Vistive™ Low Linolenic Premium Market Contracting Opportunity

January 31, 2006

Atlanta, IN - Beck's Superior Hybrids today announces the release of a 3.2 maturity Roundup Ready® soybean variety for the Vistive™ low linolenic premium market contracting opportunity at ADM processing Frankfort, IN.

"These soybeans offer a great premium opportunity for Beck growers" says Jeff Norman, Quality Traits Market Manager. ADM - Frankfort, IN is offering a 40 cent per bushel premium for acres contracted under the Vistive soybean program.

Beck's Superior Hybrids is one of a select few seed companies offering the Vistive soybeans. Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh, Research Director for Beck's Hybrids, says "the performance of Beck 326RRL in Indiana and Illinois, makes them a natural for growers interested in this premium opportunity". Compared to the popular Beck 323RR variety, Beck 326RRL is over 4 bushels better in 2005 testing comparisons.

According to Scott Beck, Vice President - Beck's Hybrids, "Vistive soybeans, the result of over 10 years of traditional breeding efforts, are important to the food industry due to the low linolenic acid they contain". Soybean oil accounts for about 2/3 of all food oil consumed in the US today. As a part of the process of having a vegetable oil with acceptable shelf life, most vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated.

This hydrogenation process creates trans fatty acids, which are known to be unhealthy. Food companies are now required to list trans fat on their food labels. Vistive low linolenic soybean oil does not require hydrogenation to be usable for food companies and thus eliminates the problem of trans fat in the oil.

"This is another exciting time for Indiana farmers and Beck's Hybrids", says Tom Hooper, Sales Manager - Beck's Hybrids, "for growers to provide healthy benefits to the food industry and get paid a premium for doing it!"