ASGROW LogoAsgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield

Asgrow® Delivers the Next Generation of Soybean Technology    Press Kit

There's a new reason to plant more Asgrow® soybeans this season. The brand that delivers the industry's most consistent genetics introduces the next generation of yield-enhancing traits – new Asgrow® Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybeans.

Asgrow is continuously researching new products and delivering new innovations to farmers. Asgrow is leading the way with volume and products containing Roundup Ready 2 Yield, the soybean technology that takes yields to a whole new level. The technology will be planted on up to 2 million acres in 2009, and a full-scale 5- to 6-million-acre launch is planned in 2010.

You can count on the combination of high-performing Asgrow genetics and Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology to deliver consistently high yield potential in addition to the same dependable, flexible weed control and crop safety that you expect from the Roundup Ready® System – now with even higher yield potential.

Power in the Pod™

Did you know that six beans per soybean plant is what it takes to achieve a 4+ bushel-per-acre yield advantage? This is the proven yield increase farmers can experience when they plant Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield. This can translate into more than $45.00 profit per acre.*

In over four years of Monsanto field trials across six states, comparing near-isogenic lines, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans consistently delivered 7 percent to 11 percent higher yields than Roundup Ready soybeans. Observations have shown this higher yield is driven by more beans per pod with Roundup Ready 2 Yield compared to first-generation technology.

In over four years of Monsanto field trials across six states, comparing near-isogenic lines, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans consistently delivered 7 percent to 11 percent higher yields than Roundup Ready soybeans. Observations have shown this higher yield is driven by more beans per pod with Roundup Ready 2 Yield compared to first-generation technology.

Roundup Ready 2 Yield was developed through extensive gene mapping that allowed Monsanto to identify specific DNA regions in soybeans that have a positive impact on yield. Thanks to advanced insertion and selection technologies, the Roundup Ready 2 Yield gene is situated in one of these high-yield DNA regions.

The result? A proven yield advantage across maturities.

Proven Yield Advantage

Coming Soon to a Farm Near You

This breakthrough technology is initially available primarily in maturity groups 2 and 3, where more than 50 percent of U.S. soybeans are grown. It is now available in all of Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania; most of Illinois and Indiana; portions of northern Missouri, Kansas and Maryland, and portions of southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and South Dakota. A full-scale product launch will take place in 2010. So no matter where you farm, you will soon be able to try high-yielding Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean products for yourself.

Innovations in Seed Treatment

Acceleron Asgrow is committed to delivering novel products and technologies that enhance farmers' yield potential and profitability. Our new proprietary seed treatment, Acceleron™, designed specifically for Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans, delivers more value by providing early-season protection against diseases such as pythium, phytophthora, rhizoctonia and fusarium. By providing better plant health, this innovative seed treatment maximizes the performance potential of Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans.

Innovations in Packaging

Asgrow has also introduced the Asgrow AccuSure™ Seed Count System for its Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean seed in both paper and mini-bulk bags. The increased precision in seed count will give farmers the ability to move seamlessly from seed purchases to field planting calculations.

Asgrow has taken the guesswork out of bulk seed packaging by selling seed by count instead of by weight. Each bag of Asgrow Brand Roundup Ready 2 Yield seed, regardless of variety, will provide the same number soybean seed. Farmers will be able to expect a consistent 140,000 seed in every bag. Mini-bulk units will contain the equivalent of 40 bags or a consistent 5.6 million seed. The physical size of the bag may vary but the seed count will remain consistent, just like corn or cotton products. This means that inventory management and invoicing will be simplified for farmers and dealers alike. The Asgrow AccuSure Seed Count System provides equitable value to farmers so they know exactly how many units to buy based on the number of acres they need to plant.

Are You Up for the Challenge?
Introducing the Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield Challenge

To generate enthusiasm for the launch of this new Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology, we are inviting farmers who plant it to participate in the first-ever Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield Challenge. Farmers across the country will compete for the highest yielding Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield field. One lucky grand prize winner will win an Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield fishing boat.

Enrolling in the challenge is simple. Book any variety of Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield seed before February 1, 2009, to receive a free yield kit with agronomic tips and other information. Then enroll for your chance to win a new fishing boat and other great prizes as part of our Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield Challenge. For official rules, click here.

Only the Strongest Soybean Varieties Remain

After extensive testing on more than 10,000 unique soybean lines, only the top-performing Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield products remain. We are excited to announce this year's winning lineup of Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Yield products, which range from late-group 2 to mid-group 3 maturities. Click here to learn more about these products and visit our online Seed Resource Guide to learn what's available in your area.

* Based on 9 percent yield increase over 50 bu./acre yields at $10 bu. soybean prices

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® agricultural herbicides. Roundup® agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. When Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybeans are made available for commercial release and use, they will be subject to Monsanto Company's comprehensive stewardship plans consistent with its Stewardship Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean seed and any product of a Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean seed or crop 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. Asgrow® and the A Design® and Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2008 Monsanto Company.