Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina
April 16, 2007
BASF Plant Science, the leading provider of nutritionally
enhanced corn, is expanding its breeding and testing operations
to include three new facilities. BASF Plant Science now has
seven stations focused on developing elite nutritionally
enhanced corn genetics.
We continue to look for ways to help producers increase their
profitability per acre, says Barney Bernstein, Director, Trait
Marketing & Sales at BASF Plant Science. Our goal is to continue
developing new hybrids that increase the feed value of corn for
swine, poultry and dairy operations. The recent additions to our
breeding and testing facilities demonstrate our continued
commitment to improving profitability for dairy, swine and
poultry producers.
An existing facility in Estherville, Iowa was purchased for
growing yield trials. The facility has a full-time staff of
four. In addition, as many as 30 seasonal employees also will be
hired with plans to add additional staff in the coming year.
Another existing facility to be used for yield trials and
breeding was purchased in Weldon, Illinois. They currently have
four full-time employees, including one new breeder, and will
hire part-time seasonal employees as necessary.
The Hawaii facility, on the island of Kauai, is used as a
continuous nursery. Corn harvested in the Midwest will be
shipped to this location for planting in November. Once
harvested the seed will be returned to the Midwest for spring
planting. This will speed up development time by allowing BASF
Plant Science to grow two or more generations of a crop in one
year.
Our corn research focuses on improving the nutritional qualities
of maize as feed for poultry, swine and dairy cattle, says Dr.
Lee Stromberg, Manager, Seed Activities, for BASF Plant Science.
We measure the starch, oil, protein and amino acid levels as
well as agronomic traits in our corn hybrids in order to
optimize the balance for different animal species.
Corn hybrids developed by BASF Plant Science are currently
marketed as NutriDense., a nutritionally enhanced corn that
contains a stacked set of output traits designed to enhance
animal feed performance. Seed companies throughout the Midwest
market the product through licensing agreements.
NutriDense. silage hybrids can increase silage tonnage, milk
production and per acre profitability for dairy producers.
NutriDense. silage hybrids can deliver high yields and increase
milk production by up to 2.9 lbs./head/day.
For swine producers, hybrids containing NutriDense. can improve
profits by up to $4 per marketed hog by reducing feed costs
and/or improving feed efficiency. NutriDense. is also higher in
protein and all essential amino acids than many conventional
corn hybrids.
About BASF Plant Science
All BASF activities involving plant biotechnology are
incorporated in BASF Plant Science. BASF Plant Science
coordinates an international research and technology platform
with eight sites in five countries in Europe and North America
and employs about 700 people. In addition, BASF Plant Science
has established numerous complementary co-operations with
research institutes, universities and biotechnology companies in
Europe and North America. The research activities of BASF Plant
Science are concentrated in the areas of more efficient
agriculture, renewable raw material and a healthier nutrition
for humans and animals. These include, for example, plants with
improved agronomic characteristics, a higher content of vitamins
or omega-3 fatty acids for preventing cardiovascular diseases,
as well as plants with a higher nutritional value for animals.
Between 2006 and 2008 BASF is investing $430 million (U.S.) in
the expansion of its plant biotechnology operations.
To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please see our
Internet website at:
http://www.basf.com/biotechnology.
More about NutriDense. can be found at
http://www.nutridense.com.
BASF is the world s leading chemical company: The Chemical
Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics,
performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals
to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually
all industries, BASF s high-value products and intelligent
system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF
develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges
of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It
combines economic success with environmental protection and
social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future.
BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of 52.6 billion
(approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on
BASF is available on the Internet at
www.basf.com.
NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science
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