Syngenta in North America announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with Quad County Corn Processors to supply the Iowa ethanol plant with Enogen grain in 2012. Syngenta and QCCP successfully conducted a trial using Enogen grain in 2009 and were able to carry that momentum forward into a formal agreement after Syngenta received regulatory approval for Enogen corn earlier this year.

“The initial three-month trial period was enough for us to consider using Enogen grain on a long-term basis,” said Delayne Johnson, general manager at Quad County Corn Processors. “Our positive experience is the reason we’re moving forward with it now and we’re excited to see the benefits Enogen grain can create at our facility over time.”

Enogen corn is bio-engineered specifically to express the alpha amylase enzyme necessary for dry grind ethanol production directly in the endosperm of the grain itself, eliminating the need to add liquid amylase. It is the first corn output trait designed to allow ethanol production to be more efficient, cost effective and better for the environment. 

“We’re excited about our collaboration with QCCP and the value we can deliver to both the ethanol plant and local area growers,” said David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels with Syngenta. “We’re confident that Enogen grain will help QCCP reduce energy and input costs while boosting production, and that hybrids featuring Enogen technology will perform up to the standards that growers expect from us.” 

Syngenta is currently collaborating with QCCP to recruit growers to supply the plant with Enogen grain.  Selected growers must sign production contracts that specify acres to be grown, testing requirements, marketing options, delivery timing and stewardship needs. In exchange, they will receive a premium price for their grain. 

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Syngenta and we’re proud to be able to work with our local growers, keep dollars in the area and add some value to our community,” added Johnson.