Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company and California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors (CPCSD) have signed a letter of intent that will give San Joaquin Valley cotton producers genetically
engineered weed management technology in Acala varieties. The first of the new breed, based in
CPCSD-brand MAXXA germplasm and containing the BXN® gene, should be available in 2000 from CPCSD.

The BXN gene provides resistance to Buctril® 4EC herbicide and allows growers over-the-top control of many troublesome broadleaf weeds. Registration for Buctril® 4EC use on BXN cotton in California is pending.

Also, CPCSD will contract produce, condition and package Stoneville varieties in California. CPCSD will become a distributor, along with other commercial distributors in the San Joaquin Valley, for Stoneville proprietary varieties such as BXN 47 and ST 474, the second and third most popular picker cotton seed varieties in the U.S. ST 474 and BXN 47 will be available for purchase by San Joaquin Valley growers for the 1999 planting season. Stoneville's BXN 47 also contains the BXN gene.

Buctril and BXN are registered trademarks of Rhone Poulenc Ag Company.

Company news release
N2196