SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Delta & Pine Land Co.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $.10 Par Value
(Title of Class of Securities)

247357106
(CUSIP Number)

Kenneth R. Cotner
Sterling Capital Management LLC
4064 Colony Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC  28211
704-372-8670
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)

December 8, 2004
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 
13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 
13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 
240.13d-l(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

	X

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed 
original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. 
See 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a 
reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the 
subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment 
containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a 
prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall 
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the 
liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all 
other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).





Persons who respond to the collection of information contained 
in this form are not required to respond unless the form 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

SEC 1746 (11-03)
CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Sterling Capital Management LLC		ID 56-2226389


2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
                                                                 
3.	SEC Use Only     
	
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
      

6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
North Carolina       

Number of			7.      sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares   
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.      Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares

                        
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     


13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%
                           

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IA
CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Sterling MGT, Inc.		ID 56-2226391

2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
 
3.	SEC Use Only 
	
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable

6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
North Carolina       
                              

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares 
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.      Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
                        
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO
		



CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Eduardo A. Brea

2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
                                                             
3.	SEC Use Only 
	
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
   
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States      

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares 
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.      Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
                        
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%
                        
14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
		



CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Alexander W. McAlister
2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
                                                              
3.	SEC Use Only 
	
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
       

6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States      
                                      

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares 
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.      Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
                        
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
		



CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
David M. Ralston

2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
                                                             
3.	SEC Use Only 

4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
        

6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States      
                                      

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares 
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.      Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
                        
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%                          

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
		



CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Brian R. Walton

2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
                                                              
3.	SEC Use Only ............................


4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
       

6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States      
                                      

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares 
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.	Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
 
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%
                         

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
		



CUSIP No.  247357106

1.	Names of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S.	Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
	
Mark W. Whalen

2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See 
Instructions)
Not Applicable    
 
3.	SEC Use Only ..
	

4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions)
OO:  Funds of investment advisory clients

5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to 
Items 2(d) or 2(e)
Not Applicable
      
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States      
                                       

Number of			7.      Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially			0 shares
owned by each		 
Reporting Person With		8.      Shared Voting Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                   
			 
	 
				9.	Sole Dispositive Power 
					0 shares                                                  
			 
	 
				10.	Shared Dispositive Power
					4,176,985 shares                                                 
	 
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
4,176,985 shares
 
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares 
(See Instructions)
Not Applicable     

13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)  
10.8%

14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
		



ITEM 1.		SECURITY AND ISSUER

This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, $.10 par value (the 
"Securities"), of Delta & Pine Land Co., a Delaware corporation (the 
"Issuer").  The principal executive office of the Issuer is located at One 
Cotton Row, Scott, Mississippi  38772.

ITEM 2.		IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

(a), (b), (c) and (f).  This statement is being filed jointly by 
Sterling Capital Management LLC ("Sterling"), Sterling MGT, Inc. ("MGT"), 
Eduardo A. Brea ("Brea"), Alexander W. McAlister ("McAlister"), David M. 
Ralston ("Ralston"), Brian R. Walton ("Walton"), and Mark W. Whalen 
("Whalen").

Sterling is an investment adviser registered with the Securities & 
Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  The address 
of its principal office is 4064 Colony Road, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC  28211.  
Sterling serves as an investment adviser to individual and institutional 
clients.  The Securities of the Issuer reported in Item 5 were acquired on 
behalf of the investment advisory clients of Sterling, under discretionary 
authority granted to Sterling.

MGT is the Managing Member of Sterling and has the same address as 
Sterling.  Brea, McAlister, Ralston, Walton, and Whalen are controlling 
shareholders of MGT and such activities constitute their primary occupations, 
each are United States citizens and each has the same business address as 
Sterling and MGT.  MGT, Brea, McAlister, Ralston, Walton, and Whalen are 
control persons under 17 C.F.R. 240.l3d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

(d) and (e).  None of the entities or persons identified in this Item 2 
has during the past five years been convicted in any criminal proceeding, nor 
been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of 
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject 
to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or 
prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities 
laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.		SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

The respective investment advisory clients of Sterling used 
approximately $96,399,430 in the aggregate to purchase the Securities 
reported in this filing.  All assets used to purchase Securities were assets 
of these respective clients and none were assets of Sterling.  In addition, 
none of the proceeds used to purchase the Securities were provided through 
borrowings of any nature.

ITEM 4.		PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

	On January 9, 2004 and January 23, 2004, Sterling sent letters to the 
members of the board of directors of Delta & Pine Land Company encouraging 
the board to consider recapitalizing the company.  In late January 2004, we 
also discussed a specific proposal for recapitalization and on March 24 we 
sent another letter encouraging management to address our concerns on the 
conference call following their 2Q earnings release.  Sterling believes that 
Delta & Pine has retained significantly more capital than is necessary to 
operate its business.  By acting on our recommendation, we believe that Delta 
& Pine can lower its cost of capital and materially improve the company's 
valuation in the public securities markets.  We have attached copies of our 
recent correspondence with Delta & Pine.

On August 27, 2004 representatives of Sterling capital met with Delta and
 Pine's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to discuss our proposed 
recapitalization initiative.  This proposal was a follow-up to the 
presentation first provided to Delta and Pine's board of directors in January
 of 2004.  Sterling continues to believe that Delta and Pine has retained 
significantly more capital than is necessary to operate its business.  
By acting on our recommendation, we believe that Delta can lower its cost of
 capital and materially improve the company's valuation in the public 
securities markets.  Attached is an exerpt from the presentation used during
 the August 27, 2004 meeting.  

The Securities reported in this filing have been acquired for 
investment purposes on behalf of client accounts over which Sterling has 
discretionary investment authority.

In pursuing such investment purposes, Sterling may further purchase, 
hold, vote, trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the Securities at times, and 
in such manner, as they deem advisable to benefit from changes in market 
prices of such Securities, changes in the Issuer's operations, business 
strategy or prospects, or from sale or merger of the Issuer.  To evaluate 
such alternatives, Sterling will routinely monitor the Issuer's operations, 
prospects, business development, management, competitive and strategic 
matters, capital structure, and prevailing market conditions, as well as 
alternative investment opportunities and other investment considerations.  
Consistent with its investment research methods and evaluation criteria, 
Sterling may discuss such matters with management or directors of the Issuer, 
other shareholders, industry analysts, existing or potential strategic 
partners or competitors, investment and financing professionals, sources of 
credit and other investors.  Such factors and discussions may materially 
affect, and result in, Sterling modifying its clients' ownership of the 
Securities, exchanging information with the Issuer pursuant to appropriate 
confidentiality or similar agreements, proposing changes in the Issuer's 
operations, governance or capitalization, or in proposing one or more of the 
other actions described in subsections (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 
13D.

Sterling reserves the right to formulate other plans and/or make other 
proposals, and take such actions with respect to their investment in the 
Issuer, including any or all of the actions set forth in paragraphs (a) 
through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

ITEM 5.		INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

(a) and (b).  The aggregate number and percentage of Securities to 
which this Schedule 13D relates is 4,176,985 shares of the common stock of 
the Issuer, constituting approximately 10.8% of the 38,550,251 shares 
outstanding.  Securities reported as beneficially owned by Sterling are also 
reported as beneficially owned by each of MGT, Brea, McAlister, Ralston, 
Walton, and Whalen as control persons.  By reason of such relationships, each 
of the above entities and individuals are reported as having shared power to 
vote or to direct the vote, and shared power to dispose or direct the 
disposition of, such Securities.

(c).  The following transactions in the Issuer's Securities were 
effected by Sterling during the sixty days preceding the date of this report.  
On certain days, multiple transactions may have been executed at different 
times.  The data below include the total shares and average price for all buy 
or sell transactions effected for each day.  All such transactions represent 
open market transactions.



Transaction	Trade Date	 Shares 	 Average Price 
Buy	10/12/2004 Total	  3,800 	 $27.55 
Buy	10/20/2004 Total	  8,875 	 $25.38 
Buy	10/21/2004 Total	 16,900 	 $25.50 
Buy	10/22/2004 Total	 10,700 	 $25.54 
Buy	10/29/2004 Total	  3,400 	 $26.34 
Buy	11/01/2004 Total	    200 	 $26.32 
Buy	11/04/2004 Total	  6,500 	 $26.37 
Buy	11/05/2004 Total	 13,400 	 $26.65 
Buy	11/08/2004 Total	  7,200 	 $26.94 
Buy	11/12/2004 Total	    100 	 $26.93 
Buy	11/19/2004 Total	  7,700 	 $26.05 
Buy	11/23/2004 Total	    400 	 $26.16 
Buy	11/26/2004 Total	  7,075 	 $26.94 
Buy	11/29/2004 Total	  3,150 	 $27.25 
Buy	11/30/2004 Total	  5,800 	 $26.69 
Buy	12/01/2004 Total	 11,900 	 $26.92 
Buy	12/02/2004 Total	 16,400 	 $26.46 
Buy	12/03/2004 Total	 49,800 	 $26.24 
Buy	12/06/2004 Total	 87,150 	 $26.50 
	12/07/2004 Total	 182,400 	 $26.28  	
			
			

Transaction	Trade Date	 Shares 	 Average Price 
Sale	10/13/2004 Total	   (200)	 $25.80 
Sale	10/15/2004 Total	   (700)	 $25.21 
Sale	10/20/2004 Total	 (3,300)	 $25.19 
Sale	10/26/2004 Total	   (900)	 $25.22 
Sale	10/27/2004 Total	   (500)	 $26.46 
Sale	11/03/2004 Total	   (200)	 $26.32 
Sale	11/05/2004 Total	   (800)	 $26.44 
Sale	11/22/2004 Total	   (150)	 $25.78 
Sale	11/23/2004 Total	 (1,800)	 $26.09 
Sale	11/26/2004 Total	   (200)	 $26.64 






(d).  The investment advisory clients of Sterling have the sole right 
to receive and, subject to notice, to withdraw the proceeds from the sale of 
the Securities.  Such clients may also terminate the investment advisory 
agreements without penalty upon appropriate notice.

(e).  Not applicable.


ITEM 6.		CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS 
WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

The powers of disposition with respect to Securities owned by 
discretionary accounts of Sterling are established in written investment 
advisory agreements between clients and Sterling, which are entered into in 
the normal and usual course of the business of Sterling as a registered 
investment adviser and which are generally applicable to all securities 
purchased for the benefit of each such discretionary account.  There are no 
special or different agreements relating to the Securities of the Issuer.

The written investment advisory agreements with clients do not contain 
provisions relating to borrowing of funds to finance the acquisition of the 
Securities, acquisition of control, transfer of securities, joint ventures, 
or any of the other transactions listed in the instructions to Item 7 of 
Schedule 13D other than voting of proxies.  In connection with voting, 
Sterling may be allowed or directed to vote the proxies received by 
discretionary accounts.


SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I 
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete 
and correct.

Dated:  December 8, 2004

STERLING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

By /s/  Kenneth R. Cotner
______________________________________

Kenneth R. Cotner
Director and Chief Operating Officer