In 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.
Leaders 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. (more…)
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.” (more…)
The 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).
(more…)
The 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.
“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®.
(more…)
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, 
by 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. 
Technology 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:
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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 
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:
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Or you can download here: 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
Dow 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.
Dow 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.
The Seepark Hotel where we’re staying here in Thun is located right on the lake and it is beautiful! We’ll be out on the lake tomorrow evening for our farewell dinner and have pictures from that to show you then.
AgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.
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.
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