Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, and Bunge North America, announced today that they will work with farmers near Bunge's facility in Delphos, Ohio, to grow Plenish high oleic soybeans in 2012.

For the 2012 growing season, Pioneer will contract with soybean farmers in the Delphos, Ohio, area to grow Plenish high oleic soybeans that will be delivered to Bunge's facility for processing. Growers will be eligible for a processor-paid incentive for producing and delivering high oleic soybeans, as well as an additional per-bushel stewardship incentive for this growing season. Pioneer will work closely with growers who are trained in growing specialty crops under identity-preserved conditions to produce Plenish high oleic soybeans. Interest from the market continues to be excellent and the 2012 contract program will support ongoing field and oil testing.

"Ohio soybean growers have demonstrated their ability to produce identity-preserved soybeans, and the 2012 contract program will provide them an opportunity to earn more income per bushel than commodity soy production while benefiting the soybean industry," said Randy Minton, business director at Pioneer Hi-Bred.

All acres of Plenish high oleic soybeans grown in 2012 will be grown under contract with trained growers, with strict stewardship plans in place. All growers will follow mandatory stewardship procedures, including delivering only to Bunge's facility in Delphos at specially designated times.

"We are pleased to be working closely with Pioneer and our farmer customers near Delphos to bring innovative products to market to meet the evolving demand of food manufacturers and consumers," said Rodney Perry, vice president and general manager, Bunge Oils.

High oleic soybeans provide new market opportunities for Ohio soybean producers by creating a soy-based trans fat alternative for food companies and foodservice operators. Plenish high oleic soybeans from Pioneer contain the highest oleic content of any soybean product under commercial development. The high oleic content significantly increases the stability of the oil and provides greater flexibility in food applications. Plenish high oleic soybean oil has 0g trans fat per serving and 20 percent less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for consumer food products.

Pioneer has launched the high oleic soybean trait in its industry-leading lineup of Pioneer brand Y Series soybean varieties, and its field testing has confirmed yields on par with elite commercial products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed its review of Plenish high oleic soybeans in 2009, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture deregulation in June 2010 allows Plenish high oleic soybeans to be grown under contract for ongoing field testing in the United States and additional oil testing by major oil processors and food companies. Regulatory submissions for the trait also have been submitted to key soybean importing countries around the world.

Bunge North America (www.bungenorthamerica.com), the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited, is a vertically integrated food and feed ingredient company, supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities and specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the livestock, poultry, food processor, foodservice and bakery industries. With headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., Bunge North America and its subsidiaries operate grain elevators, oilseed processing plants, edible oil refineries and packaging facilities, and corn dry mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.