. But we're not about to let that stop Golden Harvest from assisting growers with even more choices for critical technologies," says Rob Robinson, joint operating head of Golden Harvest. "We're going to keep offering Golden Harvest products farmers know and trust. And we're going to market multiple packages in order to deliver all the technology options farmers need to grow profitability."

Golden Harvest announced today that by applying a multi-packaging strategy for the 2006 growing season, it is taking steps to maximize choices for their customers. The company says it will provide all of its previously available technologies through a combination of the Golden Harvest brands.

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The company will also provide new technologies such as Agrisure GT (glyphosate tolerant), Agrisure CB (corn borer resistant) and others as they become available. Agrisure is Syngenta's umbrella brand for corn traits.

Golden Harvest will also distribute specific corn hybrids under the Laser brand, which offers YieldGard insect protection and Roundup Ready 2 corn technologies for the 2006 growing season, to maintain their technology product offering. Laser brand products will feature the same Golden Harvest production and quality control standards, as well as the same commitment to genetics, the company says.

Golden Harvest will also offer a similar line-up of soybean products with the Fastart brand, Golden Harvest conventional soybeans, and selected varieties of NK brand Roundup Ready beans.