Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance Increases Planted Acreage of Low Linolenic Soybeans

12/09/06 Growers across the Midwest have expanded options to earn special premiums for their soybeans during the 2007 season. The Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance is dramatically increasing planted acreage of low linolenic soybeans to meet growing demand for TREUS Low Linolenic Soybean Oil. Selected elevators throughout the region will offer up to a 40-cent premium per bushel for low linolenic soybeans from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont subsidiary.

This is the third year for the contracting program. From a targeted base in Iowa in 2005, the geography has expanded each year and will reach into eight states for the 2007 growing season, including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

In conjunction with the premium program, the Alliance is marketing TREUS Low Linolenic Soybean Oil to food companies to help meet increasing consumer demand for nutritious foods. Pioneer and Bunge are working with growers and local elevators to contract special low lin varieties used to produce TREUS oil.

"We are seeing strong demand from food companies for low linolenic soybean oil and are excited to offer valuable contracting opportunities to soybean growers," said Troy Hobbs, Alliance business manager. "Growers who participate in our low linolenic program not only are helping meet the increasing consumer demand for foods with improved nutritional profiles, they also are positioning U.S. growers as leaders and innovators in the global marketplace."

Growers who sign up to deliver Pioneer brand low lin soybeans to participating elevators earn attractive premiums for this identity-preserved crop. Participating low lin growers can earn a 40-cents per bushel "buyers call" premium (for on-farm storage) or a 35-cents per bushel "harvest delivery" premium (with delivery directly at harvest to participating elevators offering this option).

In addition, growers can collect a 10-cents per bushel early signing bonus. Contract growers are eligible to earn up to a 10 percent rebate on approved DuPont Crop Protection products used on their 2007 Pioneer low lin soybean contract acres. For more information, contact your local Pioneer sales professional.

Pioneer is continuing to expand the line-up of low lin soybean varieties available in its high performing soybean product line. The product pipeline includes several new varieties for 2007 that can be grown across broader geographies and maturity zones. Pioneer low lin soybean varieties are offered as a part of the Pioneer IndustrySelect program, which offers customized solutions for end use markets.

According to Hobbs, the Alliance in 2007 expects to significantly increase the acreage dedicated to low lin soybeans to meet the growing customer demand.

The availability of TREUS oil in the marketplace benefits growers at the front, elevators and processors in the middle, and food processors, foodservice providers and -. ultimately -. the consumer at the end of the food chain.