Popular grower program that minimizes crop production risks for 2005 (April 1, 2005)

April 1, 2005 – Mississauga, Ontario: An innovative program called FarmCare® from DuPont Canada will once again help growers protect the investment they put into their crops from potential weather-related disasters or low commodity prices in 2005.


“With FarmCare®, growers gain some financial stability for things out of their control like Mother Nature and the markets,” explains Jay Isberg, DuPont Canada customer marketing manager for Western Canada. “Either one can have a huge negative impact on a grower’s bottom line.”


With FarmCare®, growers can choose from three options, depending on what is most important to them: helping reduce losses from environmental conditions, helping minimize crop marketing risks or controlling input costs.


For growers most concerned about possible adverse environmental conditions, there is the Risk Protection Benefit. “This option is available to growers who were members of FarmCare® last year,” Isberg explains. “The program can replace up to 60 per cent of the DuPont herbicide used to treat crops affected by disease, drought, excess moisture, frost, hail, insects, snow, wind, wildlife and more,” he adds.


Rodney Swystun of Krydor, Saskatchewan, who has been a member of FarmCare® for several years, knows firsthand that the program works. “First of all, we had hail and then we had a drought…I must have gotten $25,000 to $30,000 worth of chemicals in 2003 free. It was pretty incredible. DuPont absolutely stood behind what they told me,” he says.


The Value Protection Benefit, an innovative idea first introduced in 2004, guarantees growers a minimum price for their canola crop. If the November canola futures price on the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange falls below the guaranteed price, the grower will receive a cheque from DuPont for the difference. “Best of all, you can still sell your canola when and where you want,” Isberg adds.


For growers focusing on lowering input costs, the Savings option provides substantial rebates.


Growers can become members of FarmCare® when they purchase and apply a minimum of 320 acres worth of Refine Extra®, Harmony® Total™, Triton™ or K2™. To take advantage of the Risk Protection Benefit or the Value Protection Benefit, they must notify DuPont of their choice by the end of June.


“We appreciate our customers and their loyalty to DuPont,” comments Sharon Zadorozny, business director, Agricultural Products, for DuPont Canada. “This program is our way of saying thank you to the growers who use DuPont products.”


Full details on the FarmCare® program are available from DuPont Canada representatives and local retailers.


DuPont Canada Agricultural Products supplies a full range of crop protection products. For more information about FarmCare® or any DuPont product, contact your local crop protection retailer or DuPont representative, call the DuPont Support Centre at 1-800-667-3925 or visit the Web site: www.dupont.ca/ag.


DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.