If you’re thinking about saving soybean seed for next year’s planting once the Roundup Ready 1 herbicide-tolerant trait patent expires in 2014, think again. There are many characteristics and traits within the same seed varieties that are still protected by patents. If you save seed—also known as brown bagging—you will be violating these patents.

That’s a conversation that DuPont Pioneer sales representatives will be having with their farmer customers this fall. Although the Roundup Ready 1 patent doesn’t expire until 2014, DuPont Pioneer officials will start an education process with farmers now.