ST. LOUIS (July 27, 2010) – Many Southern farmers who planted Asgrow^® brand Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield^® soybeans in 2010 are excited about the performance they are seeing at midseason and optimistic about the opportunity for higher yields at harvest. 

Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans were introduced in maturity groups 2 and 3 in 2009 and expanded to the South this season. They enable the same flexible, dependable weed control as Roundup Ready^® soybeans, but with higher yield opportunity due to more beans per pod compared with the first-generation technology. Farmers in eight states who planted this advanced technology last season were impressed to also find 5-bean pods in their fields. 

“Asgrow brand soybeans deliver the performance and innovation that are making 5-bean-pods a reality,” said Jerry Devore, Asgrow Marketing Manager. “Many Southern farmers who planted this technology in 2010 say they are pleased with the strong emergence, canopy development and overall plant health they are seeing at this point in the season.” 

Mississippi farmer Rocky Evans planted a test plot of Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans in a field with about 25 other soybean varieties. “Those beans came up and looked better from the beginning than any of my other varieties,” said Evans, who farms near Anguilla, Miss. “They grew out faster and have looked great all season. They’re a dark green, lush color and I’m anxious to see how they will turn out this season.” 

Reggie Strickland, of Mount Olive, N.C., grew Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield production seed last season and said he experienced a 7 to 8-bushel yield advantage compared with his other soybeans. He planted production seed again this season and said the soybeans look healthy at midseason. “I’m hoping they do as well this season,” he said. “I anticipate something similar this year.” 

Darren Clark said he wanted to try Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans on his farm in Murray, Ky., this season because of the prospect for stronger yields. Despite dry weather, he is pleased with their performance at midseason. “They grew out really well,” Clark said. “They look healthy now and I think they will probably be good beans.” 

As the season progresses, many farmers will begin closely monitoring pod development. Many who planted the advanced technology last season were impressed to observe more beans per pod and more seeds per plant compared with their Roundup Ready soybeans. The number of beans per pod and seeds per plant are two of the major drivers of soybean yield. 

Also contributing to the positive midseason performance is the fact that Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans were offered this season with Acceleron^™ seed treatment products, which provided a strong starting advantage by protecting against early season diseases and insects. 

For more information, and to view Asgrow Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield performance photos, visit www.asgrow.com and www.monsanto.com/soybeanperformance. 

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Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into 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® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.

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. Asgrow®, Acceleron™, Genuity®, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2010 Monsanto Company.