Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
March 20, 2014

DuPont Pioneer received a combined total grant of $1 million from two Alberta innovation support organizations for the development of shorter season corn hybrids and expansion of corn cultivation in Alberta. Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions (AI-Bio) and the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund Ltd. (ACIDF) will each invest $500,000 over a five-year period. AI-Bio and ACIDF Ltd. strive to fund investments that will deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to farmers across Alberta.

"We are pleased to receive this grant today, as it signifies the value of early maturity corn hybrids for Western Canada," said Greg Stokke, DuPont Pioneer Western Canada Business director. This investment, along with the many Pioneer investments in research and development for Canada, will help serve growers' evolving needs. Corn and soybeans are valuable rotational crops that could become widely established in western Canada over the next decade, further increasing grower productivity and profitability.".

"Supporting research that can adapt new crops to Alberta's growing conditions is one of our priorities," says Dr Stan Blade, CEO of Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions. "Dupont Pioneer's new corn hybrid research program will offer producers another profitable crop choice in areas where the growing season is short and the climate is cool. Grain corn can be a valuable addition to Alberta's livestock feed options."

"It is important that we continue to invest in the future of agriculture and we are pleased to be of assistance to a project that will open new doors for our growers in Alberta," said Doug Walkey, Executive Director for ACIDF Ltd.

DuPont Pioneer is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success®.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

Alberta Crop Industry Development Ltd. (ACIDF) is an independent, not-for-profit company operated under the direction of 15 crop industry organizations. The company funds and supports research and development, activities of vital interest to growers, processors and buyers of Alberta crops. From variety development to bioindustrial applications to breakthrough technologies and much more, work funded by ACIDF today helps make Alberta crops more competitive tomorrow. For more information on ACIDF, visit www.acidf.ca.

Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions is a research agency funded by the Government of Alberta. We invest in science and innovation to grow prosperity in Alberta's agriculture, food and forest sectors through new technologies, products, services or industry practices. We routinely seek R&D partners in the areas of sustainable production, bioeconomy, food innovation, prion diseases and ecosystem services. Visit www.bio.albertainnovates.ca.

Website: http://www.pioneer.com

Published: March 20, 2014