Monsanto Receives U.S. Registration for Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete™

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. farmers in the Corn Belt now have a new single-bag option for managing above-ground pests. Monsanto's Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete™ has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), completing federal regulatory authorization in the United States. Commercialization is pending individual state authorizations and notifications, as required.  Monsanto was the first in the industry to offer farmers a single-bag refuge solution with Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™, and this approval adds another single-bag product to the Genuity reduced-refuge family of products.

Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete is a blend of 95 percent Genuity VT Double PRO and 5 percent refuge (non-Bt) seed, delivering the lowest refuge in the corn-growing area for above-ground insect protection. The single-bag solution of Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete helps farmers simplify the planting process while delivering peace of mind for refuge compliance.

"Based on farmer feedback, Monsanto continues to move toward single-bag refuge options making corn production and refuge compliance synonymous," said Brett Begemann, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete offers the simplest, most convenient refuge implementation option available to farmers needing above-ground protection for pests. We expect demand for the product to be high. In 2012, this product will be offered by Monsanto brands and licensees across the corn-growing area, providing farmers the broadest choices in the industry."

Farmers who do not experience corn rootworm pressure have chosen to plant Genuity VT Double PRO corn hybrids with a structured 5 percent refuge. Introduced in the 2010 season, the technology was the first dual mode-of-action product for above-ground pest protection that allowed farmers to lower their refuge in the corn-growing area from the standard 20 percent. The reduced refuge enables farmers to protect more of their fields from pest damage that reduces yield. Genuity VT Double PRO corn hybrids provide protection from the European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, fall armyworm and corn earworm, while offering tolerance to Roundup® agricultural herbicides.

To learn more about Genuity VT Double PRO RIB Complete, visit http://www.monsanto.com/products/Pages/genuity-vt-double-pro-rib-complete-corn.aspx.

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. Commercial product(s) 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: RIB Complete™ corn does not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. Genuity® VT Double PRO™ RIB Complete™ Corn is a blended seed corn product. 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. DEKALB®, Genuity and Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, SmartStax and Design®, SmartStax®, and VT Double PRO™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Ignite® and LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of Bayer. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® and Respect the Refuge® are registered trademarks of National Corn Growers Association. SmartStax® multi-event technology developed by Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2011 Monsanto Company.

SOURCE Monsanto