Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 20 cents per share. The dividend is for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 and will be payable on April 28, 2006, to shareowners of record on April 7, 2006.

Monsanto Company also announced today that at its annual meeting, shareowners elected three members of its board of directors to new terms.

Hugh Grant, C. Steven McMillan and Robert J. Stevens were elected to serve until the company's 2009 meeting.

Shareowners also ratified the Board's Audit and Finance Committee's appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's principal independent registered public accounting firm for the 2006 fiscal year, and approved the performance goal under the company's Code Section 162(m) Annual Incentive Plan for Covered Executives.

Two shareowner proposals were also voted on at the meeting. In both cases, Monsanto shareowners supported the recommendation by the company's board of directors and voted against proposals concerning corporate political spending and the role of the chairperson and chief executive officer.

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