DuPont has purchased an equity stake in Farms Technology as part of its strategy to create additional value for its customers and grain buyers. Specific details of the equity stake purchase were not released.

DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred recently began partnering with Farms Technology to develop MarketPoint^SM resource, a new online market service that links corn growers with end users to provide producers with enhanced profit opportunities, greater product differentiation and more convenience.

In February, Pioneer and Farms Technology, which is based in Overland Park, Kan., successfully launched a pilot program for the MarketPoint^SM resource with corn growers and ethanol plants in Nebraska.  Growers, representing more than 60 million bushels of grain, have already registered on the site.  Participating growers have shown they can make more money per bushel on corn sales through MarketPoint^SM resource than they can through traditional marketing practices.

"Farms Technology has played a vital role in helping Pioneer develop the MarketPoint^SM resource into a successful website that now is having impact on the marketplace," said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and general manager.  "The purchase of this equity stake in Farms Technology shows that we are making a long-term commitment to this unique and expanding business.  As grain markets expand, we see this involvement as a way to help customers increase their income and drive seed sales."

Further information on MarketPointSM resource is available on http://www.marketpoint.pioneer.com.