Pioneer Hi-Breed International Inc

The Company's top-selling seed corn markets worldwide are the U.S., France, Canada, and Italy. Estimated acreage planted within these markets in 1998 totaled 81 million, 8 million, 3 million, and 3 million acres, respectively. » web

The business of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. is the broad application of the science of genetics. Pioneer was founded in 1926 to apply then newly discovered genetic techniques to hybridize corn. Today the Company develops, produces, and markets hybrids of corn, sorghum, and sunflowers; varieties of soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, and canola; and microorganisms useful in crop and livestock production. Hybrids, such as corn and sorghum, are crosses of two or more unrelated inbred lines that can be reproduced only by crossing the original parent lines. As a result, it is not beneficial for customers to plant saved seed, as the seed produced will not have the same genetic attributes as the seed planted. Varietal crops, such as soybeans and wheat, will reproduce themselves with little or no genetic variation. Customers frequently plant saved grain from these products, however, they are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of purchasing "new" seed every year. » web