Dow AgroSciences profit rises on strong volume

Dow AgroSciences, the Indianapolis-based agricultural arm of Midland, Mich.-based Dow Chemical Co., saw profit rise to $282 million from $216 million a year earlier due mostly to sales volume.

A mild spring allowed European farmers to plant crops early, and sales of sunflower seeds were boosted by demand for healthy oil in the U.S. and Mexico. In South America, strong sales of herbicides and insecticides were driven by rising soybean prices.