Monsanto Company and Great Lakes Hybrids signed a research agreement for the corn root worm protection gene. The agreement was signed February 9 in Einbeck, Germany, home to KWS Seeds AG, the worldwide research partner of Great Lakes Hybrids Inc.

The agreement allows Great Lakes Hybrids to use Monsanto technology to develop KWS/GLH proprietary inbreds with the Monsanto corn root worm protection gene. Great Lakes Hybrids can then create corn root worm-protected hybrids from these inbreds. Great Lakes Hybrids expects to
have hybrids ready to test in the 2000-2001 sales year.

The corn root worm gene is also able to be "stacked" with other traits, such as the YieldGard® Bt gene for European corn borer protection and the Roundup Ready® gene for herbicide resistance to Roundup Ultra® herbicide.

Great Lakes Hybrids is affiliated with KWS Seeds AG in Germany, a seed-only company, and has research stations in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Puerto Rico. This strong, proven research program has been able to produce top performing conventional genetics for incorporation of the new transgenic traits. The company has also produced more National Corn Growers Association's Corn Yield Contest winners per entry in the 1990s than any other company in the Midwest. For the latest information or to find your local dealer, visit www.glh-seeds.com or call
1-800-257-SEED

YieldGard, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ultra are registered trademarks of the Monsanto company.

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