National Corn Growers Association Yield Contest Rules

2024 CHANNEL^® BRAND NCGA NATIONAL CORN YIELD CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDINANCE.

1. Company. 2024 Channel^® Brand NCGA National Corn Yield Contest (the “Promotion”) is offered and administered by Channel Bio, LLC, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167 (“Company”).

2. Nature and Scope of Promotion. This Promotion is designed to run concurrently with, but separately from, the National Corn Growers Association’s (“NCGA”) 2024 National Corn Yield Contest (the “NCYC”). Information on the NCYC and how to enter that contest is available here: https://ncga.com/get-involved/national-corn-yield-contest. While Company is a sponsor of NCYC, Company is not administering, judging or in any way responsible for the NCYC, NCYC prizes, or NCYC’s official rules. By entering NCYC, you are responsible for reviewing and complying with the NCYC rules, which are available at: https://ncga.com/get-involved/national-corn-yield-contest (“NCYC Rules”). This Promotion is designed to support and award prizes to entrants of NCYC who use Company’s Channel^® brand corn seed.

3. Terms and Conditions. By participating in the Promotion, you (“you” or “entrant”) fully and unconditionally agree to have read these Official Rules and the NCYC Rules, and expressly accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the NCYC Rules. You further represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein. In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of Company as final and binding as it relates to the Promotion and these Official Rules, and you agree to be bound by all decisions and interpretations made in good faith by Company and/or its designee.

4. Eligibility. The Promotion is open to legal U.S. residents of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Kansas, Eastern Colorado, Northern Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Maine who: (a) are at least 18 years of age, (b) are members of the National Corn Growers Association; (c) enter, or will enter, at least one valid online entry in the NCYC using at least 10 continuous acres of Channel^® brand corn seed from dealers in one of the states specified above for the 2024 growing season; (d) seed must have been purchased from a Channel SeedPro for the 2024 growing season; (e) must be a confirmed Channel^® Brand Seed customer prior to May 1, 2024; and (f) otherwise meet and comply with the eligibility and entry requirements of the NCYC. Employees, officers and directors, their immediate family members (spouse, siblings, children and parents, regardless of where they live) or members of the same households (whether related or not) of Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and those associated with the development, distribution or implementation of this Promotion are not eligible to participate. Channel^® Brand dealers are eligible to enter or win the promotion.

5. Entry into NCYC. To be eligible for this Promotion, entrants must enter NCYC using Company’s Channel® Brand corn seed. Between May 1, 2024 and August 14, 2024, complete and submit a valid online entry for the NCYC, available at https://membership.ncga.com/Mobile/CYC/Login.html pursuant to the NCYC Rules. Yield results must be submitted for the NCYC on or prior to November 30, 2024. Company is not responsible for the collection, receipt or review of entries or entry materials. Entrant expressly acknowledges and agrees that the National Corn Growers Association is the entity responsible for the development, distribution and implementation of the NCYC, as well as the collection of all entries and the judging of such entries, and Company is not involved in the development, distribution or implementation of the NCYC.

6. Entry into this Promotion. This promotion will run concurrently with NCYC. Entry for this Promotion shall begin on May 1, 2024 at noon Central Standard Time and will end on August 14, 2024 at noon Central Standard Time.

7. Complimentary Entry & Membership Fees. Entry into this Promotion is free. Likewise, when you enter the NCYC, you may leave payment section blank if you have selected entry into this Promotion, and Company will pay the NCYC entry fees for the first 300 eligible entrants. Limit of one (1) entry fee payment per person. Company will also pay the membership or membership renewal fees for NCGA for the first 300 eligible Channel farmer entrants into NCYC.

8. Disqualification. Entries that do not comply with the terms of the NCYC or this Promotion will result in disqualification. Incomplete or illegible entries will not be considered. Entries will be void if electronically or mechanically reproduced, forged, defective, altered or obtained through unauthorized channels or if they contain production, typographical, electronic, mechanical or other errors. Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in Company’s sole opinion, is offensive, contains unsuitable material, endangers the safety or well-being of any person, or if it is determined the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules.

9. Winners. Following the compilation of all submitted yield data by the NCGA for entry into the NCYC, the NCGA will determine the entrants who placed 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd across all entrants nationally in each of the Classes (as defined in the official rules of the NCYC) and the entrants who placed 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd across all entrants in their state in each Class. Note that if an Entrant has entered more than one brand of Bayer seed into the NCYC, Entrant will only receive the prize for the highest prize won among all applicable Bayer-brand NCGA/NCYC contests. Based on those determinations by NCGA, Company will award prizes as follows:

• National Prizes. Each entrant to this Promotion that places 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd nationally in any of the NCYC Classes using Channel brand corn will win the National Prizes (as applicable. Up to three entrants per category may win a National Prize. Winners of the National Prize will be eligible to receive the following:
  • Commodity Classic Trip. The eligible growers with the top three highest yields per acre in each category will each win a Commodity Classic Trip, a total of up to thirty (30) winners. The Grand Prize will include a 5-day/4-night trip for the winner and one (1) guest to the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado. The trip includes (i) round-trip coach air transportation for two (2) people from the major U.S. airport nearest the winner’s home to an airport near Denver, Colorado - the winner and one (1) adult guest must travel from one departure location and must travel on the same itinerary; (ii) standard hotel accommodations, double occupancy, for 2 nights; (iii) ground transfers between the airport and hotel, and (iv) Commodity Classic Convention registration for two (2) people;. The winner’s guest must be at least 18 years of age and the age of majority in his or her state of residence. ARV: $3,000.00.
    
  • Cash Prize: A cash prize in the following amounts: (a) $10,000 to the 1^st Place (highest yield) NCYC national winner; (b) $7,500 to the 2^nd place (second highest yield) national winner; and (c) $5,000 to the 3^rd place (third highest yield) national winner.
  • Channel Award: A commemorative Channel award. ARV: $100.00.

The total approximate retail value (ARV) of the National Prize(s) is dependent on placement in the NCYC, as well as fluctuations in airfare and travel costs, which may vary depending on the location of the departure city and other factors. ARV estimated ranges are from $8,020 to $13,020 per prize.

• State Prize. Each entrant to this Promotion that places 1^st in his or her state in any of the NCYC Classes using Channel brand corn will win the State Prize. Up to 300 state prizes may be awarded. Winners of a State Prize will receive the following:
  

  • Commodity Classic Trip. The grower with the highest yield per acre in each category will each win a Commodity Classic Trip, a total of four (4) winners. The Grand Prize will include a 5-day/4-night trip for the winner and one (1) guest to the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado. The trip includes (i) round-trip coach air transportation for two (2) people from the major U.S. airport nearest the winner’s home to an airport near Denver, Colorado - the winner and one (1) adult guest must travel from one departure location and must travel on the same itinerary; (ii) standard hotel accommodations, double occupancy, for 2 nights; (iii) ground transfers between the airport and hotel, and (iv) Commodity Classic Convention registration for two (2) people;. The winner’s guest must be at least 18 years of age and the age of majority in his or her state of residence. ARV: $3,000.00.

  • Channel Award: A commemorative Channel award. ARV: $100.00.

  The total approximate retail value (ARV) of the State Prize(s) is dependent on placement in the NCYC, as well as fluctuations in airfare and travel costs, which may vary depending on the location of the departure city and other factors. Total ARV: $3,020.

10. Other Prize Limitations. Each Entrant is eligible to win only one (1) prize category. For the sake of clarify, if an entrant is a 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd place National Prize winner in multiple NCYC Classes, the entrant is only eligible for one (1) National Prize, and is not eligible for a State Prize. Similarly, if an entrant is a 1^st place State Prize winner in multiple NCYC Classes, the entrant is only eligible for one (1) State Prize. Prizes are not transferable. No substitution or cash redemption of any Prize, or any portion thereof, is allowed, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Sponsor is not responsible for the inability of the Winner to accept the Prize or any portion thereof for any reason. Any difference in the stated ARV and the actual value of the Prize will not be awarded. If the potential winner is found to be ineligible, does not comply with these Official Rules or declines to accept the Prize, the potential winner may be disqualified in Sponsor’s sole discretion, and in such case Sponsor may select an alternate winner in a random drawing from remaining eligible entries. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute such Prize with another prize of equal or greater value.

11. Other Prize Limitations. All other expenses not specified in the prize descriptions above, including (without limitation) travel to and from the award dinner, flight insurance, travel insurance, meals and personal expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner. All travel arrangements must be made by travel agent designated by Company and travel must take place on dates specified by Company, which are subject to change at Company’s sole discretion. If the Prize winner and their guest are unable or unwilling to travel on the dates specified, the Prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate Prize winner. Travel prizes are subject to terms and conditions of travel service providers. Certain restrictions may apply.

12. Winner Selection and Notification. Within thirty (30) days after the NCGA announces the winners of the NCYC, Company will notify prize winners via the contact information provided upon entry that they have won the Promotion. If a potential winner cannot be reached within a reasonable time period after selection, does not respond within five business days of the first notification attempt, is found to be ineligible, does not comply with these Official Rules or declines to accept a Prize, such potential winner may be disqualified in Company’s sole discretion.

13. Claiming a Prize. Each winner and their guest (if any) may be required to complete, sign, notarize and return to Sponsor an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release within 14 days of receipt of such documents from Company. If such documents are not returned to Company prior to such deadline, any Prize won may be forfeited in Company’s sole discretion.

14. Company Discretion. Decisions of the Company will be final and binding on all matters relating to this Promotion.

15. Prize Eligibility. Receipt of any Prize offered in this Promotion is conditioned upon the entrant’s compliance with these Official Rules, the NCYC Rules, and all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE NCYC RULES OR ANY LAW BY ANY WINNER (AT COMPANY’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS A WINNER OF THE PROMOTION AND ALL WINNER PRIVILEGES WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED. If any provision of these Official Rules shall be deemed to violate any state or municipal law, it shall be amended to conform to such law and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16. Publicity. Except where prohibited by law, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Company’s Privacy Policy, the winner also grants Company the right to use the winner’s submission, first name, hometown, images and likenesses for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes, including print, broadcast and online announcements, without further compensation other than the said Prize and at no expense to the winner.

17. Responsibility for Prize/Taxes. Each winner understands and agrees that s/he is solely responsible for all unspecified costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use. Company is not responsible for lost or stolen Prizes. PRIZES ARE AWARDED “AS IS” WITH NO REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND BY COMPANY, AND EXCLUDE ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Any and all Prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the winner. The Internal Revenue Service requires Form 1099-MISC to be issued and filed for each recipient who received a prize/award if the annual aggregate is at least $600 or more. Winners may be required to complete and submit a W-9 form to receive the Prize within 14 days of receipt of such documents from Company. If such documents are not returned to Company prior to such deadline, any Prize won may be forfeited in Company’s sole discretion, such potential winner shall be disqualified. The recipient should consult his/her tax advisor for the proper tax treatment of this income on his/her tax return.

18. Social Media. The Promotion may be advertised through social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter (“Social Media”). You understand and acknowledge, however, that the Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with any Social Media platform on which it is offered or advertised. You agree to adhere to all rules established by Social Media platforms. Any information you provide for the Promotion is being provided to Company rather than any Social Media platform. You fully release Facebook, Twitter, and all other Social Media from all claims, losses and harm that you may allege or incur relating to this Promotion.

19. Termination. Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion and without notice, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion. Examples of reasons for termination or modification of the Promotion may include (without limitation) cancellation of the NCYC by the NCGA, Company not receiving necessary data from the NCGA to enable it to accurately determine the winners, or Company’s inability to reasonably or fairly conduct or administer the Promotion due to business changes, viruses, malware, security breaches, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond Company’s control. Company reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Promotion or entry website or violates these Official Rules. ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

20. Additional Conditions. Company is not responsible for (i) late, lost, delayed, damaged, incomplete, illegible, misdirected or undeliverable correspondence; (ii) theft, destruction, unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials; (iii) any typographical or other errors in the printing of these Official Rules, administration of this Promotion or in the announcement of any winner(s) or Prize(s); or (iv) phone, electrical, network, computer, hardware, software program or transmission malfunctions, failures or difficulties. By participating in the Promotion, entrant acknowledges that entrant has read these Official Rules and any other terms and conditions, rules, guidelines or policies applicable to the Promotion, and agrees to abide by them.

21. Hold Harmless/Release. BY PARTICIPATING, EACH ENTRANT AGREES TO HOLD HARMLESS THE SPONSOR AND ITS RESPECTIVE PARENT, SUBSIDIARY, AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THE CONTEST JUDGES, AND ANY OTHER PERSON AND ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR SPONSORING, FULFILLING, ADMINISTERING, ADVERTISING OR PROMOTING THE CONTEST, AND ALL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PAST AND PRESENT OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, AND WAIVE AND RELEASE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL CAUSES OF ACTION, FOR ANY CLAIMS, EXPENSES, INJURIES, LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES AND DAMAGES RELATED TO PERSONAL INJURIES, DEATH, DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY OR PRIVACY, DEFAMATION OR PORTRAYAL IN A FALSE LIGHT, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, OR USE/MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE, PARTICIPATION IN ANY CONTEST-RELATED ACTIVITY, OR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, WHETHER UNDER A THEORY OF CONTRACT, TORTS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE), WARRANTY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY OR CAUSE OF ACTION.

22. Disputes. THIS PROMOTION IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE STATE OF MISSOURI WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Promotion, entrant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, shall be resolved INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, exclusively before a court located in St. Louis County, Missouri having jurisdiction. The entrant and Company hereby agree to WAIVE A JURY TRIAL in all actions and proceedings related to the Promotion. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorneys' fees, other than participant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Promotion), and participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

23. Privacy Policy. Personal information collected from entrants will be used by Company for the purpose of administering the Promotion. By entering the Promotion, entrants acknowledge and consent to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information in accordance with Company’s Privacy Policy available at https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/privacy-statement. By entering the Promotion, entrants agree to allow Company to contact them regarding the Promotion.

24. Winners List. To obtain a list of the Promotion winners, contact your Channel SeedPro. For a copy of the Official rules, visit https://www.channel.com/en-us/ncga-yield-contest-rules.html.

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^{Abbreviated Rules for Grower Promotion:}

^{NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to growers who are legal U.S. residents of NY, PA, OH, VA, WV, MI, IN, KY, NB, KS, CO, TX, WY, NM, IL, IA, MO, OK, MN, ND, SD, WI, VT, NH, MA, ME or CT, 18 years+, who (i) are members of NCGA; (ii) enter, or will enter, at least one valid online entry in the NCYC using at least 10 continuous acres of Channel® brand corn seed for the 2024 growing season; (iii) purchased seed from Channel® Brand seed dealer prior to May 1, 2024; and (iv) otherwise meet and comply with the eligibility and entry requirements of the NCYC. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place national winners in each NCYC Class will receive a National Prize (ARV Range: 8,020 to $13,020 per prize) and commemorative Channel award (ARV: $100). Certain 1st place state winners from NCYC will receive a State Prize (ARV: $3.020) and commemorative Channel award (ARV: $100). Odds depend on no. of entries. For a copy of the Official rules, visit https://www.channel.com/en-us/ncga-yield-contest-rules.html. Sponsor: Channel Bio, LLC, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63137.}