Monsanto's Foundation of Seeds and Traits Creates Unmatched Ag Capabilities NEW YORK, May 15
NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON)
role in delivering and accelerating innovation within agriculture has enabled
it to extend its leadership, Monsanto's Executive Vice President, Carl Casale
will tell investors today. Casale will deliver his remarks as part of a
presentation at the BMO Capital Markets Ag & Protein Conference today in New
York.
"We have extended our leadership by widening the gap through global share
growth, faster trait penetration and accelerated expansion into new markets,"
Casale said. "From new agronomic traits in soybeans and corn to traits that
enhance yields through better tolerance to stress, we will continue to deliver
new tools to farmers and expect to launch four new game-changing platforms
through the middle of the next decade."
Casale's presentation will discuss how Monsanto's strong leadership and
innovation create value and reduce risk for its farmer customers through
improved yields and crop performance.
Casale will also discuss how Monsanto's yield-per-acre boosting technology
can make a meaningful difference in today's supply-demand environment. There
has been a fundamental shift in the agricultural landscape fueled by three
main factors including, increased protein demand from rising incomes, demand
for grain from China and biofuels.
The debate over using grain for food, feed or fuel is not an "either or"
discussion, rather it's how do we use grain for all of those needs, Casale
will state.
"As a leading technology provider in agriculture," Casale said, "we are
focused on delivering products that can increase yield while reducing some of
the inherent production risks on the farm. This approach allows farmers to
get more out of each acre and ultimately use yield at their discretion."
Extending Leadership
Casale will also highlight how Monsanto's leadership, R&D pipeline, and
strong cash position extends its competitive lead. These areas include:
-- Maximizing Monsanto's Seed Footprint - Monsanto's investment in seed
and traits has created high-value growth opportunities across its core
crops of corn, soy, cotton and vegetables. In its corn seed platform
alone, Monsanto's DEKALB brand has realized a gain of 15 to 16 share
points in the United States since 2001. Outside the United States,
Monsanto's high-yielding, high-performing seed assets provide it with
a footprint for the company's biotech traits. By 2012, Monsanto
believes it has the opportunity to double the penetration of its
current biotech traits from its 2007 levels.
-- Strong R&D Pipeline - Monsanto expects to further extend its
leadership through the launch of four game-changing technologies
through the middle of the next decade. These technologies, including
Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans, SmartStax corn, drought tolerant and
nitrogen-utilization corn are being developed to drive yields to meet
global demands.
-- Translating Cash into Extending Competitive Lead - Monsanto has
consistently re-invested its cash for future growth or returned cash
to shareowners through dividends and share repurchase programs.
In fiscal year 2008, Monsanto expects to generate close to $2.5
billion of operating cash to invest in its next wave of growth.
Webcast Information
Casale's presentation slides and simultaneous audio webcast of the
presentation may be accessed by visiting the company's web site at
http://www.monsanto.com/investors. Following today's live broadcast set for
noon ET, a replay of the webcast will be available for two weeks through this
same link.
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: http://www.monsanto.com.
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; 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 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 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.
Note to editor: DEKALB, SmartStax and Roundup Ready 2 Yield are trademarks
of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
SOURCE Monsanto Company
