Dow AgroSciences receives CTNBio authorizations allowing Brazilian growers to farm with new insect-resistant, herbicide-tolerant technology

Sao Paulo - October 21, 2009

Brazilian growers will soon be farming with a new generation of corn enhanced with HERCULEX® I Insect Protection and Roundup Ready® herbicide tolerant technologies,  based on approvals recently received from regulatory authorities at the National Technical Committee of Biosafety (CTNBio). A stacked seed product delivering both resistance to key above-ground insect pests and also tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium herbicides, HERCULEX Roundup Ready corn has long been grown in the U.S. and Canada and is now also being planted in Argentina.

“Growers abroad are receiving excellent results from HERCULEX Roundup Ready corn seed,” said Dow AgroSciences leader for Brazil Everett Germon. “We're very exited that we can now offer this productivity-increasing technology package in our Dow AgroSciences and Agromen seed brands for our Brazilian customers.

"The built-in protection offered by the HERCULEX I insect resistance trait (TC1507) and the Roundup Ready herbicide tolerance trait (NK603)," Germon added, "allows corn to reach its true productive potential, resulting in larger crops and better quality grain. Based on trials conducted on Brazilian soil, this stacked trait technology has confirmed its efficacy and productive value for Brazilian growers and has met CTNBio's stringent regulatory requirements for safety in handling and use."

Brazilian approvals for growing corn with the HERCULEX I insect-resistance trait were received by Dow AgroSciences in December 2008. In addition to controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), HERCULEX I technology also protects crops against sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis). Together these two pests can reduce the productivity of a Brazilian corn grower by up to 40 percent. Now, with HERCULEX Roundup Ready, growers have access to the same superior level of insect protection in corn enhanced with their preferred herbicide tolerant traits.

About Dow AgroSciences LLC

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global annual sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $4.5 billion.

For Editorial Information:

Robyn Heine
Dow AgroSciences LLC
1-317-337-4807