From Monsanto:

USDA Deregulates Monsanto’s Next-Generation Weed Control Trait Technology

Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^™ Soybeans, Bollgard II^® XtendFlex^™ Cotton Traits Closer to Commercialization

Thursday January 15, 2015

Dateline:

ST. LOUIS

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"This announcement marks an important milestone for farmers around the world"

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its decision to deregulate Monsanto’s dicamba-tolerant trait technologies –Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^™soybeans and Bollgard II^® XtendFlex™ cotton. USDA indicated that its decision will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. These weed management solutions will provide farmers with more consistent, flexible control of tough-to-manage broadleaf weeds.

“This announcement marks an important milestone for farmers around the world,” said Robb Fraley, Ph.D., Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “Weeds represent a key pest to agriculture operations around the world and limit crops of much-needed nutrients, sunlight and access to available water resources. We’re excited to provide additional tools that can help improve efficiencies on farm and support farmers in bringing more food to harvest for consumers.”

Monsanto has been working diligently over the last ten years to develop the Roundup Ready^® Xtend Crop System and bring it to market. “The dedication, effort and number of people that have touched this project has been extraordinary, and demonstrates our continued commitment to bring a range of agriculture solutions to farmers – including game-changing traits like Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton,” Fraley added.

To prepare for commercialization and to further enhance growers' experience with the technology, Monsanto trained more than 7,500 growers, retail partners and stakeholders on weed management.

Commercial intentions will be announced in the near future.

For more information about the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, visit www.XtendCropSystem.com.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, sorghum, canola, and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.