On April 15, 2003, DuPont and its subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., and Monsanto Company agreed to a worldwide licensing agreement to Monsanto's recently approved YieldGard Rootworm insect-protected corn technology. Consequently, the Cry3Bb1 protein for protection against corn rootworm larvae will be available in even more hybrids than had been anticipated when Monsanto first received registration of YieldGard Rootworm corn on February 25, 2003.

As we indicated in an article ("Transgenic Corn Rootworm Hybrids: A Promising IPM Tool, Yet Important Concerns Linger") in issue no. 1 (March 21, 2003) of the Bulletin, the registration of this exciting new technology adds yet another tool to the toolbox for growers who need to manage corn rootworms. It's important to repeat, however, that implementation of a required insect-resistance management strategy is crucial for the future of this technology. For more details about this, please read the article that follows.--Kevin Steffey and Mike Gray