NEWS
IN THE NEWS
COMPANIES up product introductions. Product increased by about 10% and novel agricultural biotechnology
launches during the year included prices rose by 4%, while currency and best R&D pipeline. DuPont’s
n A consortium comprising China the virus-based insecticide, effects impacted revenues by 1%. new insecticide, Rynaxypyr
National Chemical Corporation Hasumon Tenteki (Spodoptera The company’s South American (chlorantraniliprole), received
(ChemChina), the Blackstone litura nuclear polyhedrosis virus), business helped increase sales the award for most innovative
Group and Fox Paine Management to control cutworms in vegetables. “substantially” due to higher chemistry, while its Optimum
III, has made an Aus$3,000 fungicide demand, for use on GAT herbicide tolerance system
million (US$2,760 million) bid n Two people have died following soybeans, in the region. Sales was judged to be the best novel
to acquire Nufarm. If successful, clashes between members of in North America benefited agricultural biotechnology. The
this would result in the first the Brazilian pressure group, the from increased demand for combination of agrochemicals
Chinese ownership of a leading Via Campesina, and employees BASF’s fungicide, Headline and biotechnology traits made
agrochemical multinational. of a security firm contracted by (pyraclostrobin), in the US. DuPont’s R&D pipeline the best of
Nufarm has agreed to exclusivity Syngenta. The fighting occurred DuPont’s agrochemical sales rose those submitted for the award.
for an acquisition proposal as members of the political group “modestly” in the third quarter
for 100% of Nufarm shares at reoccupied Syngenta’s seed of 2007. Strong sales in Europe n Two Chinese agrochemical
Aus$17.25 per share. The effective research facility in Parana,Brazil, and Latin America were offset by companies were evicted from the
bid price per share could finally Syngenta says. One member of declines in North America, the BCPC Congress in Glasgow, UK,
work out to be Aus$17.55 as Via Campesina and one of the company says. Earnings were up in October for violating UK patent
Nufarm will pay a dividend of up to security personnel died after the “significantly”, driven by cost law. It was the third consecutive
Aus$0.30 per share based on the confrontation, and a further eight competitiveness programmes, year that the organisers removed
company’s earnings and cashflow people were injured. it adds. Third-quarter sales of companies from the exhibition hall
prior to the acquisition. DuPont’s agriculture and nutrition for patent infringement. Companies
n Monsanto has lost a UK High business rose by 21% to US$1,067 whose patents were infringed
n The US agrochemical company, Court case against the agricultural million, with volumes up by 11% were BASF, Bayer CropScience,
American Vanguard (Amvac - LA, products company, Cargill and prices by 10%. Agrochemicals Dow AgroSciences, DuPont and
California), has exercised an International, for breach of its UK account for about 36% of Syngenta.
option to acquire one of BASF’s patent on genetically modified agriculture and nutrition segment
insecticide manufacturing glyphosate tolerant Roundup revenues. Sales of DuPont’s n Strong maize seed and trait
facilities in Hannibal, Missouri. Ready soybean technology. Cargill seed subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred revenues and higher-than-expected
The plant manufactures the was exporting soybean meal that International, jumped by 85% to demand for Roundup (glyphosate)
organophosphate insecticides, was produced from Roundup US$323 million in the third quarter. herbicide resulted in a 17.4%
Counter (terbufos) and Thimet Ready soybeans in Argentina. increase in Monsanto’s sales to
(phorate), which Amvac acquired The defeat is the second reverse n Increased sales in all regions US$8,563 million in fiscal 2007.
from BASF in 2005 and 2006, for the company in its efforts to resulted in a 6.8% rise in FMC’s These gains were partially offset
respectively. The deal, which collect payments for the use of its agrochemical sales to US$192.7 by lower revenues from the
covers just one of the five plants at technology in Argentina million in the third quarter of company’s soybean and cotton
BASF’s Hannibal site, is expected Latin America was the main growth 2007. Growth was particularly seed businesses in the year ended
to be completed in late December. driver in Dow AgroSciences’ 19% strong in Europe, Brazil and parts August 31st 2007. Net income was
increase in sales to US$788 million of Asia, the company says. The up by 44.1% to US$993 million.
in the third quarter of 2007. higher sales, coupled with supply Monsanto’s gross profit rose by
However, the company saw volume chain productivity improvements, 21.8% to US$4,286 million,with
gains in all other regions, resulting boosted pretax earnings by 37.5% gross profit margin up by two
in an “outstanding quarter . . . to US$39.2 million. percentage points to 50%. This
consistent with what we’ve seen puts the company “well on track”
all year”, Dow says. The company n DuPont was the big winner to achieve its projected profit
posted double-digit volume gains at Agrow’s inaugural industry margin of 52-54% by 2010, says
n Nippon Kayaku recorded a for both its agrochemical and seed awards ceremony, which was Monsanto’s chairman, president
2% rise in agrochemical sales to businesses in the three-month held in association with the BCPC and CEO, Hugh Grant.
¥8,740 million (US$75 million) in period. in Glasgow, UK, this month. Dr
the year to May 31st 2007. Exports John Bedbrook, vice-president of n United Phosphorus is planning a
accounted for 20% of sales. The n BASF’s agrochemical sales agriculture and nutrition research bid to acquire a “major Asia-based
company has reorganised its went up by 12.8% to €574 and development, picked up three company in the agrochemicals
business in recent years to boost million (US$789 million) in the awards on behalf of the company sector, of a size substantially
marketing activities and speed third quarter of 2007. Volumes for most innovative chemistry, best similar to us”. The company is in
 December 2007  •   www.agrow.com
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