![](photos/OestreichDean.jpg)
Dean
C. Oestreich
President
Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, Inc.
USA
I believe one of the significant achievements at
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., in recent years has been
our ability to use our high-yielding germplasm as a base to
integrate a myriad of technologies that bring the greatest value
to our customers.
Pioneer’s proprietary germplasm remains the
cornerstone of our product development efforts that deliver
greater return on investment for growers. The
biotechnology traits – such as herbicide- and insect-resistance
– create more cost-efficient farming through lower herbicide
costs and enhance yield by protecting the plant against insect
pressure.
We at Pioneer have also applied
biotechnology within plant breeding through such processes as
marker assisted selection (MAS) that allows us to select for
traits faster; an example is using MAS to select for soybean
cyst nematode and brown stem rot resistance in soybeans.
We have also utilized advanced measurement tools, such as
near-infrared (NIR) instrumentation, to evaluate grain traits
for the end-use marketplace.
We believe that this – integrating our germplasm
development program with a broad array of biotechnology traits
and processes – is a significant achievement that sets us apart.
What are the key challenges for the future?
Science is advancing so fast today that we are no
longer asking what we can do. We are forced to select
directions. The challenge is figuring out what among all
the possibilities will bring the best value to customers.
As biotechnology, computer technology and measurement abilities
continue to converge, the possibilities will grow at an ever
increasing rate.
Specifically, here are some of the more
significant challenges:
-
Global political and regulatory issues will
continue to raise the bar on new product concepts.
-
Environmental concerns will challenge current production
practices.
-
Water quality and quantity issues may
substantially alter the ability of some farmers and some
nations to produce crops.
-
Energy availability and affordability is in
question. Alternative energy sources and changes in
the world’s political climate may cause more volatility in
energy costs than in the past.
-
Food safety and security issues will become
more prominent. All of us involved in agriculture will
have key roles to play in producing and safeguarding the
world’s food supply.
I believe we can turn these challenge into
opportunities. Certainly, the choices that modern
technology provides us will help us do that. We believe we
can develop products that yield more while requiring less water,
less nitrogen and fewer passes over the field, reducing our
imprint on the environment.
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.
For more information about
Pioneer
Hi-Bred International, Inc., please visit
www.pioneer.com
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