Increasing Yields, Helping Farmers

I also picked up some great information during a press conference at Commodity Classic. Geri Berdak with Monsanto Public Affairs welcomed the audience and introduced David Nothmann to talk about Roundup Ready 2 Yield. He turned the mic over to a couple RR2Y ambassadors to talk about their experiences growing the next generation soybeans this past season.

Alan Karkosh of Hudson, Iowa and David Sasse of Lincoln, Illinois were two of 150 farmers to participate in the field trials. Both men experienced increased yields averaging around 7 to 8 percent.

RR2Y beans were grown on a total of 13,000 acres and the complete results show a possible 7 to 11 percent increase.

To ensure the seed didn't impact surrounding crops, the farmers were required to clean planters and combines along with other procedures. Karkosh says it was interesting to follow the strict regulations, but he felt comfortable knowing Monsanto was very cautious with this meticulous process.

The genetic trait in RR2Y offers the same RR system, and Nothmann explains the increased yield answers farmer demands.

"Growers said they wanted higher yields and wanted us to invest 83 cents of every dollar to develop that technology," Nothmann says. "Through gene mapping, we focused on more beans per pod and more pods per plant."

Here's an excerpt from the press release provided at the media event:

"With the commecialization of Monsanto's second-generation soybean technology in 2009, Round Up Ready 2 Yield, American farmers will enjoy all the benefits of the original Round Up Ready soybean system plus top-end yield potential.

Round Up Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced on 1-2 million acres for the 2009 season. Initially, this breakthrough technology will be available primarily in maturity groups 2 and 3, where more than 50 percent of U.S. soybeans are grown, according to David Nothmann, Monsanto's Soybean Agronomic Trait Lead."

Click here to listen to the entire press conference.