Visitors Now:
Total Visits:
Total Stories:

By GMO Pundit (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last Hour:
Last 24 Hours:
Total:

Monsanto Introducing Drought Tolerent Hybrids in Western Great Plains in 2013

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 17:51

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

(Before It's News)

Ground Breakers℠ Harvest Currently Underway, Reports Show Advantage over Competitive Hybrids

Sep 11, 2012

GRAND ISLAND, NE (Sept. 11, 2012) — For the 2013 season, Western Great Plains farmers will have a new tool to help manage drought conditions with the stewarded commercial introduction of Monsanto’s Genuity® DroughtGard^™ Hybrids. The DroughtGard Hybrids system combines germplasm selected for its drought-tolerant characteristics, the drought-tolerant biotechnology trait and agronomic recommendations.

The system is designed to help the corn plant so it can use less water when drought stress occurs. This improved hydro-efficiency creates the opportunity to conserve soil moisture and can help minimize yield loss from drought conditions. This season approximately 250 farmers participated in Monsanto’s Ground Breakers℠ large-scale, on-farm testing program by planting DroughtGard Hybrids on their farms to get first-hand experience with the new product.

“Early results from our Ground Breakers trials this year are encouraging,” said Mark Edge, DroughtGard Hybrids marketing lead. “Harvest is just getting started in many areas throughout the Western Great Plains, and Ground Breakers farmers in Central Texas and Eastern Kansas are seeing an up to 6 bushel advantage over competitor hybrids. We believe DroughtGard Hybrids will become an important tool for farmers to help mitigate yield loss caused by drought stress.”

Brad Farr, of Cambridge, Neb., tested DroughtGard Hybrids this season as part of Monsanto’s Ground Breakers program and says he looks forward to planting the product again next season. “I think it will be very beneficial,” Farr said. “All the research they put in shows they are committed to the farmer and helping us get the most out of our acres.”

The DroughtGard Hybrids introduction in 2013 will be led by Monsanto’s DEKALB® brand with limited availability in Monsanto’s other brands and licensees. The company is also planning DroughtGard Hybrids field trials across the corn-growing area next year. In 2014, DroughtGard Hybrids availability is expected to expand across Monsanto brands and licensees, providing farmers a stronger line of defense against drought.

“DEKALB is very proud to lead the introduction of the new DroughtGard Hybrids system, giving farmers an additional tool to help protect the yield potential of their DEKALB corn products,” said Rick Myroup, brand marketing manager. “Drought tolerance has historically been a staple of our breeding program, and this product launch is the latest example of DEKALB bringing leading innovations to farmers.”

Farmers who purchase DroughtGard Hybrids must sign a stewardship agreement committing to use the grain as on-farm feed or to sell the grain for domestic use due to pending import approvals in key export markets. While Monsanto anticipates all key regulatory approvals to be completed during 2013, the company will be working with farmers and the grain trade to assist in identifying domestic markets until all such approvals are received.

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® atwww.twitter.com/MonsantoNews, 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 and the previously-announced SEC investigation; the previously reported material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting; 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.

For further information: Danielle Stuart