Syngenta’s Plans For Ornamentals

Syngenta Professional Products has brought new leadership over from Europe to direct activities in North America and maximize synergies between recent acquisitions. Bert Wagemans, who was the global business manager for ornamentals, is now the NAFTA market lead in charge of business development. 

Wagemans grew up in Holland and has spent the last 18 years focused on agriculture, starting as a sales manager for Rhone Poulenc Agro and then moving into international product management at Zeneca Agrochemicals. Eight years ago, Novartis and AstraZeneca merged their agribusinesses to form Syngenta, the first global group focused on agribusiness.

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“The last two years, we’ve seen enormous market uplift and investment due to increased demand for row crops and biofuels,” he says. “We’re just seeing the first generation of biofuels now. The next breakthrough will be cellulosic fermentation.”

Syngenta’s global market for agriculture is now $60 billion compared to $40 billion before, he says. Crop protection chemicals represent 56 percent of the revenue. In specialty crops, where ornamentals would fall, crop protection chemical sales represent $5 billion.

While this may seem like a small piece of the pie, Syngenta has dedicated research and development just for ornamentals and Wagemans considers ornamentals to be a motor for innovation. Research labs are located in Stein, Switzerland; Jealotts Hill, England; Vero Beach, Fla.; Raleigh and Greensboro, N.C.; Gilroy, Calif.; and Anderson, S.C.

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“At Fafard’s facility in Anderson, S.C., we’re adding science to a growing media company,” Wagemans says. “This is the kitchen and now we start to cook recipes–solutions for ornamentals growers. We’re looking at water retention agents, alternatives to peat and if crop protection chemicals could be incorporated into growing media. But unlike in the crop protection industry, there isn’t a regulatory framework for growing media.”

Syngenta’s global presence allows U.S. growers to benefit from products and strategies that are successful for growers in other countries. One example is the Bioline microbials and beneficials. These have been used in Europe and by Dutch tomato and pepper growers in Canada. In the United States, Florikan has been a distributor for growers in Florida and California. The two big drivers for beneficials are to minimize resistance to chemical products and for the grower to have a greener image and selling point.

“While beneficials have worked for monoculture growers, there is a clear difference when you are producing 25 varieties versus two,” Wagemans says. “Growers perceive it will not work. It can work with crops that are longer than bedding plants.Year round, sometimes there are times the grower doesn’t need chemicals. With beneficials, we are looking at timing of release and what chemicals can still be used. Growers need the option to use chemicals and beneficials. We just need to figure out how to do it with 25 crops.”

Top Ornamentals Pests Globally
1. Mites
2. Aphids
3. Thrips
4. Whiteflies
5. Leafminers

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Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Mr.Wagemans,

I have over 20 years of experience selling pest control products(currently hold PCA and QAL Licenses) and making recommendations for the state of California’s ornamental growers. I am thoroughly knowledgable in all forms of ornamental pest control, practice IPM, and very much enjoy biological control whenever possible (it’s fun!). I have actually represented and sold Syngenta Bioline products for years (as well as the pesticide line). I find it very interesting that you (or they)have listed pest pressure in the order that you have. I realize you’re probably speaking globally, but here in CA I might rearrange the order in a somewhat different way. I look forward to communicating with you in the future, as I find Syngenta’s direction to the grower very fascinating in the whole concept of Integrated Pest Manangement. It is indeed unique to the industry! Respectfully, Grady Van Cleve, PCA, QAL

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Mr.Wagemans,

I have over 20 years of experience selling pest control products(currently hold PCA and QAL Licenses) and making recommendations for the state of California’s ornamental growers. I am thoroughly knowledgable in all forms of ornamental pest control, practice IPM, and very much enjoy biological control whenever possible (it’s fun!). I have actually represented and sold Syngenta Bioline products for years (as well as the pesticide line). I find it very interesting that you (or they)have listed pest pressure in the order that you have. I realize you’re probably speaking globally, but here in CA I might rearrange the order in a somewhat different way. I look forward to communicating with you in the future, as I find Syngenta’s direction to the grower very fascinating in the whole concept of Integrated Pest Manangement. It is indeed unique to the industry! Respectfully, Grady Van Cleve, PCA, QAL