Viterra Introduces VAST Canola Trials to Western Canada

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - July 6, 2011) - Viterra Inc. (TSX:VT) (ASX:VTA) today announced that Viterra Agronomic System Trials (VAST) will be staged throughout Western Canada during the 2011 growing season.

The VAST canola trials provide producers with the opportunity to plant 6 canola hybrids from competing manufacturers in 10 acre plots. There will be 45 VAST test sites across the canola growing regions of Western Canada, with each test site providing farmers the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison of popular competing commercial hybrids including Viterra's newest experimental Genuity® Roundup Ready® (GENRR) products.

"While yield is always important, the VAST canola trials give farmers a chance to see how a hybrid will perform in an actual production environment", commented Monte Kesslering, Vice President, Seed & Crop Protection for Viterra. "Replicated small plot work provides excellent yield comparisons when looking at large numbers of hybrids. The VAST Canola field trials will provide a better evaluation of lodging resistance and harvestability, both of great importance to farmers."

Viterra will be including 2 new experimental hybrids from their VT Genetics program as part of these trials. Two years of test results indicate that VT Genetics hybrids are surpassing existing Genuity® Roundup Ready® hybrids by as much as 5 to 10%. Both VT Genetics canola varieties are in the final year of co-operative registration trials, with potential availability for the 2012 planting season.

The 45 VAST canola trials, along with 25 smaller plot trials called the Canola Performance Checks (CPC), will provide additional results on yield potential in 2011 growing conditions. The VAST canola trials and Canola Performance Checks are being coordinated and managed by Viterra's local agronomists with tours being coordinated throughout the summer through local Ag-Retail locations.

About Viterra

Viterra provides premium quality ingredients to leading global food manufacturers. Headquartered in Canada, the global agri-business has extensive operations across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Our growing international presence also extends to offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany and India. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, we operate in three distinct businesses: grain handling and marketing, agri-products, and processing. Viterra's expertise, close relationships with producers, and superior logistical assets allow the Company to consistently meet the needs of the most discerning end-use customers, helping to fulfill the nutritional needs of people around the world.