Des Moines, Iowa
February 20, 2008
DuPont (NYSE: DD) business
Pioneer Hi-Bred today introduced MarketPoint(SM) resource, a
new online market service that links corn growers with end users
to provide producers with enhanced profit opportunities, greater
product differentiation and more convenience. It offers end
users, such as ethanol plants and livestock feeders, the
opportunity to source better quality grain.
"Pioneer MarketPoint(SM) resource is a powerful tool that brings
together producers of high-quality grain with those who need it
to make their business run more effectively," said Paul
Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and
general manager. "There has never been a tool like this that
brings these two groups together so easily."
Available on the Pioneer GrowingPoint® website, the
MarketPoint(SM) resource allows growers to post their
high-quality grain for sale to local buyers who make competitive
bids based upon quality and quantity information
posted to the site. In turn, end users will be able to source
this higher value grain to help maximize efficiency, whether it
is in their ethanol plants or feedlot operations.
A pilot program has been initiated for growers and ethanol
plants in select areas of Nebraska. Pending the success of this
program, Pioneer will expand the MarketPoint(SM) resource to
other areas.
"The industry has learned that grain from select Pioneer® brand
hybrids has quality traits for the end user, whether it is
higher ethanol yields from high total fermentable (HTF) products
or highly available energy (HAE) grain for the monogastric
livestock industry," Schickler said. "The challenge for end
users has been to selectively source this grain. Until now,
they've had to rely on sourcing commodity corn. Now, through the
MarketPoint(SM)
resource, these buyers can purchase a higher grade of corn
directly from the producer."
The advantage for growers is that they can post bushels to
multiple buyers and receive incoming active private bids for
their corn from buyers. Producers will be able to do this while
telling buyers as much as they can about the high quality of the
grain.
Growers can also differentiate their product offering on the
MarketPoint(SM) resource by citing the grain's characteristics.
Producers can differentiate themselves and increase their profit
opportunity by earning the
Pioneer "Grain Quality Certification," the result of a special
training program showing these growers apply the best practices
in grain management to preserve quality.
The MarketPoint(SM) resource offers convenience to participating
growers by allowing them access to reports that summarize their
grain sales for the year. Growers in the program will also
receive cell phone text-message alerts
on commodity prices, daily basis range and bid acceptance.
"The MarketPoint(SM) resource is built on the principle of
growers differentiating their product of quality corn and
putting it in front of as many buyers as possible," Schickler
said. "Buyers compete to determine the ultimate price growers
receive.
"This idea was generated by talking to our customers about this
marketplace," he said. "Farmers told us they would like to keep
their autonomy, produce quality grain for the marketplace and
earn higher prices for corn in this competitive market. End
users want to source large quantities of quality corn. This
meets the needs of both parties and improves pricing
transparency between both."
Pioneer is partnering with
Farms Technology, L.L.C., of Overland Park, Kansas, in
delivering the user-friendly electronic platform to execute the
transactions. Farms Technology has been the leader in providing
useful
electronic tools for the commodity supply chain since 2001.
"Today's commodity prices are ever changing and highly
localized," said Jason Tatge, CEO of Farms Technology. "This
tool gives farmers the ability to put their products up for sale
either on the farm or to local delivered
markets and creates more competition among buyers who may need
that product."
The MarketPoint(SM) resource will allow growers to trade grain
from corn hybrid products other than Pioneer. However, the
website will post quality characteristics based on genetics,
such as ethanol yield potential and
digestible energy, only on Pioneer products.
Growers can create an account on the Pioneer GrowingPoint®
website to participate in the MarketPoint(SM) resource. They do
not need to be a Pioneer customer.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, 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 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 and food; building and construction; communications;
and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM),
and MarketPoint(SM), GrowingPoint(R) and Pioneer(R) are
registered trademarks, trademarks or service marks of DuPont or
its affiliates.
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