Monsanto Announces 2008 Preliminary Corn Yield Data; Head-to-Head Trials Underscore Economic Value U.S. Farmers Receive From Mon
November 18 2008 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Yield data highlights that farmers see strong boost from DEKALB and
American Seeds Inc. genetics, receive $25 to $65 in additional
value per acre using DEKALB products ST. LOUIS, Nov. 18
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While the U.S. harvest season is tracking
slightly behind the national historic average, preliminary yield
results reveal that corn seed products offered by Monsanto's DEKALB
and American Seeds Inc. (ASI) brands are delivering opportunities
for greater productivity and profitability to farmers than leading
competitive products. "A farmer's investment in our business
demands that we discover and deliver higher-yielding products,
which create a strong economic return to their farm and their
bottom line," said Robert T. Fraley, Ph.D., executive vice
president and chief technology officer at Monsanto. "New data
collected from the 2008 season underscores that our corn seed
brands are doing just that." Monsanto recently completed a
preliminary review of its yield trials conducted throughout the
Corn Belt. This year's data set, which is generated by third
parties as well as the company, highlight that: -- Farmers planting
DEKALB corn seed products realize greater profitability,
productivity per acre: Research generated at more than 12,800
head-to-head comparisons validate that farmers who use DEKALB corn
seed and trait products are seeing higher yields and better harvest
moisture. The 2008 data underscores that farmers who use DEKALB
corn seed realized $25 to $65 in additional value per acre when
compared with the leading national competitive seed offerings. --
DEKALB and ASI corn seed products deliver more yield to the farm:
-- Data collected from more than 12,800 research comparisons
demonstrate that nationally, the five leading DEKALB corn seed
products outyielded national competitive corn seed products by 9.8
bushels per acre. Monsanto's DEKALB brand also outyielded Pioneer's
competitive corn seed products by 8.8 bushels per acre in data
collected from 9,870 head-to-head comparisons throughout the Corn
Belt. -- Preliminary data collected from 418 locations throughout
the Corn Belt demonstrate that the five leading ASI corn seed
products are delivering more than 7 bushels per acre than leading
national competitors. ASI's yield advantage was most striking in
the 110-day and 115-day relative maturity (RM) zones. The ASI
products delivered a yield advantage of more than 11 bushels per
acre in the 110-day RM zone and 10 bushels per acre in the 115-day
RM zone. Monsanto reports its yield trial data annually so that
farmers benefit from a pre-season guide to the on-farm value
proposition of the company's products. This approach ensures that
all seed products are thoroughly tested and delivering on their
potential prior to a farmer ever planting a new hybrid in the
field. In conjunction with today's announcement, Monsanto posted a
related presentation to the Investor section of its web site at
http://www.monsanto.com/investors. Growing yield for a growing
world With growing demand for grain globally, enabling farmers to
increase their productivity on each acre of farmland is critical.
Yield represents not only profitability on farm, but is also a
means to support our world's growing food, feed and fuel needs.
Earlier this year, Monsanto announced an ambitious three-point
commitment aimed at producing more on each acre of farmland,
conserving more of our natural resources and improving the lives of
the farmers it serves. As part of this effort, the company
announced its intent to double the crop yields of corn, soybeans
and cotton by 2030 compared to a base year of 2000 in countries
where it is able to offer its technology to farmers. The
compilation of data collected from the 2008 season underscores the
yield advantage that Monsanto's products are already providing to
U.S. corn and soybean farmers. Monsanto's investment in breeding
and biotechnology are just two ways the company is actively working
to increase productivity on each acre of farmland. The St.
Louis-based company spends more than $2.6 million per day to
discover and deliver better seed products to both large-scale and
small-holder farmers throughout the world. 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: http://www.monsanto.com/. To learn more
about this year's harvest season, please visit Monsanto harvest
videos. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking
Information: Certain statements contained in this release are
"forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the
company's anticipated financial results, current and 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: continued competition in
seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to
various contingencies, including those related to intellectual
property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which
approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology
products; the success of the company's research and development
activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to
foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent
acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with
regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the
company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the
company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to
obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of
weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the
agriculture business or the company's facilities; 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 release. The company disclaims any current intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the
factors that may affect actual results. Note to editors: DEKALB is
a trademark of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Pioneer is a registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc. DATASOURCE: Monsanto Company CONTACT: Mimi Ricketts,
+1-314-694-5703, or Justin Gioia +1-314-694-4003, both for Monsanto
Company Web site: http://www.monsanto.com/ Company News On-Call:
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