Mycogen Seeds announces the release of two new sunflower hybrids, 8D310 a superior mid-season NuSun^™ hybrid with excellent hulling properties and 8C416 a new standard-length confection hybrid.

“8D310 represents a new category for Mycogen and the industry. It has superior seed size and dehulling ability, and is a top yield performer,” says Keith Porter, marketing specialist, Mycogen Seeds.

Although better suited for hulling properties, this hybrid possesses oleic oil values in the mid- to high-70s that give it good acceptance in the NuSun crushing market. It also offers consistent performance under a wide range of environmental and soil conditions.

8C416 is well suited for “in-shell” type markets and works well as a hulling confection. It delivers improved seed size, seed color and yield. The hybrid has good late-season plant health along with good drydown characteristics.

These two additions to the Mycogen Seeds lineup of sunflower hybrids reflect the company’s growth and commitment to its leadership position in the sunflower market.

“The 8D310 has been highly sought after and has had considerable interest from processors. Quantities are allocated and will most likely sell out for the 2004 season,” Porter cautions. “8C416 quantities are available for 2004, but are limited.”

CLEARFIELD Hybrid Successful in High Plains

In 2003, Mycogen began offering the CLEARFIELD^® trait in selected hybrids, along with the CLEARFIELD Production System for sunflowers. This technology combines the company’s high-yielding sunflower hybrids with Beyond^™ herbicide and delivers broad-spectrum postemergence grass and broadleaf weed control in all tillage systems.

Yield data results showed the CLEARFIELD hybrid outperformed seven competitive hybrids by an average of 125 pounds of sunflowers produced per acre. This data was tallied from 60 locations across the Dakotas and High Plains region.

“While CLEARFIELD has proven effective in cleaner fields free of weeds, it is a more competitive product in fields with an existing weed problem,” says Porter. “The CLEARFIELD launch was successful and product performance was strong in the market this year.”

CRUISER Seed Treatment Protects Seed

Mycogen Seeds also recently released eight sunflower hybrids with CRUISER^® seed treatment. Applied by Mycogen during conditioning, CRUISER helps protect both germinating seedand young plants from damage and stand loss caused by wireworm, pale-striped flea beetle, sunflower beetle and other secondary soil pests.

Other benefits of CRUISER include:

• Better plant stands and vigor

• Convenient insect protection delivered directly on the seed,

• Protected yield potential.

“The introduction of select Mycogen hybrids with CRUISER seed treatment has been well-received,” Porter explains. “We will exceed market penetration goals and sales volume expectations, which tells us growers are pleased.”

Building on its legacy of leadership, Mycogen Seeds has developed a number of promising new sunflower hybrids, many of which are in the late stage of development. Growers can anticipate the arrival of more new sunflower hybrids with herbicide tolerance, better disease packages, and oil hybrids with multiple end-use marketing options in the near future.

Mycogen Seeds is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Mycogen Seeds is the leader in Silage-Specific^™ corn, the largest sunflower seed producer, and a leading producer of seed corn, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum.

^®™Mycogen, Silage-Specific and the Mycogen M logo are trademarks of Mycogen Corporation. 
^™CLEARFIELD and Beyond are trademarks of BASF Corporation.
^®CRUISER is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.
^™NuSun is a trademark of the National Sunflower Association.