USDA OKs Genuity Roundup Ready Alfalfa for Spring Planting

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time since 2007, U.S. farmers will have the choice to plant Genuity® Roundup Ready® alfalfa. Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized resumption of the sale and planting of Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) Roundup Ready® alfalfa.

"This is great news for farmers who have been waiting for the green light to plant Roundup Ready alfalfa," said Steve Welker, alfalfa commercial lead at Monsanto.  "USDA's action gives farmers the choice to enjoy the benefits of this product, including superior crop safety and high-quality yield opportunity."  

Roundup Ready alfalfa was developed by Monsanto and Forage Genetics International (FGI).  The USDA decision comes in time for spring planting, the company noted.  Monsanto, FGI and other alfalfa seed companies have varieties of Genuity Roundup Ready alfalfa seed in stock and ready for sale.  

Roundup Ready alfalfa was commercialized in 2005. More than 5,000 farmers had planted Roundup Ready alfalfa on over 250,000 acres before a court ruling regarding USDA's administrative process halted further sales and planting.  

"The overwhelming positive feedback from the farmers who first planted Roundup Ready alfalfa and ongoing grower surveys indicate significant farmer interest in this product," Welker said.

The final Environmental Impact Statement published by USDA in December concluded that one outcome of renewed planting could be an increase in quantity of high quality alfalfa hay produced by alfalfa growers.  Roundup Ready alfalfa offers farmers healthier, faster-growing stands and hay with fewer weeds in every bale.    

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 Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

Contact | Media:  Mimi Ricketts (314-694-5703)

SOURCE Monsanto Company