Kentland, Indiana, USA
July 16, 2010

AgVenture, Inc., today announced it is expanding 2011 product line ups to include the newly approved Optimum® AcreMax™1 (AM1) insect protection system through VPMaxx® brand distributed products. The approval of the Optimum® AcreMax™1 insect protection system to Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, marks the seed industry’s first corn products with an in-the-bag solution for corn rootworm refuge management. The unique technology offers growers reduced corn rootworm refuge and a more convenient means of achieving refuge compliance.

Three years ago, AgVenture, Inc. was the first company in the country to announce its distribution agreement with Pioneer Hi-Bred to offer growers access to selected and premium germplasm. AgVenture CEO John Cassidy said, “We’re pleased to have access to Optimum AcreMax 1 in-the-bag refuge. It allows growers one more critical tool in managing every acre for maximum profitability.”

Cassidy continued, “For 27 years, AgVenture has provided growers with unique access to the best locally adapted seed genetics and technology products sourced from multiple platforms/suppliers. Our ability to offer this new technology in Optimum AcreMax 1 products is another example of our commitment to bring growers the best access to seed genetics and technologies on the market.”

Optimum AcreMax 1 insect protection helps preserve technology through built-in CRW compliance. By placing the corn rootworm refuge in the bag, AM1 products assure refuge gets placed in the right place, in the right size at the right time, to extend the durability of the Herculex family of traits.

AgVenture Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jim Groepper said, “Locally adapted genetics are key to allowing growers to advance profitability. Optimum AcreMax 1 products offer growers increased convenience, reduced refuge and an additional tool for maximizing field-by-field productivity. Growers are provided new productivity options while minimizing the risk of rootworm resistance and maximizing the sustainability of in-plant insect protection technology.

Optimum AcreMax1 products integrate 90 percent of a hybrid containing the Herculex® XTRA traits which deliver above-and below-ground insect protection and 10 percent of a hybrid from the same genetic family containing the Herculex® I trait for above-ground insect protection to serve as the corn rootworm refuge. All seed in the bag is tolerant to Roundup® and Ignite® herbicides. Multi-year research trials demonstrate that the Optimum AcreMax1 products deliver strong yield performance.

Beyond providing access to a broad range of seed genetics and technologies including VPMaxx brand products, AgVenture brings growers hybrids and varieties that best match local growing environments, soil types and management practices. Groepper added, “Through our Maximum Profit System, we’re helping growers re-tool their production practices to achieve unprecedented yields, lower cost per bushel and more profitability on every acre. It’s a fully-integrated approach that is helping growers reach new goals in yield and profitability across the country. Doing that well one field at a time is what AgVenture is all about.”

AgVenture, Inc. is the nation’s largest network of independently owned regional seed companies. Based in Kentland, Indiana, AgVenture provides this growing network of independently owned and managed seed business owners with seed products meeting exacting standards for quality, together with leading-edge genetics and technology. Since 1983, this unique marketing approach has allowed each individual company to match the hybrids it sells to the specific needs of the geographical area it serves. Combined with professional seed representation at a local level, AgVenture strives to help every grower realize more profit from every field.

® VPMaxx brand seed is distributed by AgVenture, Inc.
Optimum®, AcreMax™ and VPMaxx® are trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred.
Herculex® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex® and the HX logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
IIgnite® is a trademark of Bayer.
Roundup® is a trademark of Monsanto Company.
Optimum® AcreMax™ 1, Optimum® AcreMax™ RW, Herculex I, Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA trait products’ availability are subject to re-registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Website: http://www.agventure.com

Published: July 16, 2010