Innovative Farmers Lead The Way With Latest Corn Technology

Thursday, March 1, 2007

With Latest Corn Techno logy (NAPSA)—Newtechnology doesn’t always comein the form of an electronic device. In the world of agriculture, the latest and greatest thing often comes in a seed. This year, innovative farmers are planting corn technology that has built-in insect control that protects the roots from insects and ultimately results in higher yield potential. In fact, over 2,000 growers across the Corn Belt are participating in an elite trial program to plant Mon- santo’s new YieldGard VT™ corn hybrid technology. Jon Soeller, who operates Soeller View Farmsin Ripon, Wisconsin, said he is always interested in trying new technology that will give him an edge. “You're better off planting new technology that can yield more and probably make more moneyin the future,” said Soeller, whose operation also includes corn, soybeans and some wheat. “I thought if the new technology is better than the products I have been planting, I wanted to try it.” The advanced science behind Lorimer, Iowa, said he is always interested in new technology that can provide improved insect protection and higheryield potential. He said he looks forward to seeing how new science performs this season. “I have pretty heavy corn rootworm pressure on my farm, and one of the main reasons I decided to use this new technology tS lll d rank Jeff Chambliss is one of over 2,000 growers across the Corn Belt using the latest corn seed technology with better root protection, particularly beneficial in dry weather. this new corn hybrid technology involves a precise gene-insertion process to create stacked-trait hybrids resulting in improved consistency, even better insect control and higher yield potential. Previ- ously, scientists used a gene gun that propelled a desired trait into plant tissue using a 22-caliber charge. Jeff Kiddoo, who farms in was the more consistent rootworm protection.” The better root protection offered by the new corn technology is particularly beneficial in dry weatherconditions, which makeit even more difficult for a corn plant with damaged roots to effectively absorb limited subsoil moisture. This past summer, YieldGard VT plants were observed to be 12 to 18 inches taller than corn plants protected with conventional soil insecticides in some drought-stricken areas of Ohio, Indiana andeastern Illinois. A total of 1.5 million acres have been planted with this corn technology. Even more innovative farmers will be planting these corn hybrids in 2008.

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