Indianapolis, Indiana
August 8, 2008

Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it is acquiring Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., the West Bend, Wisconsin based business with plant breeding programs in hybrid corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and Bio-Plant Research, Camp Point, Illinois, a business affiliated with Dairyland Seed with a primary focus on licensing of soybean, alfalfa and wheat germplasm. The addition of Dairyland Seed will build upon Dow AgroSciences’ current seeds business and will expand its broad range of product offerings. The closing is expected later this month. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Dairyland Seed has a product portfolio and brand that strengthens our corn, soybean, and alfalfa business in the U.S. and globally,” said Jerome Peribere, president and CEO, Dow AgroSciences. “Furthermore, Dairyland Seed’s investment in research and development compliments our increased investment in developing industry leading proprietary plant breeding programs.”

The agreement includes all crop genetics, brands, plant breeding programs in hybrid corn, soybeans and alfalfa as well as Dairyland’s research, processing and production locations. Tom Strachota, currently CEO of Dairyland Seed, will remain with the business to lead Dairyland Seed as Dow AgroSciences’ general manager for the business. Chuck Simmons will continue to lead Bio-Plant Research Ltd. as its General Manager. Dow AgroSciences will continue to independently market Dairyland Seeds under the Dairyland brand. Dairyland Seed will continue to be headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin.

“The seed industry has gone through some dramatic changes in the last 10 years. And while we’ve been highly successful, our family owners along with our board felt that in order to grow in the future and best utilize our world-class genetics, we needed to align with a leading company in the area of biotechnology, marker assisted breeding and other emerging technologies,” noted Tom Strachota, CEO for Dairyland Seed Company. “Our goal was to find a partner who shared our values, our philosophies and our commitment to employees and we’ve found that with Dow AgroSciences.”

This is another step in the Dow AgroSciences strategy to build a world class Plant Genetics and Biotechnology platform business. Dairyland is the fifth acquisition, including Agromen, MTI, Duo Maize, and Triumph Seed, in the last 12 months as Dow AgroSciences builds a global seeds platform. This combination of companies will provide a strong regional presence for Dow AgroSciences to commercialize its HERCULEX® Insect Protection traits, SmartStax™, and Dow Herbicide Tolerance (DHT) technologies for the benefit of corn and soybean growers.

Dairyland Seed began its seed business in 1907 and has built an established dealer network throughout the Upper Midwest with international sales in more than 20 countries. The business experienced great success under the leadership of Orville and Marie Strachota, entering the field of plant breeding in 1977, with continued growth through sons, John, Steve and Tom and grandson TJ. Primary research locations are at Clinton, Wis; Gibson City, Ill.; Otterbein, Ind.; Gilbert, Iowa; and Sloughhouse, Calif. It has plant breeding programs in hybrid alfalfa, hybrid corn and soybeans. Dairyland Seed is headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin.

Located in Camp Point, Illinois, Bio-Plant Research has been representing alfalfa, soybean and wheat genetics developed by world-renowned plant breeding programs since its inception in 1986. Bio-Plant serves more than 200 seed company licensee customers.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com

HERCULEX® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
®HERCULEX is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
™SmartStax is a Trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. SmartStax is being jointly developed and registered by Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto Company

Website: http://www.dowagro.com

Published: August 8, 2008