St. Louis, Missouri
July 20, 2004
Nearly 2,000 growers across 18
states are participating in a grower demonstration program of
YieldGard®
Plus, the first biotech corn product with in-seed plant
protection against both corn rootworm and corn borer.
Monsanto is conducting the
field demonstration program this growing season. The program
will provide participating growers an opportunity to see
first-hand results of the technology’s performance in local corn
hybrids. Demonstration locations participating in the program
will be marked by field signs.
“These growers
have a unique opportunity to witness the YieldGard Plus
technology in action,” said Dave Rhylander, director of traits
for Monsanto. “They can share their observations and provide
yield results to other growers who have an interest in the
benefits of this new biotech corn.”
Participants in
the grower demonstration program will monitor and report on the
performance of their YieldGard Plus Corn throughout the season
and compare it to corn hybrids protected with traditional
insecticides.
Growers will share
results from root digs conducted this month to evaluate the
extent of rootworm infestation. In September, they will provide
corn borer data after observing sample stalks for corn borer
entry holes and splitting plant stalks to search for insect
damage. Growers will issue their final reports following
harvest.
The grower
demonstration program covers thousands of acres planted with
YieldGard Plus Corn. Multiple seed brands are represented in the
program, which is designed to demonstrate that corn containing
the YieldGard Plus technology will outperform conventional corn
with traditional insecticides in insect control, yield and
profit, regardless of seed brand. Seed companies that license
the Monsanto technology are supporting the demonstration
program.
YieldGard Plus is
fully approved for food and feed use in the United States,
Canada and Japan, and is awaiting approval in the European
Union. The technology will be nationally available in corn
hybrids beginning with the 2005-planting season. YieldGard Plus
bears the Market Choices® mark, which means grain must be
directed to a market that will not ship either the grain or
processed products to Europe.
Monsanto
Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products, including the YieldGard
family of insect-protection corn traits that improve farm
productivity and food quality.
Follow Insect
Resistance Management and Grain Marketing requirements.
YieldGard® is a registered trademark of Monsanto
Technology LLC.
Market Choices® is a registered certification mark
used under license from The American Seed Trade Association.
© 2004 Monsanto Company. |