Thursday June 28 Ag News

Nebraska Corn Board offers new blender pump grant incentive for fuel retailers

The Nebraska Corn Board recently allocated funds in its 2012-13 fiscal year budget to further develop the renewable fuel infrastructure in Nebraska.

Through a grant program, Nebraska Corn Board will award qualifying retailers $30,000 for the first blender pump and installation and $10,000 for a second pump. The maximum grant allowed per retail site is $40,000. Blender pumps allow retailers to more easily offer additional ethanol blended fuels, expand their fuel offerings and provide a point of distinction in the marketplace while serving the growing number of motorists driving flex fuel vehicles.

Such pumps also provide opportunities for stations to more easily offer E15, which is approved for use in all model year 2001 and newer cars, light-duty trucks and SUVs.

Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Once funding is exhausted, retailers will be placed on a waiting list and awarded grant money in the order applications were received, if additional funding becomes available.

“We recognize the cost to install blender pumps can be a hurdle, and this grant program is designed to help station owners move forward and upgrade their system,” said Curt Friesen, a farmer from Henderson and secretary-treasurer of the Nebraska Corn Board. “We especially would like to see new pumps installed in larger cities where there are more drivers, which means more flex fuel vehicles capable of using ethanol blends beyond E10 and E15.”

There are more than 120,000 flex fuel vehicles in Nebraska and that number is increasing everyday, said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development with the Nebraska Corn Board.

However, there are only about 20 blender pumps and an additional 40 pumps offering E85 across the state. “Nebraska is the second largest producer of ethanol in the country yet the state is lagging behind in ethanol infrastructure,” Clark said.

Station owners who install blender pumps may benefit from the blending economics and a higher volume of ethanol sales, while their customers enjoy a new array of fuel choices at the pump. “Flex fuel vehicle owners of today and tomorrow will appreciate the ability to pull up to a pump and find higher blends of ethanol fuel such as E30 or E85,” Friesen said.

Clark said E15 should be available for sale in the state by the end of the year.

“Blender pumps are the perfect opportunity to offer E15 along with E10 and other ethanol blended fuels,” she said. “Station owners who lay the foundation for the future of renewable fuels now will really be in a good position in the years to come.”

For more information about the grant program or to request an application for a grant, contact Clark at kim.clark@nebraska.gov or telephone 402-471-2676.



Saunder County Soybean Growers Plan Summer Meeting

The Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization will be on Sunday evening, July 15th - 6:00 p.m. for Social Time, 6:30 p.m. for the Dinner.  This event will be held at the American Legion Hall in Valparaiso.  A PRIME RIB dinner will be served. 

Featured speaker for the evening will be Monty Gartin - Health, Safety & Security Team Leader for Cargill processing in Blair.   His topic will be “Flood of  2011 – How did Cargill protect it’s site, suppliers and customers”

They have secured a number of Agri-Businesses as sponsors for the meeting and dinner. They will be recognized that evening.

If you know someone who is a prospective member, please extend an invitation to join us at this gala event and become a part of our organization.

If you have questions, contact one of the Saunders County Soybean Growers Association Directors listed below:
Jeff Hanson– President
Kent Langemeier – Vice President
Gary Hellerich – Secretary / Treasurer
Allen Mumm
John Trutna
Richard Tvrdy
Ray Kucera
Nathan Cernik
Dennis Fujan – District 5 Director NSA
Doug Bartek – Saunders County Director NSA

Please RSVP no later than Friday, July 6. Please call the Saunders County Extension Office at 800-529-8030. We have to place a meal count with the caterer and if you don’t call ahead, we have no idea that you’re coming. 



CORN-ON-CORN CLINIC IN NEBRASKA TO OFFER AGRONOMIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGING CONTINUOUS CORN

Continuous corn production presents special agronomic challenges for farmers. Monsanto is sponsoring a Genuity® Corn-on-Corn Clinic on Wednesday, July 25, in Norfolk, Neb., to provide area farmers with management recommendations from academics and other industry experts for maximizing yield potential associated with corn-on-corn acres.

Scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Divots Conference Center at 4200 W. Norfolk Ave., the event is open to farmers at no charge and will include lunch. Participants can register online by visiting www.genuity.com/Corn-on-Corn-Clinic.

Genuity Corn-on-Corn Clinic Topics and Speakers:
·    Insect Management – Dr. Bob Wright, University of Nebraska Research and Extension Entomologist 
·    Fertility Management – Dr. Ray Ward, founder of Ward Laboratories Inc., an agriculture testing laboratory serving farmers and ranchers
·    Residue Management – Steve Petersen, Monsanto End Use Manager
·    Disease Management – Dr. Tamra Jackson-Ziems, University of Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist

In addition to these presentations, the event will feature a panel of Nebraska farmers discussing their experiences with continuous corn production, followed by a question and answer period. All farmer attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 Cabela’s gift certificate.

Continuous corn production is often accompanied by high corn rootworm pressure, and a strong focus on integrated pest management practices helps to manage high corn rootworm populations. Monsanto’s Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete® corn blend is a single bag refuge management technology that provides multiple ways to protect against above- and below- ground insects in the Corn-Growing Area, including full-season control of corn rootworm.

“Farmers who grow continuous corn face additional challenges not typically encountered in a traditional corn-soy rotation,” says Ty Vaughn, Monsanto’s Corn Product Management Lead. “The Genuity Corn-on-Corn Clinic will focus on key agronomic practices to help farmers in this environment maximize their success.”

Genuity Corn-on-Corn Clinics are also being held July 31 in Spencer, Iowa; Aug. 1 in Cascade, Iowa; and Aug. 7 in Burlington, Colo.



BASF announces On Target Application Academy schedule

As advanced crop protection products and spray technologies come to market – and weed resistance continues to challenge growers across the country – it’s simple to say that today’s weed management environment is becoming more complex.

Developed by Bob Wolf, Ph.D., of Wolf Consulting and Research, TeeJet Technologies and BASF, with insight from a grower roundtable, the On Target Application Academy is a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity to provide growers extensive hands-on training for better awareness of herbicide application best practices.

“State certification courses and exams are important steps in ensuring proper herbicide application,” said Wolf. “The On Target Application Academy supplements these efforts, offering more detail around best management practices and factors that affect proper application.”

The On Target Application Academy educates growers on new application technologies, plant biology and advancements in new product chemistries to help them achieve the most effective and sustainable weed control possible – and to help mitigate off target applications, which is a continuous area of focus for the agricultural industry.

Schedule of events include:

July 17
Iowa State Advanced Spray Technology Clinic
Iowa State Field Extension Education Laboratory, Ames, Iowa
Two sessions: 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

September 5
BASF Grower Field Day
BASF Research Farm, Beaver Crossing, Nebraska
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

September 27
Iowa State University Advanced Spray Technology Clinic
Iowa State Field Extension Education Laboratory, Ames, Iowa
Two sessions: 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

“We’re excited about the programs we’ve been able to join as they not only provide a great opportunity to reach growers, but also include academic, manufacturer and industry representatives who will cover an array of topics, including plant biology, research and weed resistance management programs,” Luke Bozeman, Technical Market Manager, BASF, said.

Bozeman said growers will walk away with a deeper understanding of new technologies to ensure on target applications, better train employees, maximize yields, protect input investments, and protect lifelong investments in their crops.

Wolf, who is the lead trainer for the On Target Application Academy, said, “At the heart of the training is a detailed overview of new product and equipment technologies, training on proper equipment set up, including calibration, nozzle selection and clean-out, and a review of best practices for self-application.”

The On Target Application Academy recommends the following best practices:
• Always read and follow label directions.
• Develop proactive weed resistance management plans.
• Evaluate environmental factors before you spray.
• Select the proper nozzle for best results.
• Calibrate your sprayer.
• Be aware of cropping rotations in your area.
• Clean your equipment.
• Select proper spray adjuvants to maximize product performance.
• Configure your equipment to achieve on target application for effective  weed control.
• Keep proper records.
• Handle, store and dispose of products according to label directions.



Farm Beginnings Nebraska Twilight Tour and Potluck

Join the 2012 Farm Beginnings Nebraska participants as their final two tours of the season. Many farmers met the aspiring farmers at the annual conference. Participants will be hosting a meet and greet event on June 30 near Ceresco. The afternoon will get started at 2:30 p.m. at Woody Creek Lavender farm.

A short drive from both Lincoln and Omaha, the group is opening the first U-Pick lavender farm in Nebraska at Woody Creek Lavendar. The farm's first planting was in 2010 with 400 plants and 13 varieties. The owners plan to provide many services including fresh and dried lavender, oil distillation, wedding items, and products with events held here at the farm.

The afternoon (about 4 p.m.) will continue with another tour at Darby Springs Farm, just down the road.

Darby Springs' goals are to develop a farm that provides good, healthy food for family and the community, while enhancing the native ecosystems we live in. The farm is a tall grass prairie flowing down into a saline wetland, with at least three springs that we've found so far. The farm has the opportunity to steward these two rare ecosystems.

Then after the pasture walk at Darby Springs Farm, the group will have a potluck and bonfire. Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society members and supporters, past and present, are encouraged to attend and meet the new crop of farmers.

For directions please email William A. Powers, executive director, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, at healthyfarms@gmail.com.



Iowa Energy Summary

Crude Oil Summary -- Crude oil had a significant drop this week, closing at $79.36, a $4.67 decline over last week's price on the West Texas Intermediate. Brent crude oil also fell, closing $4.95 lower at $90.19 per barrel.  Brent crude oil also fell in price this week, finishing at $90.19 per barrel on Tuesday's close, down $4.95 from the previous week.  One year ago WTI crude sold for $90.61 and Brent crude was at $104.57.

Motor Fuels -- As of Tuesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.43 across Iowa according to AAA. This is a decrease over the previous week of $.06 and down $.07 compared to one year ago. The national average on Tuesday was $3.38, down $.11 from last week's price.

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were down $.05 on the Tuesday report with a statewide average of $3.58. One year ago diesel prices averaged $3.85 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel average is $.11 per gallon lower than the national average of $3.69.

Wholesale ethanol prices were up $.08 this week, closing at $2.19. The price of Mid-Grade Blend in Iowa (10% ethanol) closed at $3.35 per gallon, down $.06 from last week's price and down $.07 compared to one year ago.

Heating Fuels -- Natural Gas prices in Iowa rose $.11 over last week's report, ending the week at $2.70 / MMbtu.



Trade Sources say Biodiesel Demand Weak due to Oversupply

Biodiesel producers and traders continue to experience challenges moving their physical fuel due to an oversupplied market.  Trade sources maintain blenders bought so much biodiesel before the end of 2011 to capture a now expired tax credit that storage tanks remain brimming with product.  In addition, demand has been lackluster for petroleum diesel causing corresponding weak demand for biodiesel. Trade sources used words like "slow" and "quiet" to describe the market for the past two weeks.



Natural Gas Prices Drop 3 Percent

The price of natural gas dropped more than 3 percent Thursday following reports of an unexpectedly large increase in U.S. supplies.

The U.S. Energy Department said that natural gas, which is burned for heat in the winter and electricity in the summer, grew in supply by 57 billion cubic feet last week. That's more than the 51 billion to 55 billion cubic feet that analysts were predicting. Prices tend to fall as supplies go up.

Natural gas futures fell by 9.3 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $2.705 per 1,000 cubic feet in New York. The price had risen about 24 cents in the past four sessions and about 88 cents, or 45.5 percent, since April, when natural gas hit a 10-year low.

The U.S. has been slowly burning off an abnormally large surplus of natural gas this year. Stockpiles had jumped following a boom in North American production and a relatively warm winter. Supplies are still growing, though rising temperatures from the Midwest to the East Coast have recently kept those supply increases relatively moderate.

America's natural gas supply is about 25 percent higher than average for this time of year, the government said.

Retail U.S. gasoline prices fell by 1.4 cents to a national average of $3.369 per gallon, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. A gallon of regular unleaded has dropped by 56.7 cents since prices peaked in the first week of April.



USDA:  June Farm Prices Received Index Increased 3 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in June, at 181 percent, based on 1990-1992=100, increased 3 points (1.7 percent) from May. The Crop Index is up 2 points (1.0 percent) and the Livestock Index increased 1 point (0.7 percent). Producers received higher prices for hogs, oranges, eggs, and broccoli and lower prices for hay, corn, soybeans, and broilers. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of wheat and hay offset the decreased marketing of oranges, corn, cattle, and strawberries.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 1 point (0.6 percent) from June 2011. The Food Commodities Index, at 170, increased 4 points (2.4 percent) from last month but decreased 1 point (0.6 percent) from June 2011.

Prices Paid Index Unchanged
The June Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 215 percent of the 1990-1992 average. The index is unchanged from May but 12 points (5.9 percent) above June 2011. Higher prices in June for complete feeds, concentrates, nitrogen, and supplements offset lower prices for diesel, hay & forages, LP gas, and gasoline.

Prices Received by Farmers
The June All Farm Products Index is 181 percent of its 1990-1992 base, up 1.7 percent from the May index and 0.6 percent above the June 2011 index.

All crops:
The June index, at 210, increased 1.0 percent from May and 0.5 percent from June 2011. Index increases for fruits & nuts and commercial vegetables more than offset the index decreases for feed grains & hay, oilseeds, food grains, and potatoes & dry beans.

Food grains: The June index, at 213, is 2.3 percent below the previous month and down 12 percent from a year ago. The June price for all wheat, at $6.37 per bushel, is down 30 cents from May and $1.04 below June 2011.

Feed grains & hay: The June index, at 265, is down 2.9 percent from last month but 1.1 percent above a year ago. The corn price, at $6.25 per bushel, is down 8 cents from last month and 13 cents below June 2011. The all hay price, at $183 per ton, is down $16.00 from May but $20.00 higher than last June. Sorghum grain, at $9.95 per cwt, is 45 cents below May and 55 cents below June last year.

Cotton, Upland: The June index, at 137, is down 2.1 percent from May but unchanged from last year. The June price, at 83.1 cents per pound, is down 1.5 cents from the previous month and 0.2 cent below last June.

Oilseeds: The June index, at 245, is down 2.0 percent from May but 3.4 percent higher than June 2011. The soybean price, at $13.70 per bushel, decreased 30 cents from May but is 50 cents above June 2011.

Livestock and products:
The June index, at 152, is 0.7 percent above last month but down 0.7 percent from June 2011. Compared with a year ago, prices are higher for cattle, broilers, calves, turkeys, and eggs. Prices for milk and hogs are down from last year.

Meat animals: The June index, at 161, is up 1.3 percent from last month and 10 percent higher than last year. The June hog price, at $66.90 per cwt, is up $4.10 from May but $2.80 lower than a year ago. The June beef cattle price of $122 per cwt is unchanged from last month but $15.00 higher than June 2011.

Dairy products: The June index, at 123, is down 0.8 percent from a month ago and 24 percent lower than June last year. The June all milk price of $16.10 per cwt is 10 cents less than last month and $5.00 lower than June 2011.

Poultry & eggs: The June index, at 164, is up 0.6 percent from May and 5.8 percent above a year ago. The June market egg price, at 68.8 cents per dozen, increased 9.4 cents from May and is 0.1 cent above June 2011. The June broiler price, at 52.0 cents per pound, is down 1.0 cent from May but 3.0 cents above a year ago. The June turkey price, at 73.9 cents per pound, is up 1.3 cents from the previous month and 4.4 cents above a year earlier



Farm, Energy, Technology Groups Tell EPA, NHTSA CAFE Rule as Proposed Poses Risk to Rural Economy

A coalition of rural energy interests says proposed new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards could cap and constrain U.S. biofuel production, posing a risk to the nation’s rural and energy economy.

In comments filed today with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the organizations say the proposed rule establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and CAFE standards for 2017 and later model-year, light-duty vehicles “does not sufficiently incentivize the production of FFVs (flex fuel vehicles),” and “does not adequately value the greenhouse gas reduction potential of biofuels.”

Seeking changes to the proposed rule, the groups argue that “[t]ogether, these oversights place the rule in conflict with other established national priorities, policies, and legislation,” including the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), “while ignoring the economic, public health, and environmental benefits that can only be achieved through increased biofuel usage.”

The comments were submitted by the 25x’25 Alliance, American Council on Renewable Energy, American Seed Trade Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, American Farm Bureau Federation, Biotechnology Industry Organization, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Farmers Union and the National Sorghum Producers.

The groups make the case that “[T]he continued production of flexible fuel vehicles and the advancement of a range of biofuels into the market are critical to expanding renewable fuel use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality.”

There are currently 12 million FFVs operating on American roadways and the use of midlevel ethanol blends and E85 in FFVs is a cost-effective and efficient way to help meet the federal agencies’ ambitious standards for improving tailpipe emissions through biofuels utilization, the organizations state.

“Ethanol and other advanced biofuels such as biobutanol facilitate CO2 emission reductions both within the vehicle, and, more importantly, throughout its production and combustion life cycle,” the groups assert in their comments.

“Furthermore, increased biofuel use contributes to public health,” the groups state. “Higher ethanol blends reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM 2.5 and ultrafine particles) resulting from the burning of aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and xylene found in conventional fuels.”

The groups contend that despite the many benefits of biofuels, including the enhancement of U.S, national energy security, the proposed rule does not ensure they will be realized.

“The proposed rule effectively eliminates statutory incentives intended to promote their use,” according to the comments. “Moreover, it appears to pick favorites by providing much more generous credits to other ‘advanced vehicle technologies,’ such as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.”

Changes to the rule proposed by the farm energy groups to EPA and NHTSA include addressing the lack of parity for FFVs by providing a level playing field for each vehicle technology, and recognizing the “lifecycle” CO2 reductions provided by ethanol.

Representatives from the groups will soon meet with officials at EPA and the NHTSA to press their case. They will also meet with officials at the Department of Agriculture and State Department to discuss the effect that the proposed rule could have on commodity prices that would, in turn, impact global markets.



USDA/GIPSA Approves Aflatoxin Test

A three-minute test that detects aflatoxin in feed and grain has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.  The test, developed by Charm Science, is approved for more than 20 commodities, including corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum and dried distillers grains.  The Charm Rosa Fast Aflatoxin Quantitative test is an immunreceptor assay that uses a simple lateral flow strip format. A diluted extract is applied to test strips. The strips are incubated and results are read on a Rosa-M Reader.



Dairy Situation and Outlook, June 26, 2012
Bob Cropp, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension

Production of dairy products continues to run well above a year ago. Compared to April a year ago, butter production was up 7.2%, cheddar cheese 3.6%, total American cheese 3.5%, total cheese 2.1% and nonfat dry milk 31.1%. Latest sales data, January through March compared to a year ago show Butter up 0.7%, American cheese up 0.1%, other cheese up 2.5%, but fluid (beverage) milk sales down 3.2%. Dairy exports continue to be positive compared to a year ago. Exports for the January through April period were up 8% for nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder, whey proteins up 2%, cheese up 12% and lactose up 5%, but butterfat down 33%. On a total solids basis exports were equivalent to 13% of U.S. milk production, the same as a year ago. While butter and nonfat dry milk stocks continue to grow cheese stocks are lower than a year ago. Compared to a year ago, May 31st butter stocks where 55.4% higher. American cheese stocks were just 0.1% higher but total cheese stocks 1.9% lower. April 30th nonfat dry milk stocks were 54.2% higher than a year ago.

Good news for milk prices is milk production is slowing down. For the 23 reporting states January through April milk production on a daily basis was 4.0% higher than a year ago due to both increases in cow numbers and more milk per cow. But, cow numbers dropped by 3,000 head in May and with milk per cow up 1.2% total milk production increased just 2.1%. For the U.S. estimates are that after increasing month-to-month since October of 2010 cows numbers dropped by 4,000 head in May. With cow numbers now just 0.8% higher than a year ago and milk per cow up 1.2% May milk production was estimated to be just 2.0% higher than a year ago.

Cow numbers had been increasing in California but dropped by 2,000 head in May. Milk production was up 3.2% in April for California but up just 1.9% in May. Arizona’s milk production remained strong being up 5.0%. Production was 2.5% higher for Idaho, but only 1.4% higher for New Mexico and 0.7% for Texas. In the Northeast, production was 3.5% higher for Michigan, 4.4% higher for Ohio and 2.5% higher for New York. But, Pennsylvania’s production was 2.1% lower due to 1.3% fewer cows and 0.9% less milk per cow. In the Midwest fewer cows and less milk per cow resulted in production 1.3% lower in Iowa, with no change in Minnesota and 2.4% higher for Wisconsin.

Also good news for milk prices is improved prices during June for both butter and cheese and price firmness for both nonfat dry milk and dry whey. CME butter averaged $1.35 per pound in May and is now $1.52. CME barrel cheddar cheese averaged $1.47 per pound in May and is now $1.66 and 40-pound cheddar blocks averaged $1.52 per pound in May and are now $1.64. West nonfat dry milk is trading in the $1.13 to $1.20 per pound range, and dry whey which was trading as high as $0.70 per pound early in the year is now in the $0.45 to $0.52 range.

The June Class III price could show some strength at around $15.65 compared to $15.23 in May. However, the Class IV price is likely to show little change from the $13.55 May price. The Northeast and Midwest have experienced hot weather and forecast is for temperatures to remain hot for the week ahead. This hot weather along with milk production on its seasonal decline and lower milk composition during the summer has improved the outlook for milk prices over what appeared to be the case a month earlier. It now looks like the Class III price could near $16.75 for July and be above $17.00 by August and peak near $17.50 by October or November.



US Department of Labor announces $5 million grant competition to pilot test guidelines to reduce child and forced labor in agricultural imports

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a competitive solicitation for a $5 million cooperative agreement to pilot test the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidelines to reduce child labor and forced labor in imported agricultural products.

Worldwide, an estimated 60 percent of children who work do so in the agricultural sector. The USDA’s 2011 Guidelines for Eliminating Child and Forced Labor in Agricultural Supply Chains lay out the key elements of effective company programs to reduce the likelihood that child or forced labor is used in agricultural products or commodities imported into the United States.

Prospective applicants must represent a partnership that includes a nongovernmental organization and a company that is active in agricultural supply chains. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in areas such as international children’s issues, labor issues and company supply chain compliance programs. The project funded as a result of this competition will involve piloting a program for one or more companies to reduce child labor (and forced labor if applicable) in an agricultural supply chain in one country. In addition, the projects will involve documenting lessons learned and recommendations for future application of the USDA’s guidelines.

Eligible applicants must respond to the entire scope of work outlined in the solicitation. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. EDT electronically via http://www.grants.gov or as hard copies to the U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attention: Brenda White and Jim Kinslow. 

The cooperative agreement award – possibly more than one – will be made by Dec. 31. The solicitation for grant applications is available online at http://s.dol.gov/T6.



Pioneer Hi-Bred is Now Being Called 'DuPont Pioneer'

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will be known as DuPont Pioneer as of July 1.

Company officials say DuPont Pioneer is an important element in extending DuPont's efforts in the agricultural and food industries. The change in the name reflects a joint mission to find solutions to ensure that the world's growing population has enough food.

A news release from Dupont says the DuPont Pioneer goal remains the same: 'to provide the best products, services and information to help growers get the highest return on every acre they farm. Nothing in that commitment will change, and Pioneer remains an important brand as it has been for more than 85 years.'

The original Hi-Bred Corn Company was started in 1926 and was renamed Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. in 1970. DuPont acquired about 20-percent of the company in 1997 and purchased the rest of its shares two years later.