Champaign, Illinois
August 15, 2002

Today, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., officially opens its new Champaign, Ill., Research Center. The Center is dedicated to cutting-edge research in both corn and soybeans and aims to deliver superior corn hybrids and soybean varieties for growers.

Part of a worldwide network of 120 research facilities in more than 30 countries, the Pioneer Champaign Research Center combines research programs previously based in separate locations throughout Illinois.

Goals of researchers at the Center include developing superior corn hybrids and soybean varieties by improving yield, increasing quality and reducing production risks of commercially produced seed for growers. Additionally, Center researchers develop programs used to provide end-users with product information and technical support.

"This facility is one example of Pioneer's commitment to corn and soybean growers across North America," says Tom Morgan, Ph.D., Champaign Research Center manager. "Although this Center's research is concentrated in central Illinois, we can integrate information from our research stations across the globe. Area growers benefit because, when they buy a bag of Pioneer seed, they're able to make use of the research we've done worldwide."

The Center's research programs are responsible for managing 24 outlying test site locations where approximately 150,000 plots are yield-tested and observed for various agronomic and production characteristics. Over 100,000 self-pollinations and crosses are conducted each summer at the Center
as part of the corn and soybean breeding program.

In addition to traditional breeding methods, active molecular selection techniques are also practiced at the Research Center, where approximately 70,000 marker-assisted selection (MAS) samples from soybean plants are collected each summer. Active Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) research is also conducted at the Center's grain analysis lab and involves efforts to breed for high extractable starch in corn. Production research personnel also conduct many studies each year at several testing sites to improve production characteristics for both corn and soybeans.

"It is the unique ability to conduct thorough research and effectively move products into the market place that continues to make Pioneer an industry leader," says Tom Corbin, Ph.D., Pioneer soybean research scientist. "We'll be able to pick up on key ingredients from soybean research around the globe and apply those developments in our research here."

Another feature of the Center is a series of demonstration plots showing the progress made over the years in corn research. One demonstration contains two old open-pollinated varieties planted next to one another, showing the difference between these plants and modern corn hybrids. Another area
displays a series of Pioneer corn hybrids from the 1930's to the present and shows the progression of hybrid development throughout history. A third demonstration area features the natural diversity found in the corn genome by displaying corn showing "germplasm diversity." Plants have characteristics including crooked stalk, knotted leaf, long eared shank and ragged leaves, demonstrating the range of characteristics available within the corn plant. The new Center combines corn programs that were originally based in Savoy, Ill., and soybean research efforts in St. Joseph and Le Roy, Ill. All of these programs came together at the current site with the construction of the new Champaign Research Center facility in the spring of 2001.

During today's open house, the Center will be open to growers, customers and others from the Champaign area. Open house attendees will have opportunities to talk with Pioneer experts about the research conducted at the Center and will also attend a tour of the Center's facilities.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, 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 advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. During 2002, DuPont is celebrating its 200th year of scientific achievement and innovation -- providing products and services that improve the lives of people everywhere. Based in Wilmington, Del., DuPont delivers science-based solutions for markets that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition, health care, apparel, home and construction, electronics and transportation.