Federal environmental regulators have approved new corn seeds from the DuPont Co. that ward off pests, while eliminating the need for farmers to separately plant a "refuge" crop, the company said.
DuPont sells genetically modified corn seeds though its Iowa-based agricultural subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred. The seeds are engineered to increase crop yields by warding off insects, for example, or offering tolerance to drought conditions. Agriculture, including seeds and crop protection products, accounts for about a third of DuPont's sales.
DuPont's new seeds, which will be sold under the Optimum AcreMax brand, will add above- and below-ground pesticides to the company's "refuge-in-a-bag" product.
Farmers are required to plant a "refuge" crop that doesn't include pesticide traits so that insects will not develop a resistance to the biotech crops. DuPont's seed bags include the refuge crop; typically, farmers would have to plant two separate crops, even in separate fields.
DuPont will launch the new products for the 2012 planting season, including an above-ground-only pesticide that is unique to the industry. Another product will combine above- and below-ground pesticides with "refuge" seeds.
Farmers planted DuPont's first refuge product, which offered only below-ground protection, on 4 million acres in 2011.
Bill Belzer, Pioneer's senior marketing manager for U.S. corn, said the new products will be priced at a premium to DuPont's current lineup.
"These do provide additional value to growers," Belzer said. "We're excited to be able to give growers choice and deliver them options to simplify their refuge and maximize their yields."
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