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.