- AgReliant's AgriGold brand to offer NutriDense grain hybrids
- Nutritionally enhanced corn varieties improve animal feed performance

BASF Plant Science and AgReliant Genetics, Westfield, Indiana, announced today that they have signed a license agreement allowing AgReliant Genetics to market corn hybrids with NutriDense. For now, AgReliant's focus will be on the grain market through their AgriGold brand, which specializes in corn hybrids only.

AgriGold will offer hybrids with NutriDenseb in all their marketing geography of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. We ve been observing the performance of NutriDense in our test and field experience for several years now, says Dr. Gary Schultz, Corporate Product Manager for AgReliant. Based on the improved agronomic performance and competitive yields we ve seen, we ve concluded that NutriDense fits with our company mission to enhance our customers profitability.

AgReliant Genetics, AgriGold and BASF Plant Science hold similar views of the opportunities that exist in the U.S. corn marketplace. All believe in the value of nutritionally enhanced corn hybrids that add value to animal agriculture. As The Corn Specialist. , we look for segments that can add value to our customers. NutriDenseb fits that scenario whether our customers are contracting it or feeding it, says AgriGold Specialty Products Manager Chuck Hill.

NutriDense. is a nutritionally enhanced set of traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Studies have shown performance improvements when fed to dairy cows, poultry and swine. University research and on-farm trials show milk increases of up to three (3) lbs per head per day in dairy cows. Studies with swine have shown the efficient gain and/or feed cost reduction with NutriDenseb can save pork producers up to $4 per marketed hog. Multiple studies in major broiler operations with NutriDenseb show a consistent 4 4.5% increase in metabolizable energy over conventional yellow dent corn.

These animal feed benefits have led to strong end-use demand, both domestically and internationally, solidifying contract premiums for NutriDense. grain. NutriDense. contracts offer a $0.25 per bushel premium over traditional yellow dent corn. Hybrids with NutriDenseb can also accommodate input traits.

We are excited to partner with AgReliant Genetics and AgriGold products. Their vision of offering the best seed products through superior research and breeding in North America reflects our own philosophy, affirms Barney Bernstein, Director of Trait Marketing and Sales for BASF Plant Science.

More about NutriDenseb can be found at http://www.nutridense.com.

Headquartered in Westfield, Ind., AgReliant Genetics is the fastest growing independent seed company and the 4th largest field seed company in the United States. KWS and Limagrain, the two largest independent seed companies in the world, bring over 200 years of combined seed experience to AgReliant Genetics.
Through innovation and superior genetics, AgReliant Genetics develops the high-quality seed customers depend on to deliver maximum yield in every bag. AgriGold, one of the six brands under the AgReliant Genetics umbrella, has become a leader in the seed corn industry by offering unique, high-yielding, elite genetics with sound agronomic performance packages. Named The Corn Specialistb because of their exclusive focus on corn hybrids, AgriGold is headquartered in St. Francisville, Ill., AgriGold markets to the Central Corn Belt stretching from Iowa to Ohio and Wisconsin/Michigan to Tennessee. AgriGold covers 40 million of the 80 million corn acres planted in the United States.
To find out more about AgReliant Genetics, please visit their Web site at: www.agreliantgenetics.com. To find out more about AgriGold, please visit their Web site at http://www.agrigold.com.

All BASF activities involving plant biotechnology are incorporated in BASF Plant Science. BASF Plant Science coordinates an international research and technology platform with eight sites in five countries in Europe and North America and employs about 600 staff. In addition, BASF Plant Science has established numerous complementary cooperations with research institutes, universities and biotechnology companies in Europe and North America. The research activities of BASF Plant Science are concentrated in the areas of more efficient agriculture, renewable raw material and a healthier nutrition for humans and animals. These include, for example, plants with improved agronomic characteristics, a higher content of vitamins or omega-3 fatty acids for preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as plants with a higher nutritional value for animals. Within the next three years BASF will invest $430 million in the expansion of its plant biotechnology operations.
To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please see our internet web site at www.basf.com/biotechnology .

BASF is the world s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of more than 42.7 billion (approximately $50.4 billion) in 2005.
Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

2006 BASF Plant Science L.L.C. All rights reserved. NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science L.L.C. AgriGold is a registered trademark of Limagrain Genetics Corporation. The Corn Specialist is a registered trademark of AgReliant Genetics, L.L.C.