In July, Great Lakes Hybrids took the initiative by lowering corn and soybean seed prices for 1998-99.

"We listened to what the farmers were telling us about market prices and their operations, and responded aggressively by setting our prices early," said Mike Stephenson, president of Great Lakes Hybrids. "We're proud other agricultural companies have followed the lead of Great
Lakes Hybrids and announced they also will keep input prices in check for the farmer."

"The marketplace is concerned about high input costs of seed and technology, especially after a financially challenging 1998 in most areas," said Jeff Oesterreicher, director of sales and marketing for Great Lakes Hybrids. "We're taking it one step further by reducing our prices on Bt
hybrids, Roundup Ready soybeans and conventional soybeans."

Increased technology fees for transgenic crops like Bt corn and Roundup Ready soybeans are passed along to the farmer. Although farmers see increased yield from genetically altered crops, a lack of export demand for corn and soybeans has created bumper crops for farmers this year.
Forecasts for 1999 show lower farm income in the U.S.

Great Lakes Hybrids introduced its proprietary Bt hybrids to the marketplace in December 1997, becoming one of the first six companies in the world to offer elite proprietary Bt hybrids to customers. Nearly 20 percent of its seed corn will include the Bt technology for 1999. Great Lakes Hybrids is also currently producing Roundup Ready and stacked Bt/herbicide-tolerant hybrids. These new products will be introduced in 1999.

Great Lakes Hybrids is affiliated with KWS in Germany, a seed-only company, and has research stations in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Puerto Rico. This strong, proven research program has been able to produce top performing conventional genetics for incorporation of the new transgenic traits.

For the latest information, visit http://www.glh-seeds.com .

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