Intellicoat polymer allows farmers to expand planting
window to maximize yields
Landec Ag, Inc.,
headquartered in Monticello, Ind., announced today it has
received the 2003 finOvation Award from Farm Industry News, a
leading national agribusiness publication. Out of the hundreds
of products described in Farm Industry News, Intellicoat Early
Plant Corn seed coating was one of 21 intriguing products that
most captured the interest of farmers during 2002. A
presentation of the award will take place at the 38th Farm
Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky in February.
The Intellicoat Early Plant seed coating controls seed
germination in cold, early spring soil by restricting water into
the seed until the soil is warm enough for healthy seedling
growth. Early Plant Corn protects seed in cold soils and
allowsfarmers to plant from a few days to as many as four weeks
earlier than normal. "Farmers quickly understand the value of
getting in the fields early," says Bill Gass, Landec Ag’s vice
presidentof marketing and new business development. "Since our
launch of Early Plant in July, interest in the product has
beenmuch stronger than expected," adds Gass.
Results from an independent market research study conducted
by Ag Web last year showed strong farmer interest in the
product. Seventy-two percent of farmers surveyed in the study
were interested in trying the Early Plant corn on at least 20%
of their acres. Key benefits anticipated by farmers were
avoiding late planting and spreading their workload by getting a
jump on the season. The study also showed that a majority of
farmers agreed that by getting more of their corn planted at the
right time, Early Plant corn could provide them with higher
yields.
The new coating is currently available on 20 hybrids sold
under LandecAg’s Fielder’s Choice Direct® brand at an estimated
cost of $11.00 per acre. Intellicoat will soon be available on
other branded seed, according to Gass.
Landec Ag’s Fielder’s Choice Direct is the nation’s leader in
direct marketing to the farmerand ninth largest seed corn
company in the United States. Fielder’s Choice has offered the
Intellicoat technology for two years on a trial basis and
announced commercial launch in July of 2002.
Headquartered in Monticello, Landec Ag has production
facilities in West Lebanon, Ind., and recently transferred its
research and development function from Menlo, Calif. to Oxford,
Ind. Landec Ag, a subsidiary of
Landec Corporation (Nasdaq: LNDC), employs seventy-one
people.
Intellicoat, Intelimer, Early Plant, Harvestar, Relay Crop,
Pollinator Plus and Fielder’s Choice Direct are registered
trademarks of Landec Ag/Landec Corp.