b"A SWAN SONG FOR ONE OF WESTERN CANADAS TOP SOYBEAN VARIETIESAs the S0009-M2 soybean from Syngenta Canada sails off into the sunset, its creators talk about why its so deserving of the 2024 Seed of the Year Award.Marc ZienkiewiczSOMETIMES A VARIETY that has little potential in one half of the country ends up seeing massive success in the other half. The S0009-M2 soybean from Syngenta Canada is one of those. The variety, which is being phased out after nearly a decade of fanfare, stands as a game-changer that made soybeans a real-ity in the West. For exactly that reason, the variety is being awarded Seed World Canadas Seed of the Year honour for 2024.S0009-M2 was developed from Syngenta Canadas germplasm and an early line acquisition from AAFCs soybean research program. Recognizing the importance of external germplasm, the Syngenta Canada team was made up of David Lee, his mentor Don McClure and Jake Delheimerwith a bit of help from Elroy Cober from AAFC in Ottawa.Jake Delheimer (left) is soybean breeding project lead at Syngenta Canada.The pivotal moment of S0009-M2s genesis occurred at Syngentas Plattsville, Ont. research station, a facility that focuses on R&D of both crop protection products and seeds.It was there that we identified a single plant that ultimately led to the creation of the variety. From that point onward, there was no looking backit performed exceptionally well, Lee remembers. An intriguing characteristic was S0009-M2's consistently robust pod clus-ter on the top of the plant, a distinctive feature that proved useful for growers. Spotting seven or eight pods clustered at the top signaled the success of theDon McClure led the development ofDavid Lee helped create the S0009-M2 soybean field. S0009-M2, which was developed fromsoybean. Its a year of double honours for him Syngenta Canadas germplasm and an earlyas hes also received the Plant Breeding & Equally fascinating was the occurrenceline acquisition from AAFCs soybean researchGenetics Award for 2024.program.20GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024"