ST. LOUIS (January 31, 2012) – Citing higher yields, excellent plant health and more beans per pod, 90 percent of farmers who grew Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield^® soybeans in 2011 said they were satisfied with the second-generation trait technology. The findings are the result of a recent survey by Market Probe, a third party market research firm.

“The performance on the farm has been excellent,” said Derek Boling, who farms in Paragould, Ark. “We’ve been noticing over the last couple of years that our Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have more beans per pod. About 60 percent of our soybean acres were planted with Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans in 2011, 20 percent more than 2010. They are adding great value to our farm.”

“Our Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans were, on average, about 5 bushels per acre better than the rest of our beans,” said Edward Carmichael, who farms in Sullivan, Ind. “The Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are a good value for the better yield.”

Based on 2011 harvest results, top-performing Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans achieved an average yield advantage of greater than 4 bushels per acre over soybean varieties with original Roundup Ready^® technology.*

For 2012, Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are available in more than 300 varieties offered by Monsanto’s national and regional seed brands and about 100 independent seed companies. Monsanto expects the trait to be planted on 27-30 million acres in the United States. Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield is the primary trait in Monsanto soybean brands, reflecting approximately three-quarters of branded volume in 2012. 

“2011 was another banner year for Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean trait technology, as farmers’ investment in the trait technology paid off,” said Lisa Flynn, Monsanto soybean traits marketing manager. “Farmers have reported great performance, excellent plant health and consistent yield potential as the reasons they believe in the trait technology. With increased variety selection from nearly 100 seed brands, the opportunity to ‘Ask for the 2’ is easier than ever before.”

Flynn noted that almost every major seed company offers Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans because they know it offers the best yield option for their customers. Pioneer^® Y Series soybeans use original Roundup Ready technology.

For more information, farmers can contact their seed dealer or visit www.genuity.com.

About Monsanto Company

            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. Follow our business on Twitter^® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on Facebook^® at www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

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*Data as of November 2, 2011. Includes all breeding and commercial strip trial data. All head-to-head comparisons are within +/- 0.4 day maturity. Data represents the top performing Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® products (with a minimum of

30 comparisons per product) versus national competitive products by state.

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. Commercial product(s) 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. Genuity®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready® and Roundup® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2011 Monsanto Company