Memphis, Tennessee
July 13, 2009
Nearly 150 farmers across the
Cotton Belt are evaluating the performance of 13 new
Deltapine(®) Class of '10 cotton variety candidates this season
as part of the 2009 New Product Exposure (NPE) program. The NPE
program is in its second year and farmer feedback indicates a
lot of value to participating.
Mike Hughes of Lamesa, Texas, says, "I am very happy to be
involved in the NPE program again this year. There are a lot of
variety choices for farmers to make and this program gives me
the chance to evaluate some of those varieties on my farm in
order to decide the best plan for my crops next season. Last
season, I liked what I saw in DP 0912 B2RF test trials and that
experience is the reason I planted a block of that variety this
year."
Chuck Coley of Vienna, Ga., says farmers in his area have an eye
on the future. "We must find a replacement variety for DP 555
BG/RR and I think the NPE program will help us accomplish that
goal. The test program gives us first-hand experience with the
new Deltapine varieties and lets us see how these new varieties
will perform in our varying soil types and growing conditions.
With the large-acre setting, we get a better idea how they
perform on our farm. Our Deltapine representative made it
possible for us to access these new varieties sooner through the
NPE program, helping us every step of the way."
Dr. Dave Albers, U.S. Cotton Germplasm Manager for
Monsanto, says the season
has started on a strong note.
"We are already hearing excitement from growers about the
Deltapine Class of '10 due to the early season start it got and
we expect the excitement to grow as fruiting ramps up," Albers
said. "The Class of '10 is expected to raise the bar for cotton
yields and provide excellent quality potential when the best
performers are made commercial. The 140-plus NPE growers we are
working with across the Cotton Belt play a valuable role in
determining the performance potential of these new lines as they
evaluate how these products perform on their own farms."
The Deltapine Class of '10 varieties, which include genetic
advancements and the best traits available in cotton, Genuity™
Bollgard II(®) with Roundup Ready(®) Flex, showed outstanding
potential in breeder trials for significant yield increases over
existing popular commercial cotton lines such as DP 555 BGRR.
The new Deltapine Class of '10 variety candidates have shown
high gin turnout without sacrificing desirable medium-to-large
seed size - two characteristics that truly impact the bottom
line for farmers.
Albers continues, "Many of the farmers who participated in the
Class of '09 trials were so impressed with the results, they
planted those varieties on their farms this year. We anticipate
the same response to the '10 choices. Several Class of '10
candidates showed above base grade to premium fiber qualities
and a range of maturities and plant types in our tests last
year. We anticipate promising results in this year's test plots
to show the ability to contribute to on-farm profitability.
Understandably, excitement is brewing across the industry for
the official launch in December 2009."
Participating farmers were given three to four new varieties to
plant for evaluation on their farm, in their growing conditions
and yield environments. By allowing the individual farmer to
control all crop management aspects of the trial, the
progressive producers are helping to identify the top-performing
varieties for improved production and profitability in their
region. With at least one module harvested of each variety, the
initiative showcases real-world performance potential of the
promising new Deltapine cotton varieties.
To see how a Deltapine Class of '10 candidate is performing in
their area, farmers are encouraged to contact their Monsanto
Local Field Adviser. And to learn what other farmers are saying
about the new Deltapine cotton varieties, or to find out more
about the New Product Exposure program, go to
www.cottoncommunity.com and come out for our technology
showcases and field days this summer.
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. To learn
more about our business and our commitments, please visit:
www.monsanto.com.
Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through
Stewardship(SM) (ETS). This product has been commercialized in
compliance with the ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance and
the Monsanto Product Launch Stewardship policy, after meeting
applicable regulatory requirements in key export markets with
functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced
from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or
sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have
been granted. It is a violation of national and international
law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries
into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk
to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their
buying position for this product. Excellence Through
Stewardship(SM) is a service mark of Biotechnology Industry
Organization. Cottonseed containing Monsanto traits may not be
exported for the purpose of planting without a license from
Monsanto.
Growers may utilize the natural refuge option for varieties
containing the Bollgard II® trait in the following states: AL,
AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, and most
of Texas (excluding the Texas counties of Brewster, Crane,
Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving,
Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler).
The natural refuge option does not apply to Bollgard II cotton
grown in areas where pink bollworm is a pest, including CA, AZ,
NM, and the above listed Texas counties. It also remains the
case that Bollgard® and Bollgard II cotton cannot be planted
south of Highway 60 in Florida, and that Bollgard cotton cannot
be planted in certain other counties in the Texas panhandle.
Refer to the Technology Use Guide and IRM Guide for additional
information regarding Bollgard II, Bollgard, natural refuge and
EPA-mandated geographical restrictions on the planting of Bt
cotton. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.
Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to
glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural
herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill
crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Bollgard II®,
Genuity™, Genuity and Design™, Genuity Icons, Roundup®, Roundup
Ready®, and Monsanto imagine® and Vine Design® are trademarks of
Monsanto Technology LLC. Deltapine® is a registered trademark of
D&PL Technology Holding Company, LLC. |
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