Asoyia LLC and Dairyland Seed have announced a strategic collaboration to develop and market soybean germplasm for the ultra low linolenic soybean market.

"We're excited to team up with Asoyia, who already has significant success in, and knowledge of, the developing 1% ultra low linolenic soybean market from both ends of the business-producing soybeans with the ultra low linolenic trait and marketing ultra low linolenic soybean oil. Asoyia is the first organization to successfully produce 1% ultra low linolenic soybeans in volume and, as a result, provides highly stable trans fat free oil to the food industry. This experience will be invaluable as we work together," said Tom Strachota, CEO of Dairyland Seed.

"Asoyia is honored to have the opportunity to work with an industry leader like Dairyland Seed on this joint effort," said Dr. Vivan Jennings, CEO of Asoyia. "Dairyland is recognized as one of the premier plant breeding companies in the seed industry. With Dairyland's expertise in developing elite soybean varieties, we look forward to the development of additional elite varieties of the Asoyia ultra low linolenic soybean that are even more vigorous and robust."

Oil from ultra low linolenic soybeans is becoming increasingly popular in the food industry, as an alternative to partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Asoyia's soybeans have 1% linolenic acid-the lowest level of linolenic acid among any brands on the market-compared to 7% that normally occurs in soybeans. This lower linolenic acid makes oil processed from these soybeans naturally stable without requiring hydrogenation. The absence of hydrogenation eliminates trans fatty acids, which the Food and Drug Administration is requiring food manufacturers to list on all product labels beginning in January 2006. Trans fatty acids have been linked to increased cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease.

This fall, Asoyia will harvest 25,000 acres of 1% ultra low linolenic soybeans grown by more than 100 Iowa producers. Under the Asoyia brand, the company currently produces six different genetic lines of soybeans with the ultra low linolenic trait.

The goals of the collaboration between Asoyia and Dairyland are to develop high yielding soybeans with improved genetic packages that contain the 1% ultra low linolenic soybean trait. The new genetics will add disease resistance and new desirable traits across diverse maturity ranges where soybeans are grown.

Asoyia's 2005 harvest will produce more than 12 million pounds of ultra low linolenic soybean oil, which will continue to be marketed to the food service industry throughout the United States and overseas. Current customers include food processors, restaurants, and university and hospital food service. Additionally, the company is selling regionally retail bottles of Asoyia Ultra Low Linolenic Soybean Oil.

Asoyia is farmer-owned and provides premiums and revenue sharing with all of its growers. One hundred percent of Asoyia profits go back to Iowa farmers.

For 2006 ultra low linolenic soybean production will be focused in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. Additional production areas will be developed and identified and identified for the 2007 season and beyond.

With the largest independent plant breeding program in the industry, Dairyland Seed has 12 plant breeders working to develop high-yielding elite germplasm. Dairyland Seed's research team brought to market the world's first herbicide-tolerant soybeans in 1993. The company released the first herbicide tolerant soybeans to surpass the 70-, 80-, and 90-bushel per acre yield levels in university trials. Dairyland recently announced the release of the industry's first early maturity stacked herbicide tolerant soybeans which contain tolerance to both Monsanto's Roundup® herbicide and DuPont's STS® herbicides. Its research program spans nearly three decades, and its locations are spread throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America.

Dairyland Seed is one of the country's largest privately owned seed companies, bringing nearly 100 years of expertise to the collaboration with Asoyia.

For more information on Asoyia visit www.asoyia.com

Sept. 13, 2005 West Bend, WI

Producers looking for superior soybean genetics and more options in weed control need to look no further. Dairyland Seed has announced the release of high-yielding Group 0 and early Group 1 stacked-trait Roundup Ready® soybean varieties that also have tolerance to Harmony® GT (an STS® herbicide).

"Our dedicated team of soybean researchers developed these soybean varieties with the best options: superior genetics combined with Roundup® and Harmony® GT tolerance," explains Tom Strachota, CEO of Dairyland Seed. "This offering gives producers the ultimate flexibility in their weed control program. And best of all, this new technology has no extra cost."

Producers already know that Roundup-tolerant soybeans can provide excellent weed control. With these new stacked-trait soybeans from Dairyland Seed, producers can now use a tank mix of Roundup with Harmony GT at a new expanded-use rate to help control wild buckwheat, lambsquarters, volunteer canola and more.

Dairyland Seed has spent more than 20 years in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota, growing and developing soybeans specifically for this unique growing region. With the largest independent plant breeding program in the industry, Dairyland Seed has 12 plant breeders working to develop high-yielding elite germplasm. Dairyland Seed's research team brought to market the world's first herbicide tolerant soybeans in 1993.

Dairyland Seed's research program spans nearly three decades, and its locations are spread throughout the United States, Mexico and South America.

Dairyland researchers were some of the first to identify elite soybean germplasm suited to the Dakotas and northern Minnesota. The uniformly high pH levels of the soils, coupled with the long day, short growing season, presented unique challenges to researchers. These growing conditions are unique compared to anywhere else in the world, and that's why Dairyland researchers spend a major portion of the growing season in the area, working on research plots scattered throughout the Dakotas and northern Minnesota. "To develop soybeans specific to this area, our breeding program needed to focus here," says Bill Campbell, soybean breeder with Dairyland Seed.

For additional information, or to find the Dairyland Seed dealer near you, call 800-236-0163, or visit Dairyland Seed on the Web at www.dairylandseed.com.

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a family owned seed company with research programs in soybeans, hybrid corn, hybrid alfalfa and alfalfa. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, include company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho.

Dairyland Seed recently announced that Fred Reckner has joined Dairyland as its Vice President of Finance. In this position he directs both the Accounting and the Finance Department. He is responsible for internal and external financial reporting as well as management of all treasury functions. He is a permanent member of Dairyland's Executive Committee, interacting with corporate management, corporate financial institutions, independent audit firms and the Board of Directors.

Fred has more than 20 years of accounting experience. He began his accounting career with the Menasha Corporation in 1976 and moved to the West Bend Company in 1979. He stayed at the West Bend Company through its purchase by Regal Ware until 2003. Since 2003 he has worked for Kairak Corporation, a California company owned by Illinois Tool Works. Fred received his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin Platteville and an Executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He is married with two children and resides in West Bend, Wisconsin.

Dairyland Seed operates the industry's largest independent plant breeding efforts. It is the only family-held seed company in the U.S. seed industry with breeding programs in hybrid alfalfa, hybrid corn and soybeans.

Corporate headquarters and soybean conditioning facilities are located in West Bend, Wisconsin. Hybrid corn production facilities are located in Mt. Hope, Wisconsin and alfalfa seed production facilities in Homedale, Idaho. Research stations are located at Clinton, Wisconsin; Gilbert, Iowa; Gibson City, Illinois; Otterbein, Indiana and Sloughhouse, California.

Dairyland Seed recently announced that Gary Leeper has joined Dairyland as its Vice President of Sales. In this position he will oversee Dairyland's entire sales efforts. This includes Dairyland's Upper Midwest Dealer Sales Network as well as Dairyland's Distributor Sales Network which extends across the U.S. and into various foreign countries.

He will also serve as a member of the Dairyland Seed Executive Committee. In this capacity, he will interact with others in corporate management and on the Board of Directors in developing and executing corporate strategy.

Gary has spent 24 years in the seed industry and has held various sales and marketing positions with Northrup King, Asgrow and most recently serving as Sales Manager for U.S. seeds with Mycogen Seeds. He is an Iowa native and is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa He and his wife Janet have three children and will be relocating in the Milwaukee area.

"We are very pleased to have a person of Gary's background and experience join our family business,""stated Tom Strachota Dairyland CEO.

Dairyland Seed recently announced the promotion of its Director of Research, Hunt Wiley of Otterbein, Indiana, to a position on Dairyland's Executive Management Committee.

Wiley has been an employee of Dairyland Seed for over 20 years. He initially began his career as a Soybean Research Assistant, eventually taking on full soybean plant breeder responsibilities. Wiley began his career at Dairyland's southern Wisconsin research station near Clinton in Rock County. In 1985 Wiley established Dairyland's Corn Belt Research facility near Gibson City, Illinois. In 1990, Wiley established Dairyland's Indiana research facility near Otterbein.

Wiley has served in the role of Director of Research for Dairyland Seed since 1999. In this capacity he carries the responsibility for overseeing all budget activities and administrative tasks for Dairyland's five research locations and its 12 plant breeders.

Currently Wiley is working out of the Otterbein, Indiana, location. He is the author of a number of Dairyland soybean patents and also serves as the Secretary for American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA) prestigious Soybean Division. Wiley has been married to Gail Wiley of Lafayette for almost 30 years. They have two fine sons, Ted, a Purdue chemistry major and Nate, a Klondike 8th grader.

As a member of Dairyland's Executive Committee Wiley will be involved in Dairyland's monthly review of financials as well as periodic review of various key management and strategic issues.

Dairyland Seed, headquartered in West Bend, Wis., is the world's largest independent plant breeding organization. Dairyland conducts plant breeding efforts in hybrid alfalfa, hybrid corn and soybeans at five U.S. breeding stations. In addition, Dairyland conducts counter-season winter research efforts in various parts of North America, Central America, and South America. Dairyland Seed is headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin and has breeding facilities in Clinton, WI; Otterbein, IN; Gibson City, IL; Gilbert, IA; and Sloughhouse, CA. Dairyland also has production facilities in West Bend, WI; Mt. Hope, WI; and Homedale, ID.

Feb. 21, 2005 West Bend, WI

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. has announced the release of the first Group 0 and early Group 1 stacked-trait soybean varieties known to have stacked herbicide tolerance. These high-yielding varieties have resistance to both Roundup® and STS®, and were developed specifically for the Red River Valley. These varieties will have limited availability for the 2005 growing season.

"We are excited to be able to bring these soybean varieties to producers," explains Tom Strachota, CEO of Dairyland Seed. "These new varieties offer soybean producers more options in their weed control program."

With the largest independent plant breeding program in the industry, Dairyland Seed has 12 plant breeders working to develop high-yielding, elite germplasm. Widely recognized in the industry, Dairyland Seed's research brought to market the world's first herbicide tolerant soybeans in 1993.

Dairyland Seed's research program spans nearly three decades, and its locations are spread throughout the United States and the world. The company has spent more than 20 years researching soybean varieties specifically adapted to the Red River Valley.

The uniformly high pH levels of the soils in the Red River Valley, coupled with the longer days and, short growing season, presented unique challenges to Dairyland researchers. "We worked in several different geographies to attempt to replicate the conditions of the valley," says Bill Campbell, soybean breeder with Dairyland Seed. "We determined more than 20 years ago that to develop soybeans specific to the Red River Valley, our breeding program needed to focus on the valley."

This effort led to a number of Dairyland's varieties holding true to maturity in the unusual 2004 growing season. "Our researchers understand the growing conditions of the Red River Valley. Through this research we will bring a number of high-yielding new soybean varieties that are true to maturity in the Red River Valley for the coming season," Strachota says.

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. is a family owned seed company with research programs in soybeans, hybrid corn, hybrid alfalfa and alfalfa. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, include company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho.

Roundup is a trademark of, and used under license from, Monsanto Co. STS is a registered trademark of the DuPont Co.

Nov. 15, 2004, West Bend, WI

Dairyland Seed Co. recently announced a major advancement in soybean seed packaging by switching from 50 pound units to 140,000 seed units for 2005. The company is taking the guesswork out of ordering soybean seeds and estimating seed and technology costs per acre by allowing producers to order soybean seed needs based on seed count

"This new packaging will benefit producers by giving them exact numbers of soybean seed needed for more accurate planning," explains Tom Strachota, CEO of Dairyland Seed. "The bottom line is that producers will receive more accurate seed supplies with less waste on a consistent basis."

Previous packaging relied on total seed weight for packaging. The problem with this method is that seed size can vary significantly from year to year, seed field to seed field, and variety to variety. Therefore the number of seeds in a package varied when packaged by weight. When seed size is small, too much seed is sent to the producer. Alternatively, when seed size is large, too little seed is delivered, resulting in seed shortages and second shipments. Either way, this results in increased shipping costs for all parties, and potential planting delays when supplies are short.

"Our customers have told us that since they plant soybeans based on seed count, not weight, they would prefer to buy them that way as well," Strachota says. "Producers now will be able to more accurately plan their needs."

Soybean seeds will be packaged with 140,000 seeds per unit when packaged in single units and 40-unit mini-bulk bags. Producers will order seed just as they have in the past, based on their planting rate.

"A soybean seed unit will range from a maximum of 58 pounds to a minimum of 40 pounds, depending on the seed lot," Strachota says. In the event that seed size is large for a particular seed lot, mini-bulk bags will be split so no mini-bulk package will weigh more than 2,000 pounds to ensure safe handling.

"Our research and production staffs reviewed soybean seeding rate recommendations from across the Midwest," Strachota says. "A package with 140,000 seeds at 90 percent germination provides 126,000 viable seeds. This equates to 1 unit per acre planted at the lowest recommended rate (125,000 seeds per acre) and two units per acre planted at the highest rate (250,000).

"Producers determine their planting rate and can now order the exact amount of seeds they need," Strachota says. "We've added efficiency and taken out the guesswork."

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is one of the industry's largest family owned seed corn companies. Its plant breeding programs include soybeans, hybrid corn, and hybrid alfalfa. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, includes company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland's seed conditioning facilities include Mt. Hope, Wisconsin for corn, Homedale, Idaho for alfalfa, and West Bend, Wisconsin for soybeans.

Dairyland Seed recently announced that District Sales Manager, Derry Abraham, has been promoted to the position of Alfalfa Product Manager.

Abraham's primary responsibility will be to promote the value of Dairyland's exclusive patented msSUNSTRA™ Hybrid Alfalfa to Dairyland Dealers and Distributors. As such, Abraham will be responsible for coordinating efforts to gather on-farm yield data, coordinate alfalfa field days, coordinate alfalfa management clinics and pursue other activities which will promote hybrid alfalfa and Dairyland's other alfalfa products as well.

"I am excited to have an individual of Derry's capability fill this role in the new era of hybrid alfalfa for Dairyland. We have a tremendous number of growth opportunities and we need to deliver the high-value message that hybrid alfalfa can improve grower productivity and improve the producer's economic outlook," stated Dairyland CEO Tom Strachota.

In March of 2001 Dairyland announced the release of the world's first hybrid alfalfa, HybriForce™-400. In March of 2003 Dairyland announced the release of its second alfalfa hybrid, HybriForce™-420/Wet, featuring branched roots and adapted to heavy or saturated soils.

HybriForce®-400 the world's first hybrid alfalfa, is now available in Canada. Dairyland Seed has announced that HybriForce®-400 has been registered in Canada, and seed is now commercially available in Canada exclusively through Brett-Young Seeds.

"Dairyland Seed is excited to have the opportunity to market this revolutionary alfalfa in Canada," explains Tom Strachota, chief executive officer of Dairyland Seed. "HybriForce®-400 is as revolutionary as the introduction of hybrid corn, and increasing its distribution network will benefit Canadian producers."

According to Harold Zibell, portfolio manager for Brett-Young Seeds, growers can look forward to a significant increase in yields.

"HybriForce®-400 is a significant step up from the highest rated conventional alfalfa varieties, yielding between 8 percent and 15 percent more," Zibell says. "To date, growers who have gathered on-farm yield data have noticed an even larger increase.""

Dr. Paul Sun and his team of scientists at Dairyland Seed's Clinton, Wis., research facility have unlocked the yield potential of alfalfa with the development of female (ms, or male sterile) plants. The new patented technology, called msSunstra™, represents the culmination of these efforts. "For more than 24 years, we have worked to identify special female and male plants so we could control pollen flow. With current alfalfa, bees randomly spread pollen and cause inbreeding. With hybrids, by controlling pollen, we capture additional vigor which is expressed as 8 percent to 15 percent more yield." Sun says. "The plants also can take more management abuse and provide farmers greater cutting flexibility with less risk of stand loss when harvesting high quality forage."

For Brett-Young Seeds, the launch of HybriForce®-400 is another step in the company's commitment to Canadian farmers. Brett-Young Seeds, based in Winnipeg, has served the needs of Canadian farmers since 1934. Today, the company researches, develops, processes and markets the highest quality canola, forage and grass seed.

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a family owned seed company with research programs in hybrid alfalfa, alfalfa, soybeans and hybrid corn. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, include company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho. For more information, visit Dairyland Seed on the web at www.dairylandseed.com.

The world's first hybrid alfalfa now has a companion. Dairyland Seed has announced the release of HybriForce®-420/Wet, a hybrid alfalfa that carries the unique branched-rooted trait.

HybriForce®-420/Wet has the same branched-root trait of Dairyland Seed's popular Magnum V-Wet alfalfa, with the additional hybrid benefit of increased vigor and more resilient plants. HybriForce®-420/Wet is designed for poorly drained soils or fields subject to heaving. The secret behind HybriForce®-420/Wet is the plant's ability to adjust to moisture stresses. Plant roots branch out, staying above the water level, and make HybriForce®-420/Wet an excellent choice for producers with low-lying or poorly drained soils.

"Further advances with our patented msSUNSTRA hybrid alfalfa technology have helped our researchers develop this next new hybrid alfalfa product," says Tom Strachota, chief executive officer of Dairyland Seed. "This new technology will continue to bring hybrid alfalfa products with specific traits and growing characteristics."

Dairyland Seed researchers have taken the key characteristics of Magnum V-Wet alfalfa and incorporated those branched-root traits into HybriForce®-420/Wet. "Hybrid alfalfa technology along with a prolific branched-root system will allow HybriForce®-420/Wet to persist and be productive in both wet and well-drained soils," says Mike Velde, alfalfa plant breeder at Dairyland Seed.

The root system of HybriForce®-420/Wet hybrid alfalfa has been designed with a greater degree of the branched-root trait, which helps keep more of the root system above the water level and better anchors the plant in the ground when freezing and thawing occurs.

Strengths of HybriForce®-420/Wet include its aggressive forage yield capabilities, high forage quality, distinctive rapid regrowth after harvest, solid persistence and excellent winter survival abilities.

HybriForce®-420/Wet is rated highly resistant to Phytophthora Root Root, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, stem nematode, and northern root knot nematode. It is rated resistant to anthracnose (race 1), verticillium wilt, and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1).

State trial data as well as Dairyland Seed trial data have shown an average yield advantage of 9 percent over conventional alfalfa varieties. "Trial data indicates that HybriForce®-420/Wet will be a strong performer," Velde says.

Hybrid alfalfa, introduced by Dairyland Seed in 2001, ushered in a revolution in alfalfa.

HybriForce®400, the world's first hybrid alfalfa, continues to show increased vigor and stronger plants compared to non-hybrid alfalfa varieties. More aggressive growth of the hybrid alfalfa stand means yields that are 8 percent to 15 percent higher over the life of the stand. On-farm strip plot and side-by-side field trials have shown yield advantages of 15 percent to 20 percent. "We believe that a significant reason for the increased yield is the increased vigor of the hybrid alfalfa plant. Our research has noted that the plant greens up faster, and shows more vigorous regrowth after cutting," says Dr. Paul Sun, vice president of research for Dairyland Seed. "HybriForce®-420/Wet will perform equally as well as our first hybrid."

Dairyland Seed's HybriForce®-420/Wet hybrid alfalfa will be marketed this year in limited quantities. It joins a growing list of seed innovations in alfalfa from Dairyland Seed. In addition to HybriForce®-400, Magnum V alfalfa has established itself as one of the premier alfalfa product on the market. In state trials, Magnum V has consistently proven itself as one of the best yielding products on the market, finishing first or not significantly different than first in 84 percent of the state trials it has been entered in across the country.

"Our elite products are backed by more than 30 years of solid research," Strachota says. "Growers have always been able to count on Dairyland Seed for superior performing alfalfa varieties."

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a family owned seed company with research programs in hybrid alfalfa, alfalfa, soybeans and hybrid corn. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, includes company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho. For more information, visit Dairyland Seed on the web at www.dairylandseed.com.

Jan. 30, 2003 - West Bend, WI

Chuck Johnson's formula for growing high-yielding corn is pretty simple: watch the fertility, plant high-quality corn hybrids with good yield potential, and take advantage of good planting weather. But he also credits Mother Nature.

For this Cambridge, Ill., producer, everything went right during the 2002 growing season, and Johnson, who farms more than 600 acres of corn, harvested one field that yielded a whopping 307 bushels per acre. "It was an exceptional growing year," Johnson says.

Johnson noted that he kept an eye on that particular field all year. "The corn came up good, stood very strong, and had deep kernels," Johnson says. "I thought it would be a good field."

Once he got into the combine, Johnson was amazed how fast the hopper was filling up.

And while growing conditions were above average, Johnson says it helped that he planted a corn hybrid with strong genetic potential. "Everything clicked last year," Johnson says. "It's the best yields I've ever harvested." Johnson, 56, has farmed in the area for nearly 40 years. In addition to corn, Johnson plants soybeans and raises cattle and hogs.

Johnson admits that he didn't do anything special when planting. "The field where I harvested the 307-bushel yield had been in alfalfa for four years, then soybeans for one year, before being planted to corn in 2002," he says. Using standard tillage, Johnson planted at a rate of 30,000 (standard on his farm). Using 38-inch rows, Johnson planted his field on May 3. He used Force as an insecticide, and Dual II Magnum as a pre-emergence herbicide, and Marksman as a post-emergence.

Johnson harvested the field on Oct. 16, 2002, at 18 percent moisture, and noted high corn borer pressure, "but I got in early enough before it became a problem."

Johnson said several larger fields averaged 230 bushels per acre. Johnson planted six different Dairyland Seed hybrids, and said each one provided exceptional yields. "In the past, I've harvested fields that have yielded in the low 200 bushel per acre range, but never anything close to 300, much less over 300," Johnson says.

Most of his corn is fed back to Johnson's livestock, but said his silage hybrids were exceptional. "We usually chop about 20 acres for silage, but we had a field planted with Dairyland Seed's Stealth 1412-Bt that had an exceptional yield, so we harvested it for grain."

Johnson has used Dairyland Seed products for more than two decades, and notes that year after year, he's pleased with above-average yields and a strong lineup of corn hybrids. "Every year, these hybrids continue to outdo themselves," Johnson says.

And while Johnson gives credit to the good growing weather, he's also encouraged to know the hybrids he plants have a strong genetic potential. "I've never grown 307-bushel corn before, but it's nice to know that when the weather is right, my corn hybrids have that potential."

Johnson's outstanding yields netted him the title of National Corn Yieldmaster from Dairyland Seed. "It's a great honor," Johnson says. "But good yields are the best payoff."

This year, 75 producers entered Dairyland Seed's Yieldmaster contest for corn and soybeans. Nine state winners competed for national awards.

June 26, 2002, West Bend, WI

A Newman Grove, Nebraska alfalfa producer has won a $1,000 vacation trip for four to Wisconsin Dells, compliments of Dairyland Seed. Kenneth Nelson won Dairyland Seed's 'Have More Fun!' alfalfa sweepstakes.

"We wanted to give producers the opportunity to "Have More Fun!" with a relaxing vacation on us," explains Tom Strachota, CEO of Dairyland Seed. "We also wanted alfalfa producers to know that using the best genetics from Dairyland Seed produces the best alfalfa. Planting alfalfa with the best genetics certainly pays off at harvest - and that's more fun."

Magnum V alfalfa has finished first* in 86 university trials in 21 states. Dairyland Seed's record in alfalfa state trials over the past 25 years is unparalleled, leading all alfalfa companies with nearly twice as many wins as the second-place competitor.

A commitment to research for more than two decades has yielded such successes as team Magnum alfalfas; Forecast 1001 and Forecast 3001, alfalfa varieties with maturities like corn; and the world's first hybrid alfalfa - HybriForce™-400.

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a 95 year-old, family owned seed company with research programs in alfalfa, soybeans and hybrid corn. Its breeding programs, include company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis.; Gibson City, Ill.; Otterbein, Ind.; Gilbert, Iowa; and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho, and a corn seed conditioning facility in Mt. Hope, Wis. For more information, visit Dairyland Seed on the web at www.dairylandseed.com or call 800-236-0163.

*First-place finish or not statistically different than first place.

June 3, 2002, West Bend, WI

Producers still have several options available to maximize soybean yields this year, even with delayed plantings, explains Hunt Wiley, director of research for Dairyland Seed Co. "Producers need to focus on the idea of maximizing the number of nodes per acre, and use strategies to increase the number of nodes."

The number of nodes a plant produces, not the maturity, helps determine yield. Soybean nodes are areas on the stem where leaves, branches, flowers and pods develop. A typical soybean plant has about 22 nodes, if all goes well. "The more nodes a plant develops, the higher the yield potential," Wiley says. "So, a producer's goal should be to maximize the number of nodes per acre to recapture lost yield potential due to delayed planting."

Several strategies can help maximize the number of nodes per acre, Wiley says. "Stay with the latest maturing variety that is reasonable for your latitude," he says. "Later maturing varieties produce more nodes before flowering is induced, compared to an early season variety."

Another strategy is to increase seeding rates to get as many plants per acre as your soil type and fertility level will tolerate. "Soybeans planted later in the year are typically shorter and produce fewer nodes," Wiley says. "More plants mean more stems and branches, which allows for more node sites."

Variety selection can also maximize nodes per acre. "Varieties with more height, more branching tendency and more aggressive vegetative growth will help produce more nodes per acre," Wiley says.

Producers thinking about switching from corn to soybeans should be careful to address any disease concerns, specifically Soybean Cyst Nematode, in their fields, Wiley says.

At the Otterbein research station, Wiley often is planting soybean varieties of different maturities late into the season. And in many cases, the later maturing varieties yield the best.

"A couple of years ago, we planted six varieties ranging from group 0 to mid 4 on July 4," Wiley recalls. "All set seed, all finished the season, and the latest maturity variety yielded the best. It was the tallest and had the most nodes per acre."

Wiley stresses that managing for the number of nodes per acre will help maximize soybean yields. "And that's done the best by staying with the longest-season variety planted at the highest reasonable population," he says.

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a 95-year-old, family owned seed company with research programs in alfalfa, soybeans and hybrid corn. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, include company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis.; Gibson City, Ill.; Otterbein, Ind.; Gilbert, Iowa; and Sloughhouse, Calif. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho, and a corn seed conditioning facility in Mt. Hope, Wis. In 1993 Dairyland released the world's first herbicide tolerant soybeans for maturities 1, 2 and 3. For more information, visit Dairyland Seed on the web at www.dairylandseed.com.

After more than two decades of research and development, Dairyland Seed will release HybriForce®-400 hybrid alfalfa to the marketplace for the 2001 growing season.

"Our investment in research has paid off with one of the most significant advancements in seed research since the introduction of hybrid corn," says Tom Strachota, chief executive officer of Dairyland Seed. "In 1998, a University of Wisconsin study reported that there had been little or no genetic gain for alfalfa yield in the last 17 years. Hybrid alfalfa will change that and will have long-term benefits to the agricultural producer."

Field research trials indicate that HybriForce®-400 hybrid alfalfa has increased vigor and stronger plants compared to non-hybrid alfalfa varieties. "We have noted more aggressive growth of the hybrid alfalfa stand with yields that are 8 percent to 15 percent higher over the life of the stand," says Dr. Paul Sun, vice president of research for Dairyland Seed. "We believe that a significant reason for the increased yield is the increased vigor of the hybrid alfalfa plant. Our research has noted that the plant greens up earlier, and shows more vigorous regrowth after cutting."

Dr. Sun and his team of scientists at Dairyland Seed's Clinton, Wis., research facility have been trying to unlock the yield potential of alfalfa through hybridization for 24 years. Their efforts have focused on the development of female (ms, or male sterile) plants. The new patented technology, called msSunstra™, represents the culmination of these efforts. "For more than 24 years, we have worked to identify special female and male plants so we could control pollen flow. With current alfalfa, bees randomly spread pollen and cause inbreeding. With hybrids, by controlling pollen, we capture additional vigor which is expressed as 8 percent to 15 percent more yield." Sun says. "The plants also can take more management abuse and provide farmers greater cutting flexibility with less risk of stand loss when harvesting high quality forage."

Dairyland Seed's HybriForce®-400 hybrid alfalfa will be marketed this year in limited quantities. "This is a tremendous advancement for our research and for our alfalfa products," Strachota says. "We have invested many years of research to bring the most productive products to the marketplace."

HybriForce®-400 hybrid alfalfa joins a growing list of seed innovations in alfalfa from Dairyland Seed. Magnum V alfalfa has established itself as one of the premier alfalfa product on the market. In state trials, Magnum V has consistently proven itself as one of the best yielding products on the market, finishing first or not significantly different than first in 84 percent of the state trials it has been entered in across the country.

In addition to HybriForce®-400 hybrid alfalfa, Dairyland Seed will also license the patented msSunstra™ hybrid alfalfa technology to other seed companies. Expect additional hybrid alfalfa varieties for the 2002 growing season to be announced from those companies who access the msSunstra technology.

"Our elite products are backed by more than 30 years of solid research," Strachota says. "Growers have always been able to count on Dairyland Seed for superior performing alfalfa varieties."

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., is a family owned seed company with research programs in alfalfa, soybeans and hybrid corn. Its breeding programs, established in 1962, includes company breeding and nursery facilities in Clinton, Wis., Gibson City, Ill., Otterbein, Ind., Gilbert, Iowa, and Sloughhouse, Cal. Dairyland Seed also owns and operates an alfalfa seed conditioning facility in Homedale, Idaho.