Category Archives: Dow AgroScience

Amazing Maize: The exhibit

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After over five years in development the Indiana State Museum opened its Amazing Maize: The Science, History and Culture of Corn Saturday.  The exhibit will run for the next 16 months at the museum located in the heart of Indianapolis.  In those 16 months, Indianapolis will play host to two National FFA Conventions AND the Super Bowl.  Talk about the potential to reach out to the consumer.

A lot of companies came together to make this exhibit possible.  The Presenting Sponsors are Dow Agrosciences, Ford Motor Company and Case IH and National Starch is the Contributing Sponsor.  Not only was the exhibit supported nationally, but on the local level as well.  Locally, the Presenting Sponsor is the Indiana Corn Marketing Council; the Contributing Sponsor is Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and the Supporting Sponsor is Brock Grain Systems.

The exhibit highlights the 10,000 year “genetic journey” that highlights the evolution of maize to our modern day corn.  Speaking of technological advancements, in one part of the exhibit they highlight the corn husking competitions that were held.  I was particularly proud – while the exhibit focused on the 1940’s, I thought about my family tree. My great-grandfather, Simon Oltman, was the Illinois Corn Husking champion in 1934.  With a total of just over 23 bushels of corn harvested he was named the “Dark Horse Husker from Woodford County”. 

If you’re ever in Indianapolis, take time to visit the Indiana State Museum and check out the Amazing Maize exhibit and take a walk through the history of a product that is a part of our everyday lives.

Jane Ade Stevens is the executive director of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and talks about why being a part of the Amazing Maize exhibit was important.  You can read more about Amazing Maize here.

Jane Ade Stevens

 

Dow AgroSciences Acquires Pfister Hybrids

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Pfister HybridsHere’s the latest change in the seed business and it’s a big one.

Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it is acquiring the majority of assets of Illinois based corn company Pfister Hybrids. The addition of Pfister Hybrids will further expand Dow AgroSciences’ current U.S. seeds business as the company anticipates the introduction of SmartStax(TM) in 2010 and Dow AgroSciences Herbicide Tolerance (DHT) technology in corn in 2012. The transactional close is expected in the near future.

“Pfister was one of the founding seed corn companies in the Midwest, and we are proud to continue the legacy started more than seven decades ago by one of the nation’s original seedsmen Lester Pfister,” said Stan Howell, vice president, North America Regional Commercial Unit for Dow AgroSciences. “Pfister Seeds is a welcomed addition to our U.S. seed business. At Dow AgroSciences investing in innovation is the key to our future, and we look forward to building upon the Pfister tradition.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Dow AgroSciences will acquire the Pfister brand and the sales and marketing areas, as well as the warehousing and administrative services of the business. Dow AgroSciences will continue to independently market seeds under the Pfister Seeds brand, and Pfister Seeds will continue to be headquartered at its existing location in El Paso.

Linda Brown, president for Pfister, will remain with Pfister Seeds LLC as general manager. Dale Brown will continue with Pfister as the business and brand development lead and Bill Salmi will remain as the company controller.

SmartStaxing Seed Traits

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Testing SmartStaxIn another co-development kind of deal, both Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences just announced that they’ve submitted their SmartStax for regulatory review. Thanks to Dow for the picture of Mark Rooney (foreground), Mycogen Seeds field biologist, and Matthew Moeller, Mycogen Seeds research technician, supervise planting of SmartStax™ test plots at the Mycogen research station near Huxley, IA. In anticipation of SmartStax being approved and commercially available in 2010, the company is conducting testing of Mycogen brand corn hybrids containing the new stacked trait combination.

From Dow:

Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it has submitted SmartStax™, a new insect-protection and weed control stacked trait combination in corn, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for regulatory review.

SmartStax is the industry’s first-ever eight gene stack combination in corn that will feature multiple modes of action to control both above and below ground insects as well as herbicide tolerance. The combination of these traits is designed to improve insect protection, expand herbicide application options and minimize the potential for insect resistance.

From Monsanto:

Monsanto Company today announced that the company has submitted documents and extensive research data for SmartStax™, a new insect-protection and weed control platform in corn, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

With the submission, SmartStax becomes the first-ever stacked product with multiple effective genes against both lepidopteran and corn rootworm pests to reach this important regulatory milestone. The product remains on track for commercial launch in 2010 pending appropriate regulatory approvals. SmartStax features multiple traits designed to control corn insect pests both above and below ground while offering farmers two choices of herbicide tolerance in one seed.

CropLife America Elects Board Members

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CropLifeLeaders from top crop science companies monitor pesticide management regulation as newly elected and re-elected board members of CropLife America. CropLife has elected its new Board of Directors.

Eric Wintemute, president and chief executive officer of American Vanguard Corporation, was elected chairman of the Board of Directors of CropLife America, the nation’s largest trade association for pesticide manufacturers, formulators, developers and distributors, at its annual meeting September 24-26 in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. Wintemute most recently served as vice chairman of the board and chair of the communications committee.

Valdemar Fischer, president of Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., William (Bill) Buckner, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP, and Mike McCarty, president and CEO of Helena Chemical Co. were elected vice chairmen, and Mike Frank, vice president of Monsanto Global Chemistry, was selected secretary/treasurer. Continue reading →

CropLife Rewards Pesticide Excellence

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CropLife The nation’s largest trade organization for agriculture pest management, CropLife, has named the recipients of its annual awards for excellence in pesticide development. The CropLife awards are meant to recognize responsible and effective use of pesticides to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply.

Fourteen recipients of 2007 CropLife America industry awards were honored in six categories for excellence in and dedication to the pesticide industry. The winners, recommended by industry professionals and chosen by CropLife America leadership, were named during the CropLife America Annual Meeting: One Vision. One Voice. Endless Possibilities on September 24-26 in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.

“The CropLife America awards honor individuals within the pesticide industry who are truly making a difference. For the first time this year, we are also recognizing state policymakers and agricultural ambassadors who are instrumental in carrying pesticide benefits messages to their communities. Their commitment to supporting the world’s finest food supply network is commendable,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America. “Without the benefits of pesticides, Americans would not be able to enjoy the world’s safest, most affordable and abundant food supply.” Continue reading →

Dow AgroSciences Earns International Recognition

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Dow AgroSciencesThe United Nations has recognized Dow AgroSciences‘ latest breakthroughs in technology with an innovation award. Dow AgroSciences is the latest recipient of the Montreal Protocol Innovators Award for its work in developing alternatives to chemicals that harm the ozone.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), has been named a winner of the United Nation’s Montreal Protocol Innovators Award at the annual Meeting of the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement designed to protect the earth’s ozone layer. The award honors the company’s innovation, investment and commitment to protect the environment through its efforts to develop alternatives to methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance being phased out under the Protocol. At this meeting, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Protocol, Dow AgroSciences was also named a winner of the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Best of the Best” Ozone Protection Award which honors an elite group of companies, organizations and individuals who have demonstrated long-term excellence in efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.

Both awards honor the company’s long-standing commitment to providing critical alternatives to methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance used for pre-plant, post-harvest and structural fumigation uses. Dow AgroSciences products containing the active ingredients 1,3-dichloropropene and sulfuryl fluoride have been widely adopted on a global scale to coincide with the scheduled phase-out of methyl bromide.

“I am delighted that Indianapolis, Indiana-based Dow AgroSciences has been recognized for their continued leadership in developing technical and economically feasible alternatives to methyl bromide in accordance with this important international treaty,” stated Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN).
 Continue reading →

Competing Crop Solution Companies Monsanto and Dow Launch Joint SmartStax Innovation

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Dow AgroSciencesThe competition in crop protection is getting rather friendly. Two of the largest suppliers of technology-based agricultural solutions in the U.S., Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences, are teaming up in the unprecedented release of an eight-gene stacked corn combination. See the Zimfo Bites Melissa posted for media event information.

Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, have reached a cross-licensing agreement aimed at launching SmartStax™, the industry’s first-ever eight-gene stacked combination in corn. The agreement is expected to create a new competitive standard for stacked-trait offerings and present an expanded growth opportunity for both companies’ seed brands and traits businesses by the end of the decade.

Monsanto“By bringing together the two companies that have developed and commercialized the trait technologies widely used in agriculture today, we can provide farmers an ‘all-in-one’ answer to demands for comprehensive yield protection from weed and insect threats,” said Carl Casale, executive vice president of strategy and operations for Monsanto. “Farmers will have more product choices to optimize performance and protection, and that translates into a higher-yielding opportunity and a new growth proposition for their businesses and ours.”

“The combination of these trait technologies signals the start of the next generation of products with improved plant protection and yield increases for the farmer,” said Jerome Peribere, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. “These combinations provide tremendous value to the grower while better protecting the technology-bearing crops from insect and weed resistance.”

Multi-Gene Product Set to Expand Business Opportunities for Both Companies

Under the agreement, the companies will create a novel seed offering that combines eight different herbicide tolerance and insect-protection genes into top-performing hybrids for the most complete control ever available. The product will include the companies’ respective above- and below-ground insect protection systems, including Dow AgroSciences’ Herculex® I and Herculex RW technologies; Monsanto’s YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2™ and YieldGard VT PRO™ technologies; and the two established weed control systems, Roundup Ready® and Liberty Link®.
 Continue reading →

Tour de Dow

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Ben Kaehler with Dow AgroSciences Dow AgroSciences says it’s planning for the future of biotechnology. But, the company is quick to point out a host of innovative technologies available now for improving crop yields. Dow AgroSciences says its Herculex family of traits offers the broadest protection when comes to safeguarding crops against most insects, both above ground and below ground, in corn. Representatives add that its 2,4-D trait offers a robust performance and excellent tolerance. Traits & Germplasm Licensing Leader Ben Kaehler says the plan is to bring out what the company feels will provide the best insect protection, Dow AgroSciences Demoby having Herculex Extra, with the best opportunity to control weeds with a herbicide tolerant trait to give growers the best opportunity to have maximum yields, clean fields and make a lot of money using Dow AgroSciences products and traits.

Representatives point out that weed resistance is a growing issue with three glycocene resistant weeds in Missouri and a projection of two officially-declared resistant weeds in Illinois by the end of the year. But, Dow AgroSciences says its new brand platform Technology for Traits, which includes SureStart, Sonic, and Durango DMA have all been designed and will be positioned for RoundUp Ready crops primarily RoundUp Ready corn and soybeans. Dow AgroSciences DemoTechnology for Traits is built upon a system meant to maintain glycocen as a management tool for a long time because farmers value it for its simplicity, economic costs and effectiveness. Dow AgroSciences says it wants to help farmers maximize their yield.

The Herculex family of traits and the Technology for Traits are just some of what Dow AgroSciences is demonstrating to farmers. Ben briefly explained the various product demonstrations on display at the 2007 Farm Progress Show.

Listen to Ben Kaehler here:

Listen to

Or you can download here:Listen to MP3 Dow AgroSciences 2007 Farm Progress Show Press Conference (3:00 min mp3)

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dow Agrosciences Says No More Limitations for 2,4-D

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Dow AgroSciences Global Corn Business Leader Tom Wiltrout Dow AgroSciences hasn’t set up camp at the Farm Progress Show in ten years. But, this year, the company says it has some exciting new technology to present and couldn’t skip out on offering farmers in Progress City a first-hand look. Dow AgroSciences Global Corn Business Leader Tom Wiltrout kicked off a press conference introducing the company’s Herbicide Tolerant Traits technology, which has been under development for 2 to 3 years. Tom says the the traits have already been introduced in corn. He adds that Dow AgroSciences has also overcome limitations for the 2,4-D herbicide, allowing farmers to capitalize on what he calls the most affordable Broadleaf Weed control you can get.

Listen to Tom Wiltrout here:

Listen to

Or you can download here:Listen to MP3 Dow AgroSciences 2007 Farm Progress Show Press Conference (14:00 min mp3)

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dow, Hexima Team Up To Improve Cotton

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Dow AgrosciencesDow AgrogSciences and the Australian company Hexima Limited are teaming up to research ways to offer cotton growers a greater command over their crop. The joint effort wants to improve technology in the cotton industry in as little as two years.

Osborn & BarrDow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, is collaborating with Hexima Limited to test cotton plants using Dow AgroSciences proprietary genetic constructs. The agreement involves the completion of a series of milestones over the next 18-24 months, resulting in the delivery of viable transformed cotton seeds to Dow AgroSciences to provide better solutions and more options to cotton growers.

“This collaboration represents Dow AgroSciences’ commitment to provide differentiated solutions to customers globally through unique technology and capabilities,” Daniel R. Kittle, PhD, Vice President, R&D, for Dow AgroSciences.

“Hexima is pleased to be expanding our relationship with one of the world’s leading agriculture companies,” Dan O’Brien, CEO, Hexima Limited.

Dow AgroSciences currently produces PhytoGen™ brand cotton seed and is marketing WideStrike™ Insect Protection for the U.S. cotton market.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Dow AgroScience Recommends Triazoles For Rust

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There’s a lot of good information flowing on the soybean rust situation and what growers can do about it. I doubt there’s any country in the world that has as good a support system as America’s farmers and ranchers.

For example, see the latest news from Dow AgroScience with the following Talking News Release.

Triazoles Great Fit for First Application Against Asian Soybean Rust

INDIANAPOLIS, March 1, 2005 – Producers are sorting through volumes of information about Asian soybean rust as they consider management decisions for what soybean rust fungicide to apply – and when, if needed.

While the amount of information available is substantial, the list of fungicide classes comes as a simple trio: triazoles, strobilurins and nitriles. The strobilurins and nitriles provide preventive control only, while the triazoles offer both preventive and curative activity. Bob Gordon, fungicide marketing specialist for Dow AgroSciences, says products should be applied with activity in mind.

You can download the full release here: Dow AgroScience Triazoles

For more information contact Darrell Bruggink.