Leaders of Syngenta announced the company’s dedication to the horticulture industry during a press conference held July 16 at the OFA Short Course in Columbus, Ohio. Syngenta and its partners Conrad Fafard, S&G Flowers and Fischer USA will continue to strive for improved greenhouse performance and excellence in ornamentals, the panel said.
“The acquisitions are all about synergies,” said Keelan Pulliam, president of Conrad Fafard. “We will continue to invest in each company individually but will combine our technical capabilities and skills together.”
Current advancements include the introduction of 30 new varieties and six new series for the 2007-2008 season at Fisher USA. S&G Flowers has also introduced 100 new seed varieties to its “A Cut Above” vegetative assortment. The company also added more than 40 new varieties to its annual assortment.
Conrad Fafard is expanding operations to reach customers west of Mississippi. The company has also introduced its first Organics Potting Mix, which contains no synthetic chemicals and is designed for both retail and professional use. Syngenta has also introduced its new insecticide formulation, Flagship G. The new product can now be added directly to plant containers or applied through broadcast methods.
In addition, the companies announced the “Grower of Tomorrow” program to award scholarships to undergraduate students specializing in horticulture and agronomy. Through the program, one student will receive a $2,500 scholarship and a paid summer internship with Syngenta in Greensboro, N.C. “We have a lot of good things going on,” said Rob Neil, Syngenta.
In response to a question about future advancements, the panel discussed the possibility of a combination product of granular fungicide and growing media.
“The prize is not just the products themselves, but the know-how to bring everything together,” Neil said.