1 Exhibit 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT The Board of Directors and Shareholders Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Subsidiaries: We consent to the use of our reports included herein and incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Des Moines, Iowa December 18, 1998