Research Triangle Park, N.C., April 16, 2007 – BASF Plant Science, the leading provider of nutritionally enhanced corn, is expanding its breeding and testing operations to include three new facilities. BASF Plant Science now has seven stations focused on developing elite nutritionally enhanced corn genetics.
“We continue to look for ways to help producers increase their profitability per acre,” says Barney Bernstein, director of trait marketing and sales at BASF Plant Science. “Our goal is to continue developing hybrids that increase the feed value of corn for swine, poultry and dairy operations. The recent additions to our breeding and testing facilities demonstrate our continued commitment to improving profitability for dairy, swine and poultry producers.”
An existing facility in Estherville, Iowa was purchased for growing yield trials. The facility has a full-time staff of four. In addition, as many as 30 seasonal employees also will be hired with plans to add additional staff in the coming year.
Another existing facility to be used for yield trials and breeding was purchased in Weldon, Illinois. They currently have four full-time employees, including one new breeder, and will hire part-time seasonal employees as necessary.
The Hawaii facility, on the island of Kauai, is used as a continuous nursery. Corn harvested in the Midwest will be shipped to this location for planting in November. Once harvested the seed will be returned to the Midwest for spring planting. This will speed up the development time by allowing BASF Plant Science to grow two or more generations of crop in one year.
“Our corn research focuses on improving the nutritional qualities of maize as feed for poultry, swine and dairy cattle,” says Dr. Lee Stromberg, manager, Seed Activities, for BASF Plant Science. “We measure the starch, oil, protein and amino acid levels – as well as agronomic traits – in our corn hybrids in order to optimize the balance for different animal species.”
Corn hybrids developed by BASF Plant Science are currently marketed as NutriDense, a nutritionally enhanced corn that contains a stacked set of output traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Seed companies throughout the Midwest market the product through licensing agreements.
NutriDense silage hybrids can increase silage tonnage, milk production and per acre profitability for dairy producers. NutriDense silage hybrids can deliver high yields and increase milk production by up to 2.9lbs/head/day.
For swine producers, hybrids containing NutriDense can improve profits by up to $4 per marketed hog by reducing feed costs and/or improving feed efficiency. NutriDense is also higher in protein and all essential amino acids than many conventional corn hybrids.
About BASF Plant Science
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, more than 750 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed or higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.
About BASF Chemical Company
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 million (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
