DuPont Executive Vice President James C. Collins discussed priorities for the company’s agriculture business segment Wednesday at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2017 Global Agriculture and Chemicals Conference, including plans to deliver new genetics, biotech traits and crop protection products.
“As demand for grain and other food products continues to increase, the most urgent challenge for growers is to improve crop productivity on every acre,” Collins said. “As a result of our ongoing strategic investments in agriculture research, DuPont has the tools to help growers produce more crops on each acre, which drives value for our customers and our shareholders.
DuPont has continued to highlight its agricultural business as European regulators study the merger with Dow. If approved, the combined companies would spin-off into three separate businesses, with the flagship unit between DuPont and Dow’s agricultural operations.
The business remains depressed, due to low crop prices and problems in key markets like Brazil.
Collins said. “In 2017, we are focused on achieving our financial commitments, and driving rapid and successful technology launches.”
Collins presented an update of the agriculture research pipeline for DuPont, including a 2017 limited commercial introduction of Pioneer brand Qrome products1. He also highlighted launches of Pioneer brand A-Series soybeans and DuPont Vessarya disease control, as well as regional expansions of Pioneer brand hybrids with Leptra insect protection and DuPont Zorvec fungicide.
“Our new corn hybrids and soybean varieties are delivering outstanding performance, demonstrating the benefits of the focused investments we have made in recent years,” said Collins. “We have created one of the most extensive germplasm libraries in the world and continue to advance our expertise by encompassing marker-assisted selection, trait integration, and the latest in targeted breeding techniques.”
In multi-year testing, Qrome products consistently delivered 4-7 bushels per acre yield improvement over legacy technologies, the presentation noted.
In Brazil, Leptra insect protection offers broad-spectrum above-ground insect control. The initial launch of Leptra insect protection in the 2016/2017 Brazil summer season was one of the fastest technology ramp ups in Pioneer history; Pioneer will continue its expansion of Leptra by launching the product in Argentina this year.
Collins said he expects Pioneer to continue as a market leader in soybeans with the launch of the new A-Series soybeans. In 2016 on-farm Pioneer trials, A-Series varieties produced an average yield advantage of 2.3 bushels an acre against 10,000 comparisons of competitors at 400 locations.
Collins discussed DuPont Zorvec disease control for growers of potatoes, grapes and vegetables. First sales of Zorvec disease control products were in 2016, and are now sold in more than 10 countries, including China. Additional countries in Asia Pacific and Latin America are expected to launch in 2017.
Another fungicide that is launching in Brazil this year, DuPont Vessarya, combines two fungicides to provide protection against Asian soybean rust. Testing has shown Vessarya fungicide provided superior performing control of Asian soybean rust, with highest average yield compared to competitive treatments, the presentation noted.
Collins also reported pon DuPont’s research for insect control. DuPont Pyraxalt insecticide, which has been specifically developed to protect rice crops in Asia, is nearing launch with first sales expected in 2018.
To view a full copy of today’s presentation, visit the “Events & Presentations” page on the DuPont Investor Center.
