Speaking yesterday at the Goldman Sachs 12^th annual Agricultural Biotech Forum, DuPont Group Vice President Erik Fyrwald announced a new insect control system for the company’s seed corn product line, a new platform of soybean technology that will deliver a 40 percent increase in yield over the next decade, and a second seed corn brand for Brazil.

Better Corn Insect Control System

The new insect control system, Optimum® AcreMax™, will provide corn growers with improved productivity by increasing the number of acres farmers can plant to the industry’s most advanced insect control options.  The first of several Optimum® AcreMax™ products will be launched as early as 2009, pending regulatory approval.

Higher Yielding Soybeans

Erik explained that the yield increase will come from a convergence of  its proprietary Accelerated Yield Technology™, the Optimum® GAT® herbicide tolerance trait, and biotech yield traits built upon superior base genetics.

New Corn Seed Brand for Brazil

Erik also announced plans for DuPont to expand its market share lead in Brazil through the launch of a second seed brand by its Pioneer Hi-Bred business.  The new BioGene™ brand will enable Pioneer to extend its reach to a segment of Brazilian farmers who do not choose to buy premium, high-technology seed for which the Pioneer® brand is known. 

2008 Outlook for DuPont Ag & Nutrition

The DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition segment posted a 14 percent gain in revenue in 2007.  That gain was partially driven by stronger seed sales from the company’s Pioneer Hi-Bred business.  Pioneer reported a record 40 percent increase in fourth quarter seed sales over the same period in 2006.

“Our investments in seed around the globe are paying off with consistent market share gains in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa,” Erik said.

He added that the Agriculture & Nutrition business segment is on track to deliver double-digit earnings growth in 2008 and into the foreseeable future.  Erik’s presentation is available in the DuPont Investor Center at www.dupont.com.

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