Food Companies Committed to Low-Linolenic Soybean Oil, Says Monsanto in Call for Producers to Grow the Beans

PR Newswire US -- ST. LOUIS -- February 16, 2010 -- Interest by food companies to reduce trans fats has supported continued demand for Vistive® low-linolenic soybean oil. As a result, processors across the Midwest are actively seeking contracts with growers for Vistive acres this season.

This provides a great opportunity for farmers located near participating grain elevators and processing plants to plant Vistive soybeans with the Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield® trait in 2010.

"These Vistive products demonstrated strong performance this past season, and the 2010 brand lineup offers many new, high-performing Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield Vistive varieties," said Lisa Flynn, Monsanto Soybean Traits Marketing Manager. "Vistive farmers not only benefit from good yield potential, but also a premium of 60-cents per-bushel that will add directly to their bottom line."

Introduced in 2005, Vistive low-lin soybeans can reduce or eliminate trans fats in food. Currently, Vistive oil is being used by multiple food companies that are looking for looking for healthier oil alternatives. For 2010, processors are contracting for Vistive acres in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota.

Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) commitment to quality food traits includes new Vistive Gold, which is currently in the company's research-and-development pipeline. Previously known as Vistive III, Vistive Gold looks to deliver a trans fat-free, reduced saturated fat soybean oil with a profile similar to olive oil. The company recently completed submissions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration in support of the Vistive Gold trait.

Farmers interested in planting Vistive brand Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans this season are encouraged to talk to their seed dealer or Monsanto sales representative, or visit http://www.vistive.com/ and http://www.genuity.com/.

Distributed for
U.S. Soybean Export Council
by John C. Baize Tel: 703-698-5908