Improving winter oilseed rape for animal feed is the goal of the collaboration between Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), and Sofiprotéol, who manages the vegetable oils and proteins inter-branch fund Faso. The companies announced they will collaborate to combine the advanced plant breeding expertise of Dow AgroSciences with Sofiprotéol’s ability to invest in value-creating projects for the future. The desired outcome is to advance winter oilseed rape genetics that can ultimately provide animal producers with an improved meal for swine, cattle and poultry.

This collaboration will result in the introduction of advanced oilseed rape meal in Europe by developing plant genetics of winter oilseed rape that carry advanced technology which will be out-licensed to the seed industry. This will make improved varieties widely available to farmers. The enhanced meal will better meet the energy and protein needs of swine, cattle and poultry by increasing the meal’s protein value with less fiber versus what is currently available on the market.

“Improving the nutritional value of a locally-produced feed input by advancing this technology in Europe is a significant step for agriculture and our collaboration with Sofiprotéol can make this a reality,” said Rolando Meninato, vice president, Seeds and Traits, Dow AgroSciences.

“To respond to the growing global demand for protein, improving the quality of rapeseed meal and making this technology widely available to farmers is a key priority to remain competitive and enable reducing European protein deficit,” said Michel Boucly, Deputy Chief Executive, Sofiprotéol.

About Dow AgroSciences

Dow AgroSciences discovers, develops, and brings to market crop protection and plant biotechnology solutions for the growing world. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and had annual global sales of $6.4 billion in 2015. Learn more at www.dowagro.com. Follow Dow AgroSciences on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

About Sofiprotéol

Set up in 1983 at the initiative of farmers, Sofiprotéol is an investment and development company committed to supporting companies in the world of agribusiness and the agrifood industry. A sustainable partner, Sofiprotéol fosters innovation throughout the value chain of oils and proteins. These inter-branch funds are intended to improve the competitiveness of oilseeds and legumes crops and promote innovation from agricultural production to industrial and agrifood sectors. Learn more at www.sofiproteol.com.

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