Seed Today

More than 16,000 farmers plant Monsanto’s second-generation soybean technology

ST. LOUIS (May 26, 2009) -– More than 16,000 farmers are planting Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybeans this season, many saying they are excited about the higher yield and profit potential this second-generation technology demonstrated last year in test plots and production fields.

Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are being planted on an estimated 1.5 million acres in 2009, primarily in maturity groups 2 and 3 extending from the Midwest to the eastern United States. About half of the farmers in these maturity zones will be experiencing the new technology this season.

Dion McBay, U.S. Traits Marketing Lead for Monsanto, noted that Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield offers the same dependable, flexible weed control and crop safety that farmers have experienced for years with first-generation Roundup Ready® soybeans, but now with even higher yield potential.

Last season, many Midwestern farmers who grew Roundup Ready 2 Yield production seed said they were impressed with the higher yields and greater number of 3- and 4-bean pods they experienced with the new technology compared to Roundup Ready soybeans.

“Even though weather conditions were not optimal in many parts of the Midwest last season, production fields and yield trials demonstrated a significant step-change in yield potential over first-generation Roundup Ready technology,” McBay said. “Growers tell us they are excited about the opportunity to experience the benefits of this breakthrough technology on their farms this season.”

Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology was developed through extensive gene mapping that allowed Monsanto to identify specific DNA regions in soybeans that have a positive impact on yield. Using advanced insertion and selection technologies, the Roundup Ready 2 Yield gene is situated in one of these DNA regions that provide higher yield potential.

This season, Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield varieties are being planted as part of a controlled commercial release of the technology throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania; in most of Illinois and Indiana; in portions of northern Missouri, Kansas and Maryland; and in portions of southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and South Dakota. A full-scale product launch is planned for 2010, with expansion to southern and northern geographies.

The new Genuity brand encompasses Monsanto’s family of traits designed to work together to enhance crop potential and simplify trait selection for farmers. The Genuity brand will differentiate and unify the agriculture company’s technology products under one platform and help farmers do what they do best, even better.

To learn more about Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans and other Genuity family traits, visit: www.genuity.com.

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