ST. LOUIS, MO. (September 24, 2008) – Monsanto Company announced that its Asgrow® Brand will introduce the AccuSure Seed Count System for the brand’s Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybean seed in both paper and mini-bulk bags.  The seed count is being implemented for the 2009 planting season.

The increased precision in seed count is something growers and dealers will both benefit from, according to Jeff Wheeler, Asgrow Business Lead. 

“Maximizing soybean yield requires attention to detail from start to finish,” Wheeler said.  “At one time planters were set using pounds per acre but as technology grows in genetics, traits and planting equipment, utilizing seed per acre is rapidly becoming the norm.  With precise seed counts in the bag, farmers will be able to move seamlessly from seed purchases to field planting calculations. Asgrow soybeans are known to deliver innovations in genetics and technologies.  Now we’re introducing an innovative seed count system to go with our latest varieties and technology to help farmers maximize yield potential.” 

The Asgrow Brand AccuSure Seed Count System offers an equitable value for all farmers by eliminating the variability of seed size.  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.  

“We undertake strict quality-control measures before, during and after seed conditioning, and measures seed count throughout the process,” explains Scott Stein, Asgrow Product Manager. “Farmers will now know the exact amount of seed they are getting when they purchase Asgrow Brand Roundup Ready 2 Yield products.  We anticipate inventory management and invoicing will be simplified for the farmer and dealer as precision is more easily achieved with initial orders.”

To learn more about the AccuSure Seed Count System or for more information on Asgrow soybeans, visit Asgrow.com or contact your local dealer.

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: http://www.monsanto.com/.

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Always Read and Follow Label Directions. 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. 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. Asgrow®, Roundup®, Roundup Ready® and Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2008 Monsanto Company.