FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont
Executive Vice President James C. Collins discussed priorities for the company's agriculture business segment today at the Bank of America
Merrill Lynch 2017 Global Agriculture and Chemicals Conference, including plans to deliver new genetics, biotech traits and crop
protection products.
"As demand for grain and other food products continues to increase, the most urgent challenge for growers is to improve crop
productivity on every acre," Collins said. "As a result of our ongoing strategic investments in agriculture research, DuPont has
the tools to help growers produce more crops on each acre, which drives value for our customers and our shareholders.
"Addressing these challenges creates attractive long-term growth opportunities for DuPont," Collins said. "In 2017, we are
focused on achieving our financial commitments, and driving rapid and successful technology launches."
Pipeline Delivers Near- and Long-Term Solutions
Collins presented an update of the agriculture research pipeline for DuPont, including a 2017 limited commercial introduction
of Pioneer® brand Qrome™ products1. He also highlighted launches of Pioneer® brand
A-Series soybeans and DuPont™ Vessarya™ disease control, as well as regional expansions of
Pioneer® brand hybrids with Leptra® insect protection and DuPont™ Zorvec™
fungicide.
"Our new corn hybrids and soybean varieties are delivering outstanding performance, demonstrating the benefits of the focused
investments we have made in recent years," said Collins. "We have created one of the most extensive germplasm libraries in the
world and continue to advance our expertise by encompassing marker-assisted selection, trait integration, and the latest in
targeted breeding techniques."
Qrome™ products unlock more of the full performance potential of Pioneer's elite corn germplasm. These
high-yielding Qrome™ products feature an advanced, proprietary molecular stack trait technology to provide yield
protection against above- and below-ground pests. In multi-year testing, Qrome™ products consistently delivered 4-7
bushels per acre yield improvement over legacy technologies.1
In Brazil, Leptra® insect protection offers broad-spectrum above-ground insect
control. The initial launch of Leptra® insect protection in the 2016/2017 Brazil
summer season was one of the fastest technology ramp ups in Pioneer history; Pioneer will continue its expansion of
Leptra® by launching the product in Argentina this year.
Collins said he expects Pioneer to continue as a market leader in soybeans with the launch of the new A-Series soybeans,
Pioneer's highest yielding line of soybean varieties ever. In 2017, Pioneer is offering 54 new A-Series varieties,
including 30 new varieties of Pioneer® brand soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology. In 2016
on-farm Pioneer trials, A-Series varieties produced an average yield advantage of 2.3 bu/acre against 10,000 comparisons of elite
competitors at 400 locations.2
Collins discussed DuPont™ Zorvec™ disease control, which delivers consistent and longer control of oomycete diseases such as
late blight and downy mildew for growers of potatoes, grapes and vegetables. First sales of Zorvec™ disease control products were
in 2016, and are now sold in more than 10 countries, including China. Additional countries
in Asia Pacific and Latin America are expected to launch in
2017.
Another fungicide that is launching in Brazil this year, DuPont™
Vessarya™, combines two leading fungicides to provide protection against Asian soybean rust. Testing has shown
Vessarya™ fungicide provided superior performing control of Asian soybean rust, with highest average yield compared to
competitive treatments.3
Collins also highlighted DuPont's research for insect control. DuPont™ Pyraxalt™ insecticide, which has been specifically
developed to protect rice crops in Asia, is nearing launch with first sales expected in 2018.
With novel activity for control of a wide spectrum of hopper insects in rice, Pyraxalt™ insecticide is expected to set a new
standard for high potency, low use rate with a favorable environmental profile.
To view a full copy of today's presentation, visit the "Events
& Presentations" page on the DuPont Investor Center.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative
products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and
thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere,
decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its
commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.
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1 2011–2015 DuPont Pioneer research trials.
Qrome™ products are approved for cultivation in the United States and Canada and also have received import approval in a number of importing countries. DuPont Pioneer
continues to pursue additional import approvals for Qrome™ products, including in China, in
accordance with Excellence Through Stewardship Product Launch Guidance.
Agrisure® is a registered trademark of, and used under license from, a Syngenta Group Company.
Agrisure® technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under a license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG.
Herculex® XTRA insect protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex® and the HX
logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. YieldGard®, the YieldGard Corn Borer design and Roundup
Ready® are registered trademarks used under license from Monsanto Company. LibertyLink® and the Water
Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer.
2 Data is based on average of 2016 comparisons made across all major soybean growing areas of the United States through Nov. 29, 2016. Comparisons are against all
competitors in Pioneer IMPACT™ plots unless otherwise stated, and within +/-03 RM of the
competitive brand. Product responses are variable and subject to any number of environmental, disease and pest pressures.
Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data are a better predictor of future performance. DO NOT USE THIS OR
ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION.
DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology unless you use a
dicamba herbicide product that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application. IT
IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN IN-CROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON SOYBEANS WITH Roundup
Ready 2 Xtend® technology, OR ANY OTHER PESTICIDE APPLICATION, UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THE
USE. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba
herbicide products for in-crop use with soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology contain
genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.
Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba.
Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license.
3 In trials conducted by Embrapa, (a group of Independent Soy fungicide experts across Brazil) in the 2015/2016 season DuPont's Vessarya™, on average over 30 different locations, was
the best performing product for the control of Asian soybean rust with highest average yield of the 18 competitive treatments
tested.
DuPont™ Pyraxalt™ is not registered for use or sale in the United States and other countries.
No offer for sale, sale or use of these products is permitted prior to the issuance of the country level registration.
DuPont™ Zorvec™ is not registered for use or sale in the United States.
No offer for sale, sale or use of these products is permitted prior to the issuance of the country level registration.
The DuPont Oval logo, DuPont™ and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are trademarks or registered
trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
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SOURCE DuPont