Growers purchasing select DEKALB® and Asgrow® brand corn hybrids for the 2004 season will benefit from seed treatments with Gustafson's Poncho* insecticide. This combination of the seed-applied insecticide and DEKALB's proven root strength can get corn off to a healthy, vigorous start and provide potential for a strong stand and high yields at the end of the season.

"Poncho's broad-spectrum insect control will do a nice job of complementing DEKALB and Asgrow's elite genetics and technology," says Kyle Maple, U.S. Corn Marketing Manager for Monsanto. "Put simply, Poncho is generally regarded as one of the most complete seed-applied insecticides for corn."

Poncho 250 controls seed and seedling damage from cutworm, wireworm, white grubs, seed corn maggot, flea beetle, chinch bug and other pests. DEKALB and Asgrow will offer Poncho 250 on all single and stacked-trait YieldGard® Rootworm hybrids and on select hybrids in geographic areas where growers prefer early-season control of secondary insects.

"The addition of Poncho 250, combined with Monsanto's YieldGard Rootworm technology, will allow growers to purchase the latest genetics from DEKALB and Asgrow, the best available control of corn rootworm and broad spectrum secondary insect protection," Maple says.

Along with the insecticide-treated hybrids, DEKALB and Asgrow will offer 33 new single- and stacked-trait corn hybrids for the 2004 selling season. Traits available will include YieldGard Corn Borer, YieldGard Corn Rootworm and Roundup Ready®. According to Maple, these new hybrids will offer improved agronomic characteristics, higher yield potential, improved drydown and excellent standability.

DEKALB and Asgrow will also offer select hybrids treated with Poncho 1250 insecticide for effective management of corn rootworm on YieldGard Rootworm refuge acres. Select hybrids will also be available with Poncho 1250 for use in areas where billbug control is needed.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.