ST. LOUIS (June 29, 2009) – Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that soybean varieties with the Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield^® trait and Acceleron™ seed treatment product are showing an early season performance advantage over competitive soybean products and first-generation traits in many areas of the United States. 

The new biotechnology trait is designed to deliver higher yield potential to farmers, and the seed treatment product helps maximize crop performance potential beginning at planting. This is the first year of commercialization for both technologies. These technologies will serve as base platforms underpinning the company’s sustainability goal of doubling soybean yields by 2030, compared to a base year of 2000.

The debut of both technologies comes at a time where global soybean stocks are dwindling as global demand for U.S. soybeans is strong.

“In what may be a peak year for U.S. soybean acreage, more than 16,000 farmers across the Corn Belt have purchased and are experiencing the breakthrough benefits of this new trait and seed treatment,” said Jennifer Ralston, Monsanto’s U.S. oilseed product management director. “Early season observations of soybean varieties with the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron give us confidence that soybeans with this trait-and-treatment tandem will be the industry leader in yield performance.”

Early season data from soybeans with the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron for next season demonstrates consistent improvement in plant stand and seedling vigor, as compared to untreated soybeans and competitive germplasm treated with commercial seed treatments, such as CruiserMaxx^®.  Field trials were conducted in multiple locations across more than 10 states.

Today, approximately one-third of the soybean seed planted in the United States is treated. This compares to nearly all of the corn and cotton seed planted in the United States. The value and expected use of seed treatments in soybeans are expected to expand as the yield potential of new soybean varieties are increasing through the introduction of traits like Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield.

“Doubling average soybean yields will take innovative scientific advancement in breeding, biotechnology and agronomic practice improvements, like seed treatment,” Ralston said. “In soybeans, we see a great deal of upside yield potential and we’re very excited about the step change that the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron brings to increasing yields.”

For photographs of early season performance for the new trait and treatment, please visit www.monsanto.com/soybeanperformance.

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.

Contact:
Ben Kampelman, 314-694-6192
 

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, such as statements concerning the company's future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: the success of the companies’ research and development activities; the costs of and the companies’ abilities to access and enforce intellectual property needed for the collaboration; the costs and requirements of regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received; public acceptance of biotechnology products; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this presentation. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.