Print This PageQ&A with Randy Dismuke
Transcript: Q&A with Randy Dismuke
How will cotton producers benefit by Monsanto's acquisition of Delta
and Pine Land?
Cotton producers will benefit by Monsanto’s acquisition of Delta and
Pine Land by seeing a continuing pipeline of improved products that add value
for them at the farm level. Delta and Pine Land has nearly 100 years
history of cotton production with a focus on products that contribute value
opportunity for the cotton producer. The combination of Monsanto’s
breeding and technology tools with D&PL’s germplasm base will lead
quickly to the next generation of technologies, such as water use efficiency,
ligusprotection and fiber quality improvements that will be available for these
U.S. cotton producers and will continue the D&PL tradition of adding value. It
will also provide the ability to bring producers these latest biotech traits
into more seed varieties much faster than what’s occurred in the past. And
the acquisition further focuses Monsanto’s efforts on cotton and could
lead to an increase in competitive investment in the U.S. cotton industry.
These new investments will ultimately help U.S. cotton producers to be highly
competitive and profitable in the global marketplace.
How with the new Delta & Pine Land organization
and Monsanto operate in the months and years ahead?
The new Delta and Pine Land organization and Monsanto’s operation will
first focus on delivering our commitments to ensure that customers have a successful
2007 season. The planting season is a crucial time for our customers,
and our focus will be to ensure that they have the seed available to them on
their farms when it’s needed. Delta and Pine Land Company will
be owned and operated by Monsanto Company once the acquisition is completed. Delta
and Pine Land is a Southern business and, understanding how important the customer
connection is, Monsanto will maintain operations in Scott, Mississippi, and
Memphis, Tennessee. Monsanto will communicate any organizational and
structure changes as soon as practicable. The company will begin implementing
these changes following the 2007 planting season.
Is there anything else you would like to say to D&PL customers?
As Delta and Pine Land Company, we would like to specifically say thanks to
our current U.S. cotton producers who have been customers of ours for years
and who have placed confidence in Delta and Pine Land by allowing us to be
a critical part of their farming operation. Variety and technology
choices are among the first decisions made for producers’ farms and
D&PL is pleased to have earned the right to be that choice more often
than any other cottonseed company in the U.S. As part of the relationship,
both Delta and Pine Land Company and the cotton producer depend on the distribution
system of local retail stores to deliver Deltapine seed to the farm in a
timely manner, and we thank those retailers for that effort as well. As
a combined organization, D&PL and Monsanto will continue to earn the
U.S. producers’ support and confidence by delivering improved products
in the future.
