Published: April 10, 2006

Herculex'R' RW, Herculex XTRA Earn Japanese Approval

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(AgPR) -Grain corn containing Herculex® RW Rootworm Protection and Herculex XTRA Insect Protection has received regulatory committee approvals for food, feed and import into Japan, according to the traits developers, Dow AgroSciences LLC and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

These actions open this important U.S. export market to grain corn containing the traits. Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA received U.S. regulatory approvals in 2005 and now are available for the 2006 growing season. Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA are available in hybrids from Mycogen Seeds, the retail seed brand of Dow AgroSciences; and Pioneer. Beck's Superior Hybrids also is offering Herculex RW for 2006 and will introduce Herculex XTRA in hybrids for the 2007 growing season.

"This is great news for corn growers," says Wally Thingelstad, traits marketing specialist at Dow AgroSciences. "Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA offer the most complete defense against damaging insects available today. Now growers have broader grain marketing options to go with these new choices in insect protection."

Herculex RW provides a high level of protection all season long against western, northern and Mexican larval corn rootworm, thereby dramatically reducing adult rootworm emergence. Herculex XTRA combines the rootworm protection of Herculex RW with the broad insect protection of Herculex I Insect Protection for additional protection against corn borers, black cutworm, western bean cutworm and other destructive pests.

"These Japanese approvals mark another step in the growing number of markets accepting grain from U.S. growers with biotech traits," says Kyle Whitaker, new technology launch marketing manager at Pioneer. "In this case, it broadens the marketplace for corn grain with products containing Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA that bring immense value to producers."

Herculex RW also has received regulatory approvals for import into Mexico, Taiwan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, plus full food, feed and cultivation approvals in Canada. And Herculex XTRA has received approvals for import into Australia and New Zealand, plus full food, feed and cultivation approvals in Canada. However, because European Union import approval is not expected in time for the 2006 harvest, Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA will be Market Choices® products. Grain containing either product must be fed on-farm, used domestically, or delivered to elevators or other markets where neither the grain nor its processed products (e.g. gluten) will be shipped to the EU. Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer also continue to seek import approvals for other important U.S. export markets.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top tier agricultural company providing innovative crop protection, seeds, and biotechnology solutions to serve the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences, with global sales of $3.4 billion, and Mycogen Seeds are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Dow Chemical Company. Mycogen markets grain corn, silage corn and nutritionally enhanced corn seed, as well as sunflower, canola, soybean, alfalfa and sorghum seed through an extensive network of dealers across the United States. Learn more about Dow AgroSciences at www.dowagro.com. For more information about Mycogen Seeds, visit www.mycogen.com.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

®Herculex is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

(TM)Mycogen is a trademark of Mycogen Corporation.

®Market Choices is a registered certification mark used under license from ASTA.

Herculex Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.