Monsanto establishes a global seed treatment platform
where it will identify new proprietary seed-based technologies that can
be launched in parallel with its soybean, corn and cotton
products.
Monsanto establishes a global seed treatment platform where it will
identify new proprietary seed-based technologies that can be launched in
parallel with its soybean, corn and cotton products.
In 2009, Monsanto plans to treat all Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans
with a proprietary treatment. Today less than 25% of soybean seeds sold
in the U.S. are treated.
In 2010, it plans to have a proprietary seed treatment for the
launch of its SmartStax corn product.
In 2011, Monsanto plans to have a proprietary seed treatment
solution for its Deltapine cotton genetics portfolio.
To support the development of these proprietary seed treatments,
the company is currently working to negotiate and finalize a number of
licensing and supply agreements.
It enters an agreement with Becker Underwood focused on evaluating
a biological seed treatment aimed at helping soybeans improve both their
nitrogen fixation ability and overall plant performance.
It also is working with Plant Health Care Inc. to develop and
commercialize a novel seed-based solution for nematode.
The global seed treatment industry generates annual sales of
greater than $1.5 billion, with almost $900 million in the crops key to
Monsanto's business. Currently, Monsanto treats more than one
billion pounds of seed each year and sees the potential to expand
treatment to new crops and new geographies.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Doane Information
Service Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.