DuPont Pioneer received EPA Registration for ‘In-the-Bag’ Seed Product

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently granted the historic commercial registration of Optimum® AcreMax™ 1 insect protection for Pioneer® brand corn hybrids.  This marks the EPA’s first approval of an in-the-bag solution for insect refuge management, offering reduced corn rootworm refuge and a more convenient path to refuge compliance for growers.

"This decision is not only a regulatory milestone, but also great news for corn growers,” said Paul Schickler, president -- Pioneer Hi-Bred.  "Optimum® AcreMax™ 1 products will offer growers increased convenience, reduced refuge and an additional tool for maximizing field-by-field productivity.  We are demonstrating the product in farmers’ fields this year to show its value and support the 2011 ramp up.”

To help deter corn pests from developing resistance to biotech traits, the U.S. EPA requires growers to plant some corn without a specific insect protection trait to serve as a “refuge.”  The process of planning and planting a traditional separate insect refuge is time consuming, and refuge corn is at risk for damage and yield loss.  Optimum® AcreMax™ 1 insect protection reduces the traditional 20% corn rootworm refuge by half and puts it in the seed bag, eliminating the need for separate rootworm refuge while increasing the ease and flexibility of planting the corn borer refuge.

Optimum® AcreMax™ 1 products integrate 90% of a trusted Pioneer® brand hybrid containing the Herculex® XTRA traits which deliver above- and below-ground biotech insect protection and 10% of a hybrid from the same genetic family containing the Herculex® I trait for above-ground insect protection and to serve as the corn rootworm refuge.  All seed in the bag is herbicide tolerant.

"Our focus is on improving customer productivity using our ‘right product, right acre’ approach of local customer support and product innovation,” Paul said.  “Customers told us what they needed, and we responded with an innovative solution that works better for growers.  Pioneer is committed to providing growers more choices in products and systems that maximize their productivity.”