Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that it had completed its $500 million share repurchase program a year ahead of the authorized expiration period. Announced in July 2003, the repurchase program authorized the purchase of $500 million of the company's common stock over a three-year period.

"The fact that we completed our share repurchase program on the timeline that we did underscores our commitment to return value to our shareowners, and we will continue to explore all of our options for meeting that commitment," said Hugh Grant, Monsanto's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Monsanto also has returned value to its shareowners through quarterly dividends. Since Monsanto was spun off as an independent company in August 2002, its Board of Directors has raised the dividend three times by a cumulative total of 42 percent.

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