MONSANTO and BASF announce project advancement in annual collaboration pipeline update
ST. LOUIS / LUDWIGSHAFEN, Jan. 8, 2013 – Monsanto’s (NYSE: MON) annual research and development (R&D) update highlighted project advancements across the company’s breeding, biotechnology, and improved agronomics platforms, all aimed at sustainably maximizing farmer productivity while conserving resources like water and land. Monsanto has a pipeline of exciting products in development, including yield and stress work in collaboration with BASF Plant Science. This yield and stress collaboration focuses on key row crops with investments of $2.5 billion over the life of the collaboration.
Drought-Tolerant Corn (Launched) – Collaboration between Monsanto and BASF
During the annual R&D update, Monsanto highlighted the launch of Genuity® DroughtGard™ Hybrids, developed in collaboration with BASF. This drought-tolerant corn system is designed to enhance yield stability when water is limited, providing farmers in tough environmental conditions with an opportunity to improve yield and consistency.
DroughtGard™ Hybrids demonstrated strong performance in 2012 Ground Breakers® trials, with projected commercial products showing a yield advantage of more than 5 bushels per acre over competitive hybrids in the Western Great Plains.
Monsanto will introduce Genuity® DroughtGard™ Hybrids in the Western Great Plains for the 2013 growing season under stewardship requirements due to pending import approvals in key export markets. These hybrids combine germplasm selected for its drought-tolerant characteristics through breeding, the drought-tolerant biotechnology trait and agronomic recommendations. Genuity® DroughtGard™ Hybrids are the first commercial product launch from the Monsanto and BASF Plant Science yield and stress collaboration. Visit http://www.genuity.com/corn/Pages/Genuity-DroughtGard-Hybrids.aspx to learn more.
P-IR-13-01-08
Information for Investors
Slides are posted online at http://www.monsanto.com/investors/Pages/presentations.aspx.
Investor Relations Contact
Monsanto (USA): Bryan Hurley (phone: +314-694-8148)
BASF (Germany): Magdalena Moll (phone: +49-621-60-48230)
About BASF Plant Science
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 840 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed or higher content of specific omega-3’s (EPA/DHA) in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases.
About BASF
Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.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.
Monsanto: 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.
BASF: Forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements based on current experience, estimates and projections of BASF management and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BASF to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such statements. BASF does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.