Exciting Deltapine Class of '10 Cotton Varieties Being Evaluated by Farmers in 2009 NPE Program

MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 13  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nearly 150 farmers across the Cotton Belt are evaluating the performance of 13 new Deltapine  Class of '10 cotton variety candidates this season as part of the 2009 New Product Exposure (NPE) program.  The NPE program is in its second year and farmer feedback indicates a lot of value to participating.

Mike Hughes of Lamesa, Texas, says, "I am very happy to be involved in the NPE program again this year. There are a lot of variety choices for farmers to make and this program gives me the chance to evaluate some of those varieties on my farm in order to decide the best plan for my crops next season.  Last season, I liked what I saw in DP 0912 B2RF test trials and that experience is the reason I planted a block of that variety this year."

Chuck Coley of Vienna, Ga., says farmers in his area have an eye on the future.  "We must find a replacement variety for DP 555 BG/RR and I think the NPE program will help us accomplish that goal. The test program gives us first-hand experience with the new Deltapine varieties and lets us see how these new varieties will perform in our varying soil types and growing conditions. With the large-acre setting, we get a better idea how they perform on our farm. Our Deltapine representative made it possible for us to access these new varieties sooner through the NPE program, helping us every step of the way."

Dr. Dave Albers, U.S. Cotton Germplasm Manager for Monsanto, says the season has started on a strong note.

"We are already hearing excitement from growers about the Deltapine Class of '10 due to the early season start it got and we expect the excitement to grow as fruiting ramps up," Albers said. "The Class of '10 is expected to raise the bar for cotton yields and provide excellent quality potential when the best performers are made commercial.  The 140-plus NPE growers we are working with across the Cotton Belt play a valuable role in determining the performance potential of these new lines as they evaluate how these products perform on their own farms."

The Deltapine Class of '10 varieties, which include genetic advancements and the best traits available in cotton, GenuityTM Bollgard II  with Roundup Ready  Flex, showed outstanding potential in breeder trials for significant yield increases over existing popular commercial cotton lines such as DP 555 BGRR. The new Deltapine Class of '10 variety candidates have shown high gin turnout without sacrificing desirable medium-to-large seed size - two characteristics that truly impact the bottom line for farmers.

Albers continues, "Many of the farmers who participated in the Class of '09 trials were so impressed with the results, they planted those varieties on their farms this year. We anticipate the same response to the '10 choices.  Several Class of '10 candidates showed above base grade to premium fiber qualities and a range of maturities and plant types in our tests last year. We anticipate promising results in this year's test plots to show the ability to contribute to on-farm profitability.  Understandably, excitement is brewing across the industry for the official launch in December 2009."

Participating farmers were given three to four new varieties to plant for evaluation on their farm, in their growing conditions and yield environments. By allowing the individual farmer to control all crop management aspects of the trial, the progressive producers are helping to identify the top-performing varieties for improved production and profitability in their region. With at least one module harvested of each variety, the initiative showcases real-world performance potential of the promising new Deltapine cotton varieties.

To see how a Deltapine Class of '10 candidate is performing in their area, farmers are encouraged to contact their Monsanto Local Field Adviser. And to learn what other farmers are saying about the new Deltapine cotton varieties, or to find out more about the New Product Exposure program, go to http://www.cottoncommunity.com/ and come out for our technology showcases and field days this summer.

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/.

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Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, such as statements concerning the company's 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: the success of the companies' research and development activities; the costs of and the companies' abilities to access and enforce intellectual property needed for the collaboration; the costs and requirements of regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received; public acceptance of biotechnology products; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic 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 presentation. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship(SM) (ETS). This product has been commercialized in compliance with the ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance and the Monsanto Product Launch Stewardship policy, 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. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship(SM) is a service mark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. Cottonseed containing Monsanto traits may not be exported for the purpose of planting without a license from Monsanto.

Growers may utilize the natural refuge option for varieties containing the Bollgard II  trait in the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, and most of Texas (excluding the Texas counties of Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler). The natural refuge option does not apply to Bollgard II cotton grown in areas where pink bollworm is a pest, including CA, AZ, NM, and the above listed Texas counties. It also remains the case that Bollgard  and Bollgard II cotton cannot be planted south of Highway 60 in Florida, and that Bollgard cotton cannot be planted in certain other counties in the Texas panhandle. Refer to the Technology Use Guide and IRM Guide for additional information regarding Bollgard II, Bollgard, natural refuge and EPA-mandated geographical restrictions on the planting of Bt cotton. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready  crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup  brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup  brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Bollgard II , Genuity(TM), Genuity and Design(TM), Genuity Icons, Roundup , Roundup Ready , and Monsanto imagine  and Vine Design  are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Deltapine  is a registered trademark of D&PL Technology Holding Company, LLC.  2009 Monsanto Company.

CONTACT  Janice Person (901-375-5656) 

DATASOURCE: Monsanto Company



CONTACT:  Janice Person of Monsanto Company, [phone]



Web Site:  http://www.monsanto.com/ 

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