/ -- A diverse group of projects across research and development (R&D) platforms aimed at making agriculture more productive and profitable for farmers, and more sustainable, were highlighted during Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) annual pipeline update.
Using a combination of the latest breeding, biotechnology, and agronomic tools and solutions, Monsanto remains committed to developing and delivering products that can create the next wave of yield opportunity for farmers.
"We're excited about the record progress we've made this year across all of our R&D platforms, as the projects in our pipeline today will help us provide an even stronger toolkit of solutions to meet the needs of farmers in the future," said Robb Fraley, Monsanto chief technology officer. "Through the convergence of innovations in our breeding, biotechnology and agronomic solutions platforms, we're focused on providing farmers the total package that can maximize their yields sustainably."
Breeding Platform
Monsanto draws from a collection of germplasm that is
unparalleled in the industry. Increasingly, thecompany is
using tools like molecular markers to more efficiently and
effectively mine the diversity in this genetic library to
develop elite seeds faster than ever before. In addition to
annual germplasm improvements, three targeted breeding
traits advanced phases this year, Phytophthora Resistant
Peppers, Downy Mildew-Resistant Cucumbers and Beneforte®
Broccoli.
Biotechnology Platform
Monsanto also highlighted a number of projects in both its
agronomic traits pipeline and its yield and stress
collaboration with BASF Plant Science. Yield and
stress projects advancing phases this year are
Drought-Tolerant Cotton and Higher-Yielding Corn. Six
advancements designed to provide improved pest and weed
management solutions were announced in the agronomic traits
pipeline. Highlights include Corn Rootworm III and
Second-Generation Insect-Protected Genuity® Roundup Ready 2
Yield® soybeans, which would both offer multiple modes of
action for enhanced insect control and durability.
Monsanto's Cotton Lygus Control project, the first to
target piercing-sucking insects in cotton, also advanced
phases.
Agronomic Solutions Platform
Monsanto spotlighted three advancements in its agronomic
solutions platform, including a new premix formulation of
Roundup® and low volatility dicamba that would provide
farmers with an additional tool for weed management and a
novel nematicide chemistry designed to improve plant
health. The company's Integrated Farming
Systems(SM) I project, which would tie hybrid
recommendations to variable-rate planting to help drive
yields further, advanced to the final phase before
commercialization.
The following is a complete list of projects advancing phases in 2012.
Biotechnology Agronomic Traits
Corn Rootworm III (Advanced to Phase 3)
Corn Rootworm III would offer increased control and
durability against the corn rootworm by providing two
distinct modes of action. The project incorporates RNAi
technology as its second mode of action. RNAi is a natural
process that occurs in cells to help protect their health.
Second-Generation Insect-Protected Genuity® Roundup Ready 2
Yield® Soybeans (Advanced to Phase 3)
Second-Generation Insect-Protected Genuity® Roundup Ready 2
Yield® soybeans would offer multiple modes of action for
improved durability, a wider spectrum of insect protection,
including armyworms, and the opportunity to reduce the size
of the structured refuge, thereby enabling greater yield
potential and value to the grower.
Genuity® Bollgard® III Cotton (Advanced to Phase 3)
Genuity® Bollgard® III cotton is a third-generation insect
control product that would build on the success of previous
Bollgard® products by providing enhanced insect protection,
including improved control of beet and fall armyworms,
through the use of multiple modes of action. The product
would also provide enhanced, season-long protection to
targeted insects.
Cotton Lygus Control (Advanced to Phase 2)
The Cotton Lygus Control product would be the first to
extend the spectrum of insect control to piercing-sucking
lygus bugs, which damage bolls and reduce lint yield and
quality.
Next-Generation Genuity® Roundup Ready® Canola (Advanced to
Phase 4)
Next-Generation Genuity® Roundup Ready® canola is a
second-generation weed control product that would offer
farmers greater flexibility through an extended application
window up to the first flower and opportunity to apply
Roundup® herbicide at higher rates for enhanced weed
control.
Next-Generation Genuity® Roundup Ready® + LibertyLink®
Canola (Advanced to Phase 3)
Next-Generation Genuity® Roundup Ready®+LibertyLink® canola
would deliver a second mode of action of herbicide
tolerance, offering flexibility to have multiple herbicide
choices for farmers planting the DEKALB® brand.
Biotechnology Yield & Stress Traits
Higher-Yielding Corn (Advanced to Phase 3) - In
Collaboration with BASF
The higher-yielding corn trait is designed to be stacked on
top of Genuity® corn products and other corn pipeline
traits to provide additional yield opportunity. This
additional yield opportunity would be additive to the total
system offered to farmers, creating a package with the
highest yield potential.
Drought-Tolerant Cotton(Advanced to Phase 2) - In
Collaboration with BASF
The drought-tolerant cotton trait is designed to deliver
improved water use in cotton by providing yield stability
in environments experiencing occasional or consistent water
stress. The trait also has the potential to reduce water
needs on irrigated acres. This is the first
generation project in a family of drought-tolerant traits
for cotton.
Breeding Traits
Phytophthora-Resistant Peppers (Advanced to Phase 3)
Field evaluations are demonstrating significant increase in
Phytophthora blight resistance. Elite commercial pepper
hybrids with high resistance to Phytophthora blight would
enable farmers to increase productivity, simplify
management and potentially reduce fungicide applications.
Downy Mildew-Resistant Cucumbers (Launching)
New downy mildew-resistant lines have shown potential for a
distinct yield advantage while greatly reducing both the
number and cost associated with the fungicidal sprays
growers currently use to control the disease.
Beneforte® Broccoli (Launching)
Beneforte®naturally contains two to three times the
phytonutrient glucoraphanin compared with other leading
broccoli varieties produced under similar growing
conditions, boosting the body's antioxidant enzyme
levels at least two times more than other broccoli.
Chemistry and Agronomic Systems
Dicamba+Roundup® Premix Formulation (Advanced to Phase
3)
Monsanto collaborates with BASF's Crop Protection
division to develop improved dicamba formulations. The
dicamba+Roundup® premix formulation has advanced to phase
three, with expanded field trials to begin in 2012 pending
EPA approval. Dicamba is an economical and effective
herbicide that provides excellent control for a wide range
of broadleaf weeds.
Nematicide Chemistry (Advanced to Phase 2)
Monsanto's new nematicide chemistry would provide
farmers with an additional tool to control pressure against
multiple nematode species, one of the largest unsolved pest
problems in agriculture.
Integrated Farming Systems(SM) I (Advanced to Phase 4)
Monsanto's Integrated Farming Systems(SM) on-farm
systems recommendations would unlock proven yield benefits
and help farmers recognize maximum potential economic yield
from their crops. Recommendations would be delivered
through tools that complement and integrate with other
precision agriculture technology to help farmers easily
manage Monsanto's products and recommendations across
their operations. The Integrated Farming Systems(SM) I
project, which would tie hybrid recommendations to soil and
environment based yield potential enabling variable-rate
planting to help drive potential yields further, advanced
to the final phase before commercialization.
Additional Resources
- A video highlighting Monsanto's approach to driving yields is available at .
- Materials related to today's earnings call, which includes the annual pipeline update, may be accessed by visiting the investor section of Monsanto's website at .
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: .
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.
Contact | Media: Sara Miller (314-694-5824) |
SOURCE Monsanto Company
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