Des Moines, Iowa
July 17, 2008
DuPont today announced that it has received United States
regulatory approval of its proprietary herbicide tolerance
trait, the Optimum® GAT® trait in soybeans -- bringing the
company a step closer to further extending the performance
advantage of its Pioneer®
brand soybean seed.
"This milestone brings an innovative technology closer to
farmers' fields," said James C. Borel, DuPont group vice
president. "The Optimum® GAT® trait combined with our
industry-leading genetics and other complementary technologies,
will help soybean farmers maximize yields and give them a new
level of weed control flexibility. The U.S. regulatory approval
of the Optimum® GAT® trait in soybeans is key to DuPont efforts
to increase soybean yields by 40 percent over the next 10
years."
DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred recently launched its new
high-yielding Y Series soybean varieties for 2009. The entire
line has demonstrated a five percent yield advantage against key
competitor varieties with some varieties yielding six to ten
percent better than competitors. These top-performing new
varieties were developed with exclusive Accelerated Yield
Technology (AYT™) and will serve as a strong platform for the
Optimum® GAT® trait.
Pioneer® brand soybeans have been the brand leader since 1989
and have gained six points of market share over the last eight
years. Pioneer will grow its soybean market share in 2008 and
expects that new technologies like the Y Series and the Optimum®
GAT® trait will keep its share growing into the future.
The first-ever agricultural trait developed through proprietary
DuPont gene shuffling technology, the Optimum® GAT® trait will
provide broader spectrum weed control without compromising crop
safety. This includes the ability to incorporate complementary
ALS herbicides into a glyphosate program, including the new
DuPont™ Freestyle™, Traverse™, Instigate™ and Diligent™
herbicides that DuPont Crop Protection has developed and is
demonstrating in test plots this year (1).
With these new herbicide options, growers will have tools to
help manage tough to control weeds, including the growing list
of glyphosate resistant weeds, in addition to maximizing yield
potential. DuPont is planning demonstration plots in 2009 and
2010 and will introduce commercial soybean varieties with the
Optimum® GAT® trait in 2011.
DuPont continues to pursue regulatory approvals in key export
markets around the world for both Optimum® GAT® soybeans and
corn. Pending regulatory approvals, the company is planning to
introduce its proprietary Optimum® GAT® trait in corn in 2010.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, 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
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™,
Pioneer®, Accelerated Yield Technology™ and Optimum® GAT® are
registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
(1) DuPont™ Freestyle™, Traverse™, Instigate™ and Diligent™
herbicides are not registered for sale for use in the United
States. No offer for sale, sale, or use of these products is
permitted. |
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