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Paul Schickler introduced proprietary seed technology to Wall Street analysts.

Wall Street Analysts visiting DuPont’s plant genetics business and research campus recently learned about the new patented Seed Production Technology. This new technology will reduce the cost of the mechanical and labor-intensive process for creating high-yielding hybrid seed corn by more than 20% in the field. It will increase product quality at the same time.

“This new technology will be great for customers and for us,” said Paul Schickler, DuPont vice president and Pioneer Hi-Bred president. “At peak sales in several years, Seed Production Technology is expected to provide us with more than $100 million annual cost savings opportunity in productivity improvement. In seed fields…most of the value will come from a 15 to 30% increase in field management productivity. Pollen management – known as ‘detasseling’ – makes up 10% of the total cost of producing seed corn. This cost will be eliminated when the new technology is applied.”

Seed Production Technology is a non-invasive approach to hybrid seed production.

The proprietary system puts an end to the need for hand and mechanical means of controlling pollen flow between two parent lines. After piloting the technology in North America in 2010, Pioneer expects to make the first seed produced with the system available to farmers in 2011. During the visit, Paul discussed plans to increase seed corn and soybean market share, the strong international growth opportunities, and plant genetics regulatory approval timelines.

The presentation also covered the differentiating, sustainable “Right Product. Right Acre^SM” strategy that focuses on delivering products and services to meet specific needs of individual customers. This technology contributes to our megatrend goal of increasing food production.