Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) annual research and development update marks the company's largest advancement of products to date. The agricultural company announced today a record 29 products progressed in its pipeline with five of those headed to the commercial marketplace. Monsanto's advancements include products across all of its platforms, including breeding, biotechnology, and new technology areas such as Integrated Farming Systems? and agricultural biologicals.
"Monsanto's annual pipeline update provides a window into agriculture's future – and, specifically, how breeding, biotechnology, biologicals and improved agronomics can meet the challenges of feeding a growing planet while using resources more efficiently," said Robb Fraley, Ph.D., Monsanto's chief technology officer. "From rural communities in America, to the plains of Sub-Saharan Africa, our scientists and breeders are working to provide farmers with innovations that can help them get the most out of every acre. I am particularly proud as this year's advancements highlight the breadth of our R&D efforts and the truly integrated approach we are taking in order to deliver a total system of solutions that can offer additional choice for our farmer customers."
Pipeline Highlights
Nearly 30 of the company's more than 70 pipeline projects advanced phases this year.
A record five products graduated from the pipeline, including Intacta RR2 PRO? soybeans, FieldScripts? variable rate seeding in corn and Root-Knot Nematode Resistance within the cotton breeding pipeline.
Some of the most breakthrough progress was delivered from the company's newest technology platforms, including more than 10 advancements across its Integrated Farming Systems? and agricultural biologicals platforms.
In addition to the 29 project advancements, Monsanto will have three projects in its Ground Breakers? on-farm testing program this year. Projects include Vistive? Gold soybeans, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend? soybeans and Bollgard? II XtendFlex? cotton.
"Monsanto is headed in the right direction with science-based approaches and new technologies for farmers," said Jeff Frank, a FieldScripts? Ground Breakers? farmer in Auburn, Iowa. "The data driven, scientific technologies Monsanto is developing are things we've never had before. As farmers, we have to take advantage of any opportunity we can to increase our yield potential. If we don't think progressively, we won't grow enough crops to feed a growing planet."
Biotechnology Platform
Monsanto has a pipeline of biotechnology projects in development, including next-generation insect control and herbicide tolerance agronomic trait projects as well as yield and stress work in collaboration with BASF Plant Science. This year's nine biotechnology advancements include the launch of Intacta RR2 PRO? soybeans and next-generation products like SmartStax? PRO corn (formally Corn Rootworm III), Second-Generation Intacta RR2 PRO soybeans, Third-Generation Herbicide Tolerant soybeans and Bollgard? III cotton.
Breeding Platform
In addition to annual germplasm improvements, this year's breeding pipeline advanced seven projects within the industry's most-advanced disease resistance breeding program. Project highlights include enhanced resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot and Gray Leaf Spot in corn and Soybean Cyst Nematode, as well as Phytophthora Resistant Peppers, Bacterial Wilt Resistant Tomatoes and Downy Mildew Resistant Lettuce.
Biologicals Platform
Five products within Monsanto's agricultural biologicals platform are advancing as researchers carry on their work to increase crop health and productivity. Monsanto and the farmer customers it serves share a need to continuously meet the world's growing demand in a sustainable way. Investing in the research and development of agricultural biological technologies is another step in that direction. Highlighted advancement in this platform include BioDirect? Tospovirus Control, BioDirect? Colorado Potato Beetle and BioDirect? Bee Health, as well as the addition of Microbials Yield and Microbials Plant Health to the pipeline's discovery phase.
Integrated Farming Systems Platform
Monsanto featured eight advancements in its Integrated Farming Systems? platform which is dedicated to helping farmers get more from every acre by integrating expertise in seed science, field science, data analysis and precision equipment to develop solutions optimized for the conditions of a farmer's field. Advancing products include Variable Rate Soy FieldScripts?, Multi-Hybrid Corn FieldScripts? and Weather-Enhanced FieldScripts? as well as the launch of FieldScripts? in corn.
Monsanto also highlighted the launch of The Climate Corporation's Climate Pro?, a revolutionary web and mobile service that increases a farmer's profitability through customized field recommendations that maximize yield and minimize costs.
