New technology: new leadership.

AM: Please provide an overview of EMD and its activities in North America.

PS: EMD Crop BioScience is a leading developer of crop-enhancing products. As a science-based company, we take a lead role in researching, developing and commercializing technologies that improve plant health.

Our heritage organization, Nitragin, Inc. has a rich history going back almost 110 years. It was originally founded as the Nitragin Company in 1898 after a Milwaukee entrepreneur purchased rights to a commercial process for the production of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. In 1991, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, purchased the business and it became a part of Merck KGaA's North American EMD group. The company purchased Ontario-based Agribiotics, Inc. in 2006. Today EMD Crop BioScience is the world's leading legume inoculant producer and marketer.

AM: Why did you join EMD?

PS: There's been a high level of excitement surrounding the new technologies coming out of EMD Crop BioScience, so I was very intrigued when the opportunity arose.

I'd seen the research on LCO Promoter Technology and the consistent Return On Investment (ROI) that Optimize had been bringing to soybean growers. In fact, Kip Cullers had just broken his own soybean yield world record using Optimize around the time I was in discussions about the position. I could see this was a very exciting time for the company and knew it was just the beginning for LCO Promoter Technology, as it was about to be introduced to corn growers in Torque IF.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

AM: What is LCO Promoter Technology?

PS: LCO Promoter Technology is a unique molecule (Lipo-chitooligosaccharide) that turns on vital growth processes independent of soil and weather conditions. It enhances the natural growing process of plants. The result is a stronger, healthier start for plants, translating into higher yields and better returns at the end of the season.

Plants treated with LCO Promoter Technology are better able to survive environmental stresses. And when plants are able to survive and thrive, the return on investment is considerably higher because the crop is better able to perform to its genetic potential.

Many soybean growers have become familiar with the technology in Optimize and we've just launched our first LCO product in corn, Torque IF for in-furrow applications.

AM: What do you see as one of the biggest challenges for EMD Crop BioScience over the next few years?

PS: Because LCO Promoter Technology is new for many growers, our biggest task in the short term is generating awareness. We have field data and testimonials that show this technology offers incredible ROI for growers, but we still need to overcome the natural skepticism that accompanies any new technology.

That takes much more than a traditional communications plan. We need to generate awareness among the growers, educate retailers and experts, and get them all talking to each other.

Ultimately, growers won't try LCO Promoter Technology just because we have convinced them. They'll need to hear it from their neighbors and local experts. Our main objective is to make the facts available and stimulate conversation and trials. That's been a flourishing model for Optimize and it appears to be just as successful for Torque IE

AM: How do you communicate with your target markets ?

PS: We have a field sales force that informs, educates and raises awareness among retailers, influencers and, most importantly, the growers.

Of course, our marketing department employs traditional advertising and strategic public relations, but we also focus on generating conversations about our technology and our products with word-of-mouth tactics. For example, over the past year we've held a series of grower teleconferences to spark word-of-mouth communication between growers, university experts and retailers. Those participants will discuss their experiences with their neighbors and colleagues, spreading more awareness.

AM: What is your outlook for the 2008 North American agricultural economy?

PS: The agricultural economy has never been better for growers in North America and our primary task as a science-based company is to help growers capitalize on that by enhancing and protecting their yields. Current commodity prices present a great profit potential for growers and it magnifies the ROI our products can offer them.

It's a great time for North American growers and, we believe, a great time for EMD Crop BioScience as well.

Name: Paul Schmidt

Title: President, EMD Crop BioScience, Brookfield, WI

Career: Most recently was VP of New Business Ventures for Bayer CropScience. Began his 25 years in the crop protection

industry with Bayer legacy company Hoechst.

Education: B.S. in Agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan.