Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 9, 2008
Monsanto Company sees a significant growth opportunity in
continuing to create more yield for farmers worldwide through
its R&D investment in plant biotechnology and breeding. This
message and other key comments will be delivered to investors by
Robb Fraley, Monsanto's executive vice president and chief
technology officer, as part of the Canaccord Adams Conference
today in Toronto.
"Even
as we live through a global recession, we believe the demand for
grain continues. That demand can only be met by harvesting more
yield, more sustainably off of the same acre," Fraley said.
"Monsanto has committed to doubling yields in corn, soybeans and
cotton by 2030 in our technology, and the innovation unlocked
from breeding and biotechnology can help deliver seed
technologies to farmers that provide yield and value."
Fraley's presentation will discuss products in Monsanto's R&D
pipeline, as well as 2008 harvest yield data.
Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ Soybeans
Monsanto recently completed a preliminary review of its yield
trials and research confirmed that in 100's of comparisons
Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans delivered a 7 percent to 8
percent yield advantage of more than 3.5 to 4 bushels per acre
as compared to competitive Roundup Ready soybean varieties.
Fraley will discuss how this technology will bring a step-change
function in yield to soybean production, pulling forward in one
year with one trait what would have taken six years or more with
conventional breeding.
"Our
field trials clearly demonstrate that Roundup Ready 2 Yield
soybeans provided a consistent yield advantage in this year's
challenging growing season," Fraley said. "Our products need to
perform consistently in the varied weather conditions our
growers face every season. Consistency equals more yield and
return for growers and for our investors."
As
further evidence of growing interest and acceptance of this
technology, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans achieved a major
milestone last week when the technology received regulatory
approval in the European Union for importation. Roundup Ready 2
Yield will be introduced on 1 million to 2 million U.S. acres
for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial release,
followed by a large-scale product launch on 5 million to 6
million acres scheduled for 2010.
DEKALB Corn
Fraley
will also announce that Monsanto has finalized its 2008 corn
yield data confirming that Monsanto's DEKALB corn seed products
consistently delivered a 9.6-bushel-per-acre yield advantage
over national competitor products in more than 15,300
comparisons, with a three-year rolling average at nearly 9
bushels per acre.
Fraley
noted that Monsanto's R&D pipeline is currently being assessed
and analyzed based on 2008 field trials, and he anticipates
multiple projects to advance. Monsanto will discuss its annual
R&D pipeline review during its first quarter earnings call on
Jan. 7, 2009.
Monsanto
Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm
productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on
enabling both small-holder and large- scale farmers to produce
more from their land while conserving more of our world's
natural resources such as water and energy.
Roundup Ready 2 Yield, Roundup Ready and DEKALB are trademarks
of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. |
