Yield Advantage in Soybeans Against Newest Competitor Varieties Especially Dramatic
DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 23, 2009 – On-farm yield comparisons and early orders suggest continued strong growth for DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred in 2010.
“Based on what we are hearing from growers this fall, we believe we can extend our soybean market share leadership and gain 1 to 2 points of global seed corn share next year,” said Paul E. Schickler, president -- Pioneer Hi-Bred.
North America
“The data coming in from North American on-farm soybean yield comparisons is showing a significant difference between Pioneer® brand soybean varieties and our competitors’ new varieties with the latest technology,” said Schickler.
In 11,692 comparisons, the data shows Pioneer® brand soybeans, including Pioneer® Y Series soybeans, have a 1.3 bushel per acre yield advantage on average against all competitive varieties. Pioneer® brand soybeans with the Roundup Ready® gene have on average a 2.7 bushel per acre yield advantage against varieties from competitors with the new Roundup Ready 2 Yield® technology.
This year’s U.S. corn harvest is the latest of the past 25 years, but initial information coming in from growers indicates another year of strong performance from Pioneer® hybrids.
“We are delivering both yield and income advantages over hybrids from competitors, including DeKalb,” said Schickler. “In addition to those advantages, this season has clearly shown growers how Pioneer® brand hybrids can deliver better disease resistance, grain quality and test weights than products from competitors.”
Specific yield comparisons from growers are available at www.pioneer.com/yield. The site is updated daily. An overall summary of Pioneer® brand corn hybrid performance will be available once harvest is more complete.
“North America’s success this fall will be a strong contributor to the global 1 to 2 points of corn share increase we expect in 2010,” said Schickler.
Around the world
Strong product performance in Europe is expected to drive sales growth for Pioneer. In nearly 8,500 comparisons across Europe in 2009, Pioneer® brand corn hybrids have on average a 4.5 bushel per acre yield advantage over competitors.
Pioneer expects around 7 points more market share in Argentina from the 2009 planting season due to strong product performance. That strong product performance is expected to further increase share with the 2010 planting.
In Brazil, Pioneer is positioned to continue to increase its position in the high value biotech corn market. Just two years since biotech traits were approved in Brazil, more than 60 percent of the Pioneer corn product line there is sold with the new insect protection traits. Pioneer is the leading provider of Herculex® I insect protection, which provides a broader spectrum of protection than the alternative trait for Brazilian corn growers. Sales of corn with insect protection are expected to continue to grow to more than 80 percent in 2010.
“The strong product performance and demand for Pioneer products around the world is a testament to research and sales teams that are focused squarely on delivering the best products for growers everywhere,” said Schickler.
“Our approach of bringing traits to the market in a wide variety of genetics and then working with customers to get the right product on the right acre continues to pay off for growers.”
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.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments or new information. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “indicates,” and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.
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11/23/09
Supporting Materials:
Pioneer® brand Regional Soybean Yields
USDA Crop Progress Report 
Pioneer® Brand Soybeans Show Significant Yield Advantage Over Competitive Varieties in 2009
Contact:
Doyle Karr
515-270-3428