The company expects U.S. and international seeds and traits gross profit to almost double by 2012 from 2008 baseline; anticipates launching a new HIT project every one to two years.
Chief Technology Officer
Fraley will highlight seven HIT projects that are expected to launch by the middle to the end of the next decade, positioning the company to launch a HIT project every one to two years. Two HIT projects, Genuity(TM) Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans and Genuity(TM) SmartStax(TM) corn, which is in its final stages of regulatory review, will serve as the foundation for the new HIT projects' family of traits. The company's new corn HIT projects will include traits from the drought-tolerant family; the broad-acre, higher-yielding family; and the nitrogen-utilization family, all of which are part of our yield and stress collaboration with BASF. The new soybean HIT projects will include the insect-protected technology for Brazilian farmers and the broad-acre, higher-yielding family of soybeans.
'The world population is expected to top 8 billion people by 2030, with significant dietary shifts toward more meat consumption. To help meet the growing food demands, we're focused on growing more grain with fewer resources through the application of new HIT products,' Fraley will say. 'Innovation from breeding and biotechnology has consistently delivered on the promise of more yield, helping farmers increase productivity.'
Optimizing Innovation Globally
By leveraging its successful innovation, Monsanto is well-positioned to optimize the key drivers of its gross profit through price, seed share and trait penetration, Preete will tell investors tomorrow.
'Our international segment is a key part of our growth expected from seeds and traits going forward,' Preete will say. 'Monsanto's ability to optimize the value of its products, deliver innovation and enhance biotech trait penetration on a well-established seed footprint applies no matter where you are in the world.'
Preete will also highlight that the company expects its U.S. seeds and traits gross profit to double by 2012 from a 2008 baseline, with growth of nearly 85 percent from international seeds and traits forecasted for the same time frame.
Webcast Information
Fraley's presentation slides and simultaneous audio webcast of the
presentation may be accessed by visiting the company's Web site at www.monsanto.com/investors . Fraley's presentation will be available prior to today's live broadcast set for
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 .
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.
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