Monsanto to Leverage Its Technology to Enhance Yield and Economic Value for Farmers and Investors

NEW YORK (Map) - NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As farmers in the U.S. are making their initial seed purchase decisions for the 2009 growing season, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) plans to discuss the reasons behind its confidence that it can make good on its commitment to more than double its fiscal 2007 gross profit by 2012 through the execution of a strategy that delivers increased yield and economic value for farmers. That is the message Monsanto Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant will tell investors today as part of a presentation at the Citi 19th Annual Chemicals Conference in New York.

Grant's presentation will explain how Monsanto's strategy is based on innovative technologies that deliver increased yields, better pest protection and lower input costs, which in turn create superior economic value compared to competitors. "More yield drives the need for more innovation, and farmers have seconded that belief by their continued investment in technologies across the agricultural system," Grant will say. To address farmers' needs, Grant will describe Monsanto's plans to launch three new game-changing technology platforms through 2012. Among these game-changing platforms are the company's Roundup Ready 2 Yield second-generation soybean trait platform, its SmartStax all-in-one corn trait platform and its drought-tolerant corn platform.

Grant also will emphasize how boosting yield per acre can make a meaningful difference in today's agricultural environment, which has ever-increasing global demands for food, feed, fuel and fiber.

"To meet this need, we do not have to tear down rainforests to put more acres into production," Grant will say, adding that if Brazil, India and Mexico corn yields could be brought to 100 bushels per acre -- two-thirds the level of U.S. corn yields -- "we could produce another 4 billion bushels of corn annually, the equivalent of the world's total corn exports in 2007. Our focus as a company is to reduce the complexity of technology into the simple delivery mechanism of the seed."

Webcast Information

Grant's presentation slides and simultaneous audio webcast of the presentation may be accessed by visiting the company's Web site at http://www.monsanto.com/investors. Following today's live broadcast set for 12:55 p.m. ET, a replay of the webcast will be available for two weeks.

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: http://www.monsanto.com.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Note to editor: Roundup Ready 2 Yield and SmartStax are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.