Monsanto is Delivering Better Corn Seed and Trait Technology to the Farm

Date:11-29-2007

Harvest data from more than 15,000 head-to-head comparisons from on-farm trials across the United States demonstrate that whether its DEKALB seed genetics, triple-trait technology offerings, or the combination of both, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is delivering a better product to farmers than leading competitors.

"These yield figures show the powerful and tangible results that come from our elite germplasm, our triple-trait products and the combination of both in one package," said Robb Fraley, chief technology officer for Monsanto Company. "The higher-yielding opportunity of Monsantos products is not only delivering additional value to the farmers who plant our products, but its also helping agriculture continue to support the growing demands for food, feed and fuel."

Monsanto is a leader in both biotechnology and breeding, spending approximately $2 million per day to discover and deliver better products to farmers. As a result, the companys national corn seed brand, DEKALB, has realized six consecutive years of market share gains in the U.S. corn seed market, growing to 23 percent, or more than doubling its presence in the market in the last five years. Backed by the higher-yielding advantage that its seeds are delivering to farmers, the company anticipates that its DEKALB brand could grow by as much as 10 percentage points in the United States by 2012.

Monsanto recently announced manufacturing expansions in Nebraska and Iowa that will more than double corn seed production in both states. The company is investing more than $380 million in both states to expand existing corn seed operations and build two new DEKALB corn seed conditioning facilities. These expansions will help the company keep pace with these growing domestic demands for its corn seed products.