Scott, Mississippi
January 3, 2001

Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE: DLP), a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, today announced results for the first quarter ended November 30, 2000. Due to the seasonal nature of the seed business, DLP typically incurs losses in its first and fourth fiscal quarters. 

The Company reported a net loss of $0.13 per share for the first quarter ended November 30, 2000, compared to a net loss of $0.16 per share before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and before special and unusual charges, posted in the same period in the prior year. Revenues were $9,694,000 compared to $4,549,000 recorded in the same period last year. Average shares outstanding during the first quarter of 2001 were 38,386,000 compared to 38,662,000 for the same period last year. 

The increase in revenues and the reduction in net loss is primarily the result of higher international sales recorded by the Company's joint ventures and interest income earned on excess cash. 

The Company also announced that it increased its quarterly dividend to $0.04 per share (a 33% increase) effective with the second quarter dividend to be paid on March 12, 2001 to the shareholders of record on February 28, 2001. 

Delta and Pine Land Company is a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed. Headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, with multiple offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries, DLP also breeds, produces and markets soybean planting seed in the U.S. where it sells cotton seed. For more information, please refer to the Company's Web site at http://www.deltaandpine.com.  

Company news release
N3224