eMerge Genetics - Non GMO SoyBean Seeds

Schillinger Genetics Opens Illinois Station to Expand Seed Research Efforts

04/29/2009

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – Schillinger Genetics, a specialty seed company headquartered in West Des Moines, IA has announced the opening of new southern Illinois research station this coming May at their new facility located in Vandalia, IL. (1930 Veterans Drive).

Schillinger Genetics currently has research stations in Maryland, Iowa and Argentina. According to Schillinger officials, the new Illinois research station will focus primarily on developing unique and elite non-GMO soybean products, which will be targeted for food and feed markets and marketed under their rapidly growing eMerge Genetics brand. In addition to field and lab research, plans call for the Vandalia research station to become a strategic site for showcasing new and unique Schillinger products as well as their diverse pipeline of new experimentals.

“Allocating resources and expanding research efforts is another example of our commitment to develop consistently high performance, high-return products for growers. We continue to focus on new, high-demand crops for the food and feed markets that offer growers better premium opportunities,” said Dr. John Schillinger, president.

“We have an excellent team of experienced researchers already in place. We will be conducting extensive soybean and corn research trials from 12 different sites in the area. And because of Vandalia’s proximity to three rivers and grain transportation systems, this southern Illinois location
gives us a highly attractive growing area for identity preserved product development.”

Illinois Research Station Staff:

Jeff Bethard – Station Manager
After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a BS in Ag Production, Jeff worked for Pioneer in the areas of yield testing for 9 years. Jeff will oversee the research efforts at the new facility.

Steven Borcherding – Research Associate
Steven brings nearly a decade of experience to his role at Schillinger Genetics as a research associate. A graduate of SIU Carbondale in Plant and Soil Science, Steven has worked in research and testing for Growmark, Soygenetics and Alvey Ag Research.

Levi Borcherding – Research Associate
A SIU Carbondale graduate, Levi brings several years of experience to the Schillinger team as a field scientist and research associate. Levi will work as a research associate at the new Illinois location.

Future plans for the research station include the addition of a molecular lab in 2010, which will offer the ability to develop and select unique food and feed-grade products. Schillinger Genetics will conduct research both in product development and crop management at the location and plans to add sales and agronomy personnel in 2009.

Non-GMO Perspectives

Let me introduce you to eMerge Genetics™. eMerge Genetics™ is the new brand name of Schillinger non-GMO Seed Genetics, a name that’s creating new opportunities for growers and end users to work directly with one another. The end users are savvy international and domestic buyers who know the genetics they want. They are looking for farmers to grow non-GMO soybean varieties that fit their customers. The timing is perfect. With most soybean brands, the only thing seed companies today have to offer growers is last year’s yield results and this year’s prices. For too long - soybeans, from the seed in the field to the grain delivered to the elevator, have been treated like a commodity. In a commodity market, the only people who win are the low-cost producers. eMerge Genetics™ is changing that. From our lineup of 100% non-GMO soybean varieties to our research focus on high-demand “output” traits like high-protein, healthier oils and better taste to our commitment to helping growers and end users connect with each other through our eMerge™ Marketplace, eMerge Genetics™ is creating new opportunities for growers, end users and everyone in between. Take a close look at eMerge™. We think you will find that our varieties will stack up favorably against any others in the field – both GMO and non-GMO. And, when you get to the bottom line, that’s where you will see the biggest benefit. In the 2003 Schillinger Seed Guide, I wrote: “Schillinger Seed is dedicated to helping the best farmers in the world reap better profits for their efforts…We are the alternative company.” We still are. And, I think you will like having an alternative.

John Schillinger
President