Pioneer Invests in Iowa to Meet Increasing Demand for Seed and Grain

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 30, 2008 – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, today announced it has significantly increased its capital investment in Iowa in 2008 to help increase productivity and profitability of farmers and meet growing demand for its seed.

By the end of 2008, Pioneer plans to complete the investment of an additional $62 million and will have hired more than 160 additional research, production and sales employees in the state to support its business growth. Today’s announcement is part of an approximate 80 percent year-over-year increase in capital investments to be made by Pioneer in 2008 compared to 2007.

“This increase is a direct response to growing demand for Pioneer® brand products,” said Judd O’Connor, Pioneer business director. “Farmers are focused more than ever on maximizing their profitability by planting the best corn and soybean seed. That’s why they are coming to Pioneer.

“We are responding to farmers’ needs with additional investments in state-of-the-art seed production facilities and by putting more people on the ground to work with our customers to maximize the potential of the seed they buy from us. We also are boosting research capacity in the state to ensure farmers continue to get the best genetics for their growing conditions.”

Investments in research and production locations in Iowa sites include:

• Algona production – husking and conditioning equipment upgrades
• Algona research – completed major building expansion initiated in 2007 and established a soybean breeding program
• Dallas Center research – new warehouse, building remodeling for soybean aphid screening project, expansion of molecular marker capacity, increased corn research plot testing capacity and resources to support two new corn breeding programs
• Dallas Center production – new seed production testing equipment
• Dysart production – construction of a parent soybean facility and upgrades to corn husking equipment
• Hedrick production – upgrades to soybean seed treatment equipment and corn husking equipment
• Johnston research – 30,000-square-foot greenhouse expansion, insect lab expansion and overall laboratory support expansion
• Johnston production – increase parent seed production capacity
• Marion research – major building expansion to support a new corn breeding program and doubling of corn research plot testing capacity
• Reinbeck production – husk management and silage system upgrade
• Toledo production – replace corn sheller

Pioneer also is leasing two new facilities in the Des Moines area to support ongoing expansion of its business around the globe. The facilities will provide additional space for customer and sales support, and laboratories and offices for its regulatory group.

Pioneer also has production operations in Cherokee, Durant, Mt. Pleasant and Renwick and conducts research at Sheldahl. In addition, Pioneer agronomists work with Pioneer customers throughout the state to conduct product advancement trials to optimize product performance across the variety of growing environments and production practices.

“Iowa farmers grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa across myriad growing environments, and we are working closely with our customers to ensure they get the right product on the right acre to get the most out of every Pioneer seed they plant,” said O’Connor.

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 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.

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10/30/2008

Contact:
Pat Arthur
515-334-6515