Asgrow Seed Customer Receives First Shipment of Soybeans with the New Monsanto Roundup Ready 2 Yield Trait ST. LOUIS, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Illinois, a state that hosted the first field trial of biotechnology crops more than two decades ago, made history again this week with the first delivery to a dealer of the next generation of higher yielding soybean technology. The technology, Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean trait, is expected to be the platform for Monsanto's new soybean technologies in the coming decade. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090204/AQW540) Soybean and corn farmer Allen Pfeiffer of Bonfield, Ill., received the first delivery of soybeans with the Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait at his Asgrow dealer, Heritage FS Inc., in Herscher, Ill. Asgrow, Monsanto's national soybean seed brand, is one of the first seed companies to market the new higher-yielding soybean technology. Pfeiffer is transitioning to be the next generation to run the family farming operation, and looks forward to experiencing the next-generation of soybean technology. "It's exciting to be keeping up with technology and improving my farm," he said. "Talking to my local seed dealer and hearing about the plot data helped me make my decision to try Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield. The whole idea is to help our bottom line." The brand's consistency and seed quality were also factors in his seed purchase decision. "As the seed brand that delivers innovation to the farm, Asgrow is proud to be leading the way in the introduction of this important new technology," said Asgrow Marketing Lead Jeff Wheeler. "The combination of Roundup Ready 2 Yield's step-change in yield potential and the consistent, high performance of Asgrow's exclusive genetics is a winning combination in the field." Roundup Ready 2 Yield offers farmers the same flexible, dependable weed control and crop safety as original Roundup Ready soybeans, but with higher yield potential resulting from advanced gene mapping and insertion technology. The technology provides higher yields by producing more beans per pod on the plant. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are the next generation of the popular Roundup Ready(R) technology farmers have used in soybeans since 1996. "Continued delivery of new technologies, such as Roundup Ready 2 Yield, to increase the productivity of Illinois soybean farmers is critical for keeping us among the most productive farmers in the world," said Illinois Soybean Association Vice Chairman Ron Moore. "We are excited and energized that Illinois is at the forefront of delivering innovation to U.S. agriculture." Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced as part of a controlled commercial release on 1 million to 2 million U.S. acres this year. In 2010, the trait is expected to be planted on 5 million to 6 million U.S. acres across a broader spectrum of maturity groups. For additional information about the delivery, please visit http://www.monsanto.com/roundupready2yield2009/. 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/. Monsanto Company is a member of BIO's Excellence Through Stewardship(SM) (ETS) Initiative. This product will be commercialized in compliance with the ETS and Monsanto Product Launch Stewardship policies, after meeting applicable regulatory requirements in key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Monsanto encourages growers to talk to their grain handler to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship(SM) is a service mark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready(R) crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides. Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. (C)2009 Monsanto Company. Media: Ben Kampelman (314-694-6192) http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090204/AQW540 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Monsanto Company CONTACT: Ben Kampelman of Monsanto Company, +1-314-694-6192 Web site: http://www.monsanto.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114341.html

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