Pioneer Releases 59 New Hybrids for 2008 Planting

Twenty-three new genetic platforms introduced

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, announces the release of 59 new Pioneer® brand corn hybrids, available to growers across North America for the 2008 planting season. This includes 23 new genetic families matched with technology from the Herculex® family of insect protection traits and the Roundup Ready® Corn 2 trait.

This class consists of 15 Pioneer double-stack hybrids containing the Herculex I gene and the Roundup Ready Corn 2 trait, offering more technology options for growers to meet individual field needs.

This class also contains 22 new triple stack hybrids offering Herculex XTRA insect protection and the Roundup Ready Corn 2 trait, making 40 triple stack products in all available within the Pioneer line-up for growers for 2008 planting. Herculex XTRA offers a combination of the Herculex I trait and Herculex RW rootworm protection gene to guard against a broader range of above- and below-ground insects in corn than any other product on the market.

The Herculex I gene protects the corn plant against European and southwestern corn borer, western bean cutworm, black cutworm, fall armyworm, corn earworm, sugarcane borer, southern cornstalk borer and lesser cornstalk borer, while the Herculex RW trait protects against western, northern and Mexican corn rootworms.

Based on university and Pioneer Agronomy Sciences trials in 2007, Pioneer hybrids with Herculex traits had consistently higher yields and were more effective against root damage than hybrids with YieldGard® traits developed by Monsanto.

“The maturity for these new hybrids range from 75, or very early, to 118 CRM,” says Bob Heimbaugh, North American director of corn product management for Pioneer. “We are excited about the wide range of technology stacks in North America which offers superior insect protection for our new elite genetic platforms.”

To meet rising end-use market demands, Pioneer is leading with technologies for white and waxy hybrids. White corn is used primarily in products for human consumption and waxy is used for syrups, ethanol and other specialty starch products.

Last year, Pioneer introduced a stack of the Herculex I and Roundup Ready traits in waxy corn. Pioneer is the first to offer three new white Herculex trait-protected hybrids to the marketplace.

“Pioneer continues to lead end-use markets for white and waxy by working with processors to utilize technology traits,” says Heimbaugh. “Processors want good test weight and kernel integrity, and minimal disease and insect damage - with these new technologies growers can produce high-quality grain that meets processor expectations.”

Pioneer continues to improve genetic gain and technology options for growers.

“Pioneer is focusing on matching hybrids to a producer’s operation on a field-by-field basis,” says Heimbaugh. “From an industry perspective, we want to provide a package of platforms with technology options so growers are getting the best genetics for their operation and growing area.”

For more information about these new hybrids and technologies, contact your local Pioneer sales professional.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont Leaving Pioneer.com is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.