Field Trial Results in Key Relative Maturities Exhibiting Yield Advantages of Monsanto Genuity® SmartStax® Corn Hybrids

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 25, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With U.S. harvest continuing to progress rapidly, field trial results in key relative maturities demonstrate that corn hybrids with Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) Genuity® SmartStax® trait are outyielding the industry's leading triple-stack corn trait technology.  

In field trial comparisons, the Genuity SmartStax corn hybrid portfolio in the 90 to 105 relative maturity days is exhibiting an average yield advantage of approximately four bushels per acre across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota in nearly 4,000 comparisons when compared with the YieldGard VT Triple® hybrid portfolio.  This figure excludes the whole-farm yield advantage that Genuity SmartStax may provide through reduced refuge, which can be estimated in a range of 1.5 to 3 bushels per acre, based on previous field trials and experience.  The majority of the Genuity SmartStax product offerings and volume of 2010 sales were in these shorter-maturity regions.  

"Even in a year where certain insect pressure is relatively low, these results validate that Genuity SmartStax can offer farmers a performance edge, providing even greater confidence under more typical insect pressure," said Dr. Ted Crosbie, Monsanto's vice president of global plant breeding.  "Combine that with the industry's most complete package of insect control and the ability to dramatically reduce the refuge requirement to 5 percent in the Corn Belt, and Genuity SmartStax offers a compelling package."

Field trials indicate trait efficacy continues to be the industry standard, as evidenced by improved consistency of corn rootworm protection under heavy pressure.  Based on thousands of root digs over two years, more than 98 percent of the Genuity SmartStax roots that were rated for corn rootworm injury, scored below the threshold at which yield is adversely impacted, compared to just 70 percent for Herculex® Xtra.

Despite particularly heavy corn earworm pressure in many parts of the Midwest, the Genuity SmartStax trait package is delivering a consistent level of protection.  Early data indicate a 78 percent reduction in damaged kernels for Genuity SmartStax versus the refuge hybrid and a 70 percent reduction in damaged kernels compared to Herculex Xtra.  

Additionally, with U.S. soybean harvest nearing completion, early harvest results from key soybean growing states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin indicate that the top-performing 181 Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean varieties tested across these states exhibit an average yield advantage of more than three bushels per acre, with a greater than 70 percent win rate, when compared with competitive Roundup Ready soybean varieties.  These preliminary data are based on 16,000 head-to-head comparisons in on-farm commercial and breeding trials.  The company will use its findings to select and deploy the best products for the 2011 season.

Broad variety testing is an important annual process.  Each year, Monsanto tests hundreds of corn hybrids and soybean varieties across thousands of research plots throughout the United States.  These tests result in tens of thousands of comparisons with the leading competitive corn and soybean products.  Analysis of these data enables Monsanto to identify and narrow the pool of varieties to be sold commercially in a given geography the following year.  

This update is part of an ongoing series of Monsanto reports throughout the harvest season, culminating with complete harvest results on November 8, 2010.  For additional information, please visit the following website at: www.monsanto.com/productperformance.  Farmers can also follow product news and performance online at: www.asgrowanddekalb.com and 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 the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

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 Form 10-K 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.

SOURCE Monsanto Company

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