St. Louis, Missouri
May 8, 2009
Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ offers
improved grain quality, higher yield potential
A select group of Southern farmers
are getting an advance look at
Monsanto’s new Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ corn technology this
season.
While the new second-generation technology won’t be broadly
introduced until 2010, between 100 and 200 farmers across the
South are participating this season in a limited commercial
demonstration of Genuity™ VT Triple PRO, which provides the
industry’s first-ever dual modes of action for controlling
above-ground insects.
The technology offers higher yield potential as well as improved
grain quality through superior control of ear-feeding insects,
which can result in reduced levels of mycotoxins.
“Genuity™ VT Triple PRO provides broad-spectrum insect
protection against target pests, including corn borer, while
adding two previously uncontrolled pests – corn earworm and fall
armyworm,” explained Andrew Duff, Corn Traits Marketing Manager
for Monsanto. “This next-generation technology sets a new
standard for consistency, as well as enhanced durability and
reduced potential for insect resistance.”
In addition, because of its dual modes of action, Genuity™ VT
Triple PRO has been approved for a reduction in the refuge
requirement for corn borer in the South from 50 percent to 20
percent. This means farmers can protect more of their acres with
higher yielding Genuity™ VT Triple PRO compared with non-Bt corn
hybrids.
Duff said farmers participating in the limited commercial
demonstration were selected based on their interest in trying
new technologies. They will scout their fields this summer for
corn earworm, send kernel samples to Monsanto for grain quality
analysis and provide yield data at harvest.
Participating farmers are planting small demonstration plots of
the new triple-stack technology in DEKALB® brand products. In
addition to above- and below-ground insect control, the
technology also provides the Roundup Ready® 2 weed control
trait. “We’re suggesting they split their planters between
Genuity™ VT Triple PRO and corn products containing
first-generation insect traits in order to evaluate how the
technologies perform,” Duff explained.
According to Chism Craig, Monsanto Technology Development
Manager, the new product performed well in field trials
conducted by Monsanto last season. “We not only saw great
protection against the pests that were previously controlled,
but we also saw very good ear protection against corn earworm
and saw a reduced level
of mycotoxins and fewer aflatoxins,” he noted.
Farmers Excited About New Technology
South Texas farmer Samuel Sparks participated in Genuity™ VT
Triple PRO test plots in 2008 and is also involved in the 2009
commercial demonstration program. “As a VT Triple PRO grower
last year, I’ve seen the benefits of the new technology up
close,” Sparks said. “I could immediately see the difference. It
produces more yield and we don’t have to worry about insect and
weed control as much. Plus, the refuge reduction will benefit
everyone. We’re always looking for something new to try that
will increase profitability, and I look forward to growing more
Genuity™ VT Triple PRO in the future.”
Another participant, North Carolina farmer Clifton Paul, is also
enthusiastic about Genuity™ VT Triple PRO. “We had a test plot
last year and it showed improved yield and insect control
compared to competitive products,” said Paul, of Grantsboro,
N.C. He added that he likes to be on the forefront of new
technology. “It’s not hard to see how it benefits you. It’s the
direction the industry is going.”
Ty Parker, Monsanto Local Field Advisor in western Tennessee, is
working with a group of his farmer customers who are planting
the new technology for the first time. “This is an opportunity
for them to get a first-hand look at Genuity™ VT Triple PRO
before it is out in the field on a large scale,” he said.
“Participating in the demonstration plots will allow them to see
how this technology can be utilized on their farm so they can
gain the maximum benefits from it through faster adoption.”
Genuity™ VT Triple PRO will be introduced across the South for
the 2010 growing season. For additional information about this
technology, or Monsanto’s entire Genuity™ family of traits,
visit www.Genuity.com.
Monsanto Company is a leading 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
http://www.monsanto.com.
Monsanto Company is a member of BIO’s Excellence Through
Stewardship(SM) (ETS) Initiative. This product has been
commercialized in compliance with the ETS and Monsanto Product
Launch Stewardship policies, after meeting applicable regulatory
requirements in key export markets with functioning regulatory
systems. Any crop or material produced from this product 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. Monsanto encourages
growers to talk to their product or grain handler or purchaser
to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence
Through Stewardship(SM) is a service mark of Biotechnology
Industry Organization. B.t. products may not yet be registered
in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the
registration status in your state.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS and follow
grain marketing and insect resistance management requirements.
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. IMPORTANT: Grain Marketing
and Seed Availability: VT Triple PRO™ has received the necessary
approvals in the United States, however, as of May 2009,
approvals have not been received in all major corn export
markets. VT Triple PRO™ seed will only be available as part of a
commercial demonstration program that includes grain marketing
stewardship requirements. It is a violation of national and
international law to move material containing biotech traits
across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted.
Consult with your seed representative for current stewardship
information. DEKALB® is a registered trademark of DeKalb
Genetics Corporation. Genuity™, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, and VT
Triple PRO™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. |
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