DuPont Unveils New Strategy to Expand its Seed Business

Pioneer Hi-Bred Partners with Seed Companies to Introduce New Products, Brands

CHICAGO, Ill. — DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred today unveiled a new business strategy to bring its seed genetics to more acres around the world through a network of partnerships and new brands.

The strategy, called PROaccessSM business strategy, announced during the American Seed Trade Association’s annual conference, will increase Pioneer global seed market reach through co-brands, second brands and investments. In the United States alone, this strategy will allow Pioneer to have access to distribution systems that cover an additional 5 percent of corn acres.

"PROaccessSM adds to the momentum we have been building in the Pioneer business,” said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and general manager.

“For more than 80 years, our goal has been to increase the productivity and profitability of Pioneer customers,” he continued. “PROaccessSM expands upon that mission by making available our unique, elite seed genetics to help our partners around the world expand their selection of high-performing products and increase their customers’ yields and income.”

Through the PROaccessSM business strategy, Pioneer will develop customized business agreements with independent seed companies to address their specific needs.

“We know that the seed business is not one-size-fits-all. Each company has its own needs,” Schickler said. “That’s why we have built flexibility into this strategy by customizing the agreements to fit the individual needs of each company.”

Pioneer will manage the PROaccessSM business strategy relationships separate from its Pioneer brand. The seed marketed and distributed by these companies will be unique and not available from Pioneer sales reps.

“The PROaccessSM brands are being represented by companies with rich heritages and successful distribution systems,” Schickler said. “Through the partnership with us, they are strengthening their ability to offer farmers a diverse line of genetics and product choices.”

PROaccessSM business strategy agreements have been established in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and the United States. Pioneer plans to continue expanding the number of partners and acres through the PROaccessSM business strategy.

Within the United States, PROaccessSM business strategy includes agreements with leading independent seed companies, encompassing nearly 20 key corn and soybean states. These distribution agreements enable the launch of new corn and soybean products not currently available to farmers. These U.S. co-brands are owned by Pioneer Hi-Bred and include genetics from Pioneer; however, each seed company has exclusive marketing and distribution rights.

In the United States, Pioneer has distribution agreements with several companies, including:

* AgVenture, Kentland, Ind., distributors of VPMaxxTM brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
* Doebler’s Pennsylvania Hybrids, Inc., Jersey Shore, Pa., distributors of RPMTM brand corn hybrids.
* Hoegemeyer Hybrids, Hooper, Neb., distributor of HPTTM corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
* NuTech Seed, Ames, Iowa, distributor of G2TM Genetics brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
* Seed Consultants, Inc., Washington Court House, Ohio, distributor of Supreme EXTM brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.

Additionally, Pioneer announced in May 2008 it acquired the CurryTM Seed brand name and will continue to sell corn and introduce soybean seed.

GreenLeaf Genetics, LLC, (GLG) was an early step in Pioneer’s business strategy. GLG, a 50/50 joint venture formed in April 2006 by DuPont and Syngenta, continues to provide expanded options to U.S. and Canadian farmers through broader access to both companies’ proprietary corn and soybean genetics and biotechnology traits.

Outside the United States, Pioneer has the following agreements in place:

* BioGene™, Brazil, Pioneer’s second-brand of seed corn hybrids.
* Agricol, South Africa, distributor of IMPAK™ brand corn hybrids.
* Ducor, Mexico, a DuPont joint venture and distributor of Ducor® brand corn and sorghum hybrids.

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.