Advanced Technologies Key to Meeting Increased Demand for Grain

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Speaking at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Outlook Forum, DuPont Vice President and General Manager and Pioneer Hi-Bred President Paul Schickler said advanced technologies will be key for further corn and soybean yield improvement over the next 10 years.

"It is an incredible time for the agricultural economy as demand for food, feed, fuel and materials -- all of which can be produced through agriculture - - have increased," Schickler said. "We expect the traits and technologies in our product pipeline to help meet that demand by doubling the rate of genetic gain -- targeting a 40 percent yield increase in our corn and soybean products over the next 10 years."

Schickler explained that the corn yield increase will come from a convergence of elite germplasm, proprietary Accelerated Yield Technology(TM) (AYT(TM)), the new Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) insect control system and key agronomic traits such as drought tolerance and nitrogen use efficiency.

Schickler said the soybean yield increase will come from technologies including AYT(TM), the Optimum(R) GAT(R) herbicide tolerance trait, and biotech yield traits built on superior soybean base genetics.

The USDA has hosted its Agricultural Outlook Forum since 1923 to provide farmers and ranchers, government and agribusiness with sound information for decision-making. The Forum focuses on a broad range of topical issues related to energy, production, technology, consumers, farm policy and rural America.

Schickler's presentation is available in the DuPont Investor Center at http://www.dupont.com and at http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/2008Speeches/PDFPPT/Schickler.pdf.

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 NYSE: DD 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.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), and Accelerated Yield Technology(TM) (AYT(TM)), Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) and GAT(R) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.