An increasing number of growers have more options this year to earn premiums for their soybeans. Selected elevators throughout the Midwest will participate in a premium-based program for growing low linolenic soybeans from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., during the 2005-06 season.

States with participating elevators include Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.

These participating elevators will offer up to a 40-cent premium per bushel on low lin soybeans as part of the Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance.

In conjunction with the premium program, the Alliance is marketing NUTRIUMTM Low Linolenic Soybean Oil to food companies to help meet increasing consumer demand for nutritious foods. Pioneer and Bunge are working with growers and local elevators to contract special low lin varieties used to produce NUTRIUM oil.

Growers who sign up to deliver Pioneer low lin soybeans to participating elevators earn attractive premiums for this identity-preserved crop. Upon soybean harvest, participating low lin growers will earn a 40-cent per bushel "buyers call" premium (for on-farm storage) or a 35-cent per bushel "harvest delivery" premium (with delivery directly to participating elevators offering this option at harvest).

Low linolenic soybean products offered for 2006 planting are Pioneer® brand varieties 93M01, 93M20 and 92M73. All varieties are available for contracted acres only. 93M01 is the new, early Group III low lin variety with the Roundup Ready1 gene and features multi-race Phytophthora resistance; it also shows good tolerance to sudden death syndrome. 93M20 is the early Group III low lin variety that features the Roundup Ready® gene; it is noted for very good field emergence and harvest standability. 92M73 is the new, mid-late Group II variety, also with the Roundup Ready trait, and is suitable for early planting, poorly draining soils and reduced tillage situations.

"Soybean growers who participate in our low linolenic program not only are helping meet the increasing consumer demand for foods with improved nutritional profiles, they also are positioning U.S. growers as leaders and innovators in the global marketplace," says Troy Hobbs, Alliance business manager.

According to Hobbs, the Alliance expects to contract more than 200,000 acres of low lin soybeans for the 2006 planting season in parts of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri - and substantially more acres across additional Midwest states in the coming years.

The availability of NUTRIUM oil in the marketplace benefits growers at the front, elevators and processors in the middle, and food processors, foodservice providers and - ultimately - the consumer at the end of the food chain.

"The low lin product is appealing to many audiences," says Steve Schnebly, Pioneer soybean research scientist. The premiums offer extra income potential for growers, and the NUTRIUM oil helps reduce trans fats in foods for consumers."

Additionally, Pioneer low linolenic soybean varieties yield on par with other Pioneer varieties.

"New low linolenic soybean varieties contain the latest in Pioneer soybean genetics," Schnebly confirms. "Combined with the special low lin premiums offered at participating elevators, growers have the opportunity to gain an edge on their bottom lines."

For more information on linolenic soybean varieties and participating elevators in your area, visit your local Pioneer sales professional. Or, visit one of the regional low lin soybeans Web sites from Pioneer:
-  Southwestern Iowa: http://www.pioneer.com/llsoy/elevators/iowa.htm
-  Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois: http://www.pioneer.com/llsoy/elevators/ia_il.htm
-  Indiana/Michigan/Ohio: http://www.pioneer.com/llsoy/elevators/michigan.htm

Bunge Limited is an integrated, global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. Founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., Bunge has 25,000 employees and locations in 32 countries. Bunge is the world's leading oilseed processor, the largest producer and supplier of fertilizers to farmers in South America and the world's leading seller of bottled vegetable oils to consumers.

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 access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

Pioneer® and NUTRIUMTM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. DuPontTM is a trademark of DuPont or its affiliates. Bunge® is a registered trademark of Bunge Limited or its affiliates.

Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company