Web-based Service Links Growers with End Users to Market Quality Grain

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2008 - DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred today introduced MarketPoint^SM resource, a new online market service that links corn growers with end users to provide producers with enhanced profit opportunities, greater product differentiation and more convenience. It offers end users such as ethanol plants and livestock feeders the opportunity to source better quality grain.

"Pioneer MarketPoint^SM resource is a powerful tool that brings together producers of high-quality grain with those who need it to make their business run more effectively," said Joe Foresman, Pioneer senior marketing manager. "There has never been a tool like this that brings these two groups together so easily."

Available on the Pioneer GrowingPoint® website, the MarketPoint^SM resource allows growers to post their high-quality grain for sale to local buyers who make competitive bids based upon quality and quantity information posted to the site. In turn, end users will be able to source this higher value grain to help maximize efficiency, whether it is in their ethanol plants or feedlot operations.

A pilot program has been initiated for growers and ethanol plants in select areas of Nebraska. Pending the success of this program, Pioneer will expand the MarketPoint^SM resource to other areas.

"The industry has learned that grain from select Pioneer® brand hybrids has quality traits for the end user, whether it is higher ethanol yields from high total fermentable (HTF) products or highly available energy (HAE) products for the monogastric livestock industry," Foresman said. "The challenge for end users has been to selectively source this grain. Until now, they've had to rely on sourcing commodity corn. Now, through the MarketPoint^SM resource, these buyers can purchase a higher grade of corn directly from the producer."

The advantage for growers is that they can post bushels to multiple buyers and receive incoming active private bids for their corn from buyers. Producers will be able to do this while telling buyers as much as they can about the high quality of the grain.

Growers can also differentiate their product offering on the MarketPoint^SM resource by citing the grain's characteristics. Producers can differentiate themselves and increase their profit opportunity by earning the Pioneer "Grain Quality Certification," the result of a special training program showing these growers apply the best practices in grain management to preserve quality.

The MarketPoint^SM resource offers convenience to participating growers by allowing them access to reports that summarize their grain sales for the year. Growers in the program will also receive cell phone text-message alerts on commodity prices, daily basis range and bid acceptance.

"The MarketPoint^SM resource is built on the principle of growers differentiating their product of quality corn and putting it in front of as many buyers as possible," Foresman said. "Buyers compete to determine the ultimate price growers receive.

"This idea was generated by talking to farmers and end users about this marketplace," he said. "Farmers told us they would like to keep their autonomy, produce quality grain for the marketplace and earn higher prices for corn in this competitive market. End users want to source large quantities of quality corn. This meets the needs of both parties and improves pricing transparency between both."

Pioneer is partnering with Farms Technology, L.L.C., of Overland Park, Kan., in delivering the user-friendly electronic platform to execute the transactions. Farms Technology has been the leader in providing useful electronic tools for the commodity supply chain since 2001.

"Today's commodity prices are ever changing and highly localized," said Jason Tatge, CEO of Farms Technology. "This tool gives farmers the ability to put their products up for sale either on the farm or to local delivered markets and creates more competition among buyers who may need that product."

The MarketPoint^SM resource will allow growers to trade grain from corn hybrid products other than Pioneer. However, the website will post quality characteristics based on genetics, such as ethanol yield potential and digestible energy, only on Pioneer products.

Growers can create an account on the Pioneer GrowingPoint® website to participate in the MarketPoint^SM resource. They do not need to be a Pioneer customer.

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 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.

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