The 2002 new products lineup from NC+ Hybrids features a wide variety of biotech and conventional seed specifically developed from the company’s own breeding and research programs.

"We have over 150 corn and sorghum research testing sites throughout the United States, which allows us to develop seed for every growing condition and climate. Very few seed companies devote that much time and resources to breeding and research," NC+ Research and Product Development Director Dr. Ted Givens said. "In a typical year we will test over 5,000 new corn hybrids and varieties. Less than one-tenth of one percent of those hybrids and varieties will meet our high standards and be developed for sale."

Among the top ten largest seed companies in the country, NC+ has remained an independent farmer-owned company for 43 years. "Being an independent company allows us to select those biotech products we feel will most benefit our customers. It also allows us to be more aggressive in acquiring high potential germplasm from outside sources for incorporation into our own breeding programs," Givens said.

An example of such is NC+’s current negotiations with Dow AgroSciences LLC to license the rights to the Cargill Hybrid Seeds grain sorghum breeding program. NC+ also purchased the Illinois Foundation Seed white corn-breeding program in 1999.

Partnerships with Monsanto, BASF, Gustafson and other companies make it possible for NC+ to offer the technology products producers seek for specific situations.

"Several of our customers want and need Roundup ReadyÒ corn for a certain portion of their acres. Some of the other seed companies are unable to offer that product," said Givens. "Again, it’s our status as an independent company that allows us to offer the best in both biotech and conventional seed."

For 2002 NC+ is offering 21 new corn hybrids, eight new soybean varieties, two new grain sorghum hybrids and one new alfalfa product.

Here are brief descriptions of the new product releases from NC+ for the 2002 growing season:

Conventional

• NC+ 3361: 106 days, high-yielding cousin of NC+ 4119.
• NC+ 4771: 111 days, new high-yielding hybrid with superior plant health.
• NC+ 5051: 112 days, unique genetics, highest yielder in NC+ research trials in 2000.
• NC+ 5411: 114 days, outstanding yield potential and grain quality.
• NC+ 6221: 116 days, unique genetics for its maturity class.
• NC+ 7101: 119 days, top-end yield potential.

Roundup Ready^® Corn

• NC+ 0851R: 85 days, earliest Roundup Ready hybrid for northern and western growing areas.
• NC+ 2021R: 100 days, high-yielding Roundup Ready version of NC+ 2019R.
• NC+ 3701R: 107 days, excellent choice for "early corn planted early."
• NC+ 4121R: 109 days, early 4-series for western irrigation and northern Iowa.
• NC+ 5171R: 112 days, big yields, durable plant and eye appeal in one package.

Liberty Link^™ Corn

• NC+ 3481L: high-yielding 106-108 day hybrid with high test weight grain.
• NC+ 4891L: tough to beat in the 109-113 day range.

YieldGard® Corn

• NC+ 1551B: 98 days, white cob YieldGardÒ hybrid for western and northern environments.
• NC+ 3451B: high-yielding YieldGard hybrid for 105-107 day maturity zone.
• NC+ 3721B: 107 days; excellent choice for "early corn planted early."
• NC+ 4141B: 109 days, early 4-series for western irrigation and northern Iowa.
• NC+ 6871B: 118 days, early tasseler for highly productive irrigated acres.

CLEARFIELD® Corn

• NC+ 2471C: high-yielding 101-day hybrid with unique genetics.
• NC+ 4491C: 111 days, high-yielding addition to the NC+ 3709/5018 family.

Roundup Ready^®/YieldGard^® Stacked Gene Corn

• NC+ 5021RB: 112 days, outstanding yields for mid-to-full season growing areas.

Roundup Ready^®/STS^®

• NC+ 4N41RRSTS: A new stacked trait variety in Early Group IV.

Roundup Ready^® Soybeans

• NC+ 2A81RR: Outstanding defensive package in Late Group II Roundup Ready.
• NC+ 3A11RR: Early Group III, improved version of NC+ 3A19RR.
• NC+ 3N31RR: Early Group III, SCN-resistant Roundup Ready variety with top yields.
• NC+ 3A41RR: Mid Group III, medium-short variety with excellent stress tolerance.
• NC+ 3A61RR: Mid-Late Group III Roundup Ready variety with moderate SCN resistance.
• NC+ 4N51RR: Mid Group IV, dominating yield record in NC+ trials.

STS^® Soybeans

• NC+ 5N41STS: new Mid Group V STS variety.

• NC+ 5B89: Bronze, early maturity, 61 days to mid-bloom, strong yields across all environments.
• NC+ 7W51: White, medium maturity, 70 days to mid-bloom, exceptional dryland and irrigated yields from southern Nebraska to central Texas.

• NC+ 605: Fast growing semi-dormant variety for the southern High Plains.

NC+ Hybrids, based in Lincoln, Neb., is one of the largest independent seed companies in the United States. Farmer-owned for over 40 years, NC+ nationally markets corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, forage sorghum, sudangrass and alfalfa. For more information contact their web site at www.nc-plus.com.