Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
July 26, 2017
- Syngenta evaluated Premier’s Enhanced Learning BlocksSM advanced on-farm trialing capabilities
- System enables automation of large-scale, on farm, replicated trials for better agronomic decisions
- Syngenta Ventures investment will help Premier deliver more innovation to customers
Syngenta and Premier Crop Systems, LLC, today announce a successful trial of Premier’s Enhanced Learning Blocks and an investment by Syngenta Ventures, the venture capital arm of Syngenta, in Premier Crop Systems.
Premier builds software tools that enable growers and their agronomic advisors to implement best-in-class precision agronomy recommendations helping customers capture the full value of their Ag data. Established in 1999 and based in Des Moines, Iowa, Premier was an early developer of digital agriculture tools and currently provides data-driven agronomic recommendations for millions of acres of farmland.
Premier recently launched its newest product, Enhanced Learning Blocks, which enables the automation of large-scale, on farm, replicated trails.
Image of Enhanced Learning Blocks, depicting how test areas can be sub-divided into randomized, replicated trials
Dan Frieberg, CEO of Premier Crop, explained, “Enhanced Learning Blocks represents a breakthrough in generating new agronomic knowledge, cost effectively, at larger scale than previously possible. With additional capital from Syngenta Ventures, we will be better able to deliver this and other new tools to growers, their advisors and the research community.”
This spring, Syngenta Research & Development (R&D) evaluated Enhanced Learning Blocks in multiple field trials. Chuck Foresman, Digital Agriculture R&D Agronomy Lead for Syngenta commented, "Premier’s Learning Blocks provides a novel and simple way to validate treatments in growers’ fields. The addition of randomization and replication within those treatments is exciting to an R&D driven company like Syngenta because it opens the possibility of scaling scientific field research."
Gabriel Wilmoth, investment director with Syngenta Ventures, added, “Premier is a perfect fit for Syngenta Ventures. Our minority investment provides capital to help bring the benefits of their technology to more growers.”
“Growers want local trial results, and you can’t get more local than each of their fields,” said Kevin Kruize, Precision Ag Leader at Central Farm Service in southern Minnesota, one of Premier Crop’s customers that also conducted 2016 trials.
Mike Manning, program lead at Aurora Cooperative, added, “Premier Crop has harnessed the technology in the cab that my growers have already purchased to enable us to scale our local research trials.”
The new investment by Syngenta Ventures will help Premier expand its team of agronomists, data scientists and customer support for new and existing customers and accelerate the launch of Enhanced Learning Blocks.
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.
About Premier Crop Systems
Premier Crop is a leading precision Ag data processing and analysis company located in Des Moines and is entering their 19th crop year. Premier Crop data analysis drives better agronomic decisions that lead to higher yields, increased profits and more sustainable practices for their customers across the Midwest. Our customers are leading retailers, agronomists and growers who are interested in discovering new knowledge that can be used to make better planning, production, and marketing decisions. Premier Crop is proud to be the behind-the-scenes technology provider for the best precision Ag programs in the country. Learn more at www.premiercrop.com.
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