Monsanto Expands Refuge-In-A-Bag Portfolio To Include Genuity® VT Triple PRO® RIB Complete® Corn Blend

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. farmers in the Corn-Growing Area now have another single-bag option for managing above- and below-ground pests. Monsanto's Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, completing federal regulatory authorization in the United States. Commercialization is pending individual state authorizations and notifications, as required. 

With this approval, all of the products in Monsanto's reduced-refuge corn family now are refuge-in-the-bag enabled for the Corn Belt, enabling built-in compliance on insect-resistance management refuge practices to preserve the durability of insect-protection technology for growers.  Monsanto was the first in the industry to offer farmers single-bag refuge solutions, starting with Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete, followed by Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete and now Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete.

"We continue to get great feedback from farmers on our single-bag refuge products," said Mike Stern, U.S. Row Crops Business Lead, "which offer the simplest, most convenient refuge option available today. The Genuity refuge-in-a-bag platform has shown outstanding performance and is now available with all of our Genuity trait packages."

Monsanto anticipates having the majority of its Genuity VT Triple PRO portfolio in the Corn-Growing Area available as a Genuity RIB Complete corn blend product for the 2013 growing season as it transitions its portfolio to refuge-in-the-bag offerings in the coming seasons.

Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete offers farmers dual modes-of-action for protection against above-ground insects, a single mode-of-action for corn rootworm protection and herbicide tolerance. The single-bag solution of Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete is a blend of 90 percent Genuity VT Triple PRO and 10 percent refuge (non-Bt) seed. The product helps farmers simplify the planting process while delivering peace of mind for refuge compliance.

To meet farmers' needs, the Genuity reduced-refuge family now offers three Genuity RIB Complete corn blend products:

• Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete, a blend of 95 percent insect-protected and 5 percent refuge seed, offers the broadest spectrum of protection against above- and below-ground insects, as well as herbicide tolerance. Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete has dual modes of action for full-season rootworm control and is a good fit on corn-on-corn acres that can be associated with high corn rootworm infestations.
• Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete, a blend of 90 percent insect-protected and 10 percent refuge seed, contains herbicide tolerance, a single mode of action for corn rootworm control and dual modes of action for above-ground insect protection – including corn earworm, fall armyworm and European and Southwestern corn borer. It is a great fit in geographies experiencing low to moderate rootworm pressure.
• Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete, a blend of 95 percent insect-protected and 5 percent refuge seed, offers herbicide tolerance and dual modes of action for above-ground insect protection – including corn earworm, fall armyworm and European and Southwestern corn borer. It is a great choice for fields that do not have corn rootworm pressure.

In 2013, Genuity VT Triple PRO RIB Complete will be offered by Monsanto brands and licensees, providing farmers the broadest choices in the industry.

For more information about Genuity RIB Complete corn blend products, farmers are encouraged to contact their seed representative or visit www.genuity.com.

SmartStax® multi-event technology is developed by Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences.

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 Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance and in compliance with Monsanto's Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into 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® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.

B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.

IMPORTANT IRM INFORMATION: Genuity® RIB Complete® corn blend products do not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete®, Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete® and Genuity® VT Triple PRO® RIB Complete® corn are blended seed corn products. See the IRM/Grower Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements.

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. Genuity Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, RIB Complete and Design®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, SmartStax®, VT Double PRO® and VT Triple PRO® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Monsanto Company.

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