Long-term Supply Agreement Between FMC and Dow AgroSciences

01/11/06 FMC Corporation and Dow AgroSciences LLC announce the companies have entered into a long-term supply agreement, whereby FMC will have access to cloransulam-methyl and Dow AgroSciences will have access to sulfentrazone for the commercialization of premixes involving the two active ingredients for weed control in soybeans.

Each company will launch their own brand of herbicide for the 2007 growing season, Dow AgroSciences under the Sonic brand name and FMC under the Authority First DF brand name.

"This agreement will allow both companies to provide soybean growers with better tools to control tough weeds that are becoming more prevalent in Roundup Ready soybeans, specifically weeds that are resistant or tolerant to glyphosate," explains Aaron Locker, FMC product manager.

The combination of cloransulam-methyl and sulfentrazone will give soybean producers a preplant-to-preemergence tool to control a broad spectrum of weeds ahead of post-glyphosate applications.

Weeds controlled include marestail, waterhemp, common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, common and giant ragweed, pigweed, morningglory, cocklebur, smartweed, nightshade, sunflower and kochia.

"FMC and Dow AgroSciences recognize the explosion of glyphosate tolerant and resistant weeds, and we can serve our customers best by working together to provide stronger solutions," says Nate Miller, marketing specialist, Dow AgroSciences. "With this combination of active ingredients, soybean growers can improve their weed control, reduce trips across the field and better protect their soybean yields and profitability."

The announcement of this joint agreement and the launch of the new premixes into the soybean market is indicative of the ability of FMC and Dow AgroSciences to recognize a market need and respond quickly to bring needed technology to both growers and retailers, according to Locker.