St. Louis, Missouri
June 4, 2007
About 2,000 growers from across
the U.S. Corn Belt are among the first farmers to plant hybrids
this season with Monsanto’s new YieldGard VT™ technology.
YieldGard VT is the next generation of YieldGard® in-plant
insect control technology. The advanced science involves a more
precise gene insertion process, known as Vector Stacked
Transformation, or “VecTran,” to create enhanced, stacked-trait
hybrids. The result is improved consistency, even better insect
control and higher yield potential than the first generation of
YieldGard products.
All of the farmers participating in the program – known as
“Innovators” – are planting YieldGard VT Triple™ products, which
combine YieldGard VT second-generation rootworm control,
YieldGard Corn Borer and Roundup Ready® 2 weed control
technology.
“For over a decade, YieldGard technology has set the standard
for maximum insect protection,” said Dion McBay, YieldGard VT
marketing manager. “The YieldGard VT ‘Innovators’ are among the
first farmers in the Midwest to experience the next generation
of YieldGard insect control.
Monsanto will closely follow their progress throughout the
season and share their results with other growers who are
interested in the benefits of this innovative science.”
Rolland Wolfrum, a farmer and Beck’s Hybrids seed dealer in
Hicksville, Ohio, said he decided to plant about 70 acres of
YieldGard VT Triple this season because he experienced severe
rootworm infestation in 2006. “I heard about YieldGard VT having
better rootworm control, and I figured I better try it,” noted
the northwest Ohio farmer. “We typically haven’t had much
rootworm pressure in this part of Ohio, but last year it was
really devastating.”
Jon Soeller, who operates Soeller View Farms in Ripon,
Wisconsin, said he is always interested in trying new technology
that will give him an edge. He has planted YieldGard Plus in the
past, and looks forward to seeing how new YieldGard VT will
perform.
“You’re better off planting new technology that can yield more
and probably make more money in the future,” said Soeller, whose
operation also includes corn, soybeans and some wheat. “I
thought if YieldGard VT is better than the YieldGard products I
have been planting, I wanted to try it, and if it does better,
I'll be ordering even more next season.”
Jeff Kiddoo, who farms in Lorimer, Iowa, said he is always
interested in new technology that can provide improved insect
protection and higher yield potential. He said he has
experienced good results with YieldGard technology in the past
and looks forward to seeing how new YieldGard VT performs this
season.
“I have had success with YieldGard Plus, and I was looking for a
way to take that success one step further with YieldGard VT
Triple,” he said. “I have pretty heavy corn rootworm pressure on
my farm, and one of the main reasons I decided to use it was the
more consistent rootworm protection.”
Bryan Knobbe, a farmer and seed dealer in West Point, Nebraska,
said he is always testing new products and providing his
customers with information on the latest technologies. Knobbe
said one of the reasons he decided to plant YieldGard VT Triple
was that data from his Monsanto agronomist’s test plot that
showed YieldGard VT Triple yielded three to four bushels per
acre more than YieldGard Plus. “That’s why I chose that we test
the technology and why I suggested to my father to plant some as
well,” he said.
How the Technology Works
The traditional approach for creating stacked-trait hybrids has
involved inserting individual traits into separate plants, using
a gene gun, and then cross-breeding those plants to produce a
new hybrid containing multiple traits. In contrast, VecTran
technology combines the traits using a more efficient, single
DNA-insertion process.
McBay explained that YieldGard VT products have a highly active
and more consistent promoter of the rootworm control gene. The
promoter tells the gene to produce the insect control protein
and more effectively distribute it throughout the root system.
“This improved protein expression means that more consistent
levels of protein are present in YieldGard VT hybrid roots,
creating a barrier to even more effectively control corn
rootworm pests,” McBay noted. “In other words, you get advanced
technology with more powerful, more consistent root protection.”
A limited YieldGard VT launch is taking place on approximately
1.5 million acres for 2007, with plans for significant expansion
for the 2008 growing season.
Always follow grain marketing and insect resistance
management requirements, and 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 glyphosate tolerant. YieldGard products
are not yet registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto
representative for the registration status in your state.
YieldGard®, YieldGard VT™, YieldGard VT Triple™, Roundup® and
Roundup Ready® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2007
Monsanto Company. |
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