Print This PageMonsanto Global Seed Treatment Platform
Monsanto recently announced that it was establishing a global
seed treatment platform. The global seed treatment platform is a natural complement
to the company’s seed strategy as well as our investments in breeding
and biotechnology. In line with this announcement, Monsanto announced that
it is focused on identifying new proprietary seed-based technologies that can
be launched in parallel with our soybean, corn and cotton platforms.
-
In 2009, Monsanto plans to treat all Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans with a proprietary treatment. Today less than 25 percent of soybean seeds sold in the United States are treated.
-
In 2010, Monsanto expects to have a proprietary seed treatment for the planned launch of our SmartStax corn product. The agreement with Bayer CropScience is specific to the SmartStax corn treatment.
-
In 2011, Monsanto plans to have a proprietary seed treatment solution for our 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. Monsanto announced that it has already formed a number of strategic alliances including separate agreements with Bayer CropScience, Becker Underwood and Plant Health Care.
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 1 billion pounds of seed each year and sees the potential to expand treatment to new crops and new geographies.
