5 Mar 2010 --- DuPont and the state of Missouri announced DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred plans to construct a commercial and parent soybean seed production facility in New Madrid County, Mo. The $55 million project is one of many expansions Pioneer is making to ensure it meets rising demand for its products and helps farmers meet the strong global demand for grain.

Pioneer, which recently acquired 129 acres of land in Missouri’s New Madrid County, expects initial operation to begin fall 2011 after construction is completed. The new plant is expected to employ about 50 people once it is fully operational.

“This location strengthens our ability to bring new products to the market faster and to help farmers increase their productivity and profit,” said Paul E. Schickler, president – Pioneer Hi-Bred. “Our high-yielding Y Series soybeans have created even more demand for Pioneer soybeans, and this new facility will help ensure that growing demand is met.”

“As our economy continues to recover, it is critically important that high-tech, high-paying companies such as Pioneer invest in Missouri and create new jobs for our workers,” said David Kerr, director – Missouri Department of Economic Development. “Pioneer’s plan to build a new production facility in New Madrid County further demonstrates how a strong package of state tax incentive programs can serve as a powerful tool to help draw quality companies to Missouri, creating new jobs and moving our economy forward.”

“The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) is pleased to partner with the Department of Economic Development to bring this exciting project and new jobs to southeast Missouri,” said Jason Hall, executive director – MTC. “This project is a direct result of the work of the state and MTC, along with others, to strategically market Missouri’s strength in agricultural-biotechnology and to bring these next-generation jobs to all corners of the state.”

As the first Pioneer production facility in Missouri, the new plant primarily will serve soybean growers in more southern geographies in the United States. Pioneer also has a research facility in Miami, Mo., as well as selling corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat seed in the state.

The launch of the Y Series is the result of a proprietary matrix of traits and technologies Pioneer researchers have been developing and deploying to accelerate product development. Pioneer is employing its exclusive Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT) system and marker-assisted selection to boost the yield potential and improve the agronomic performance of these varieties. This harnesses the power of the Pioneer germplasm collection, strong bioassays, computing power and molecular breeding tools to drive genetic gain at unprecedented rates.

Soybean varieties from Pioneer show a 1.3 bushel per acre yield advantage against all competitive varieties, according to data collected on 11,692 direct, on-farm field comparisons in 2009. Among these comparisons, Pioneer brand soybeans, with the original 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.