BASF，Monsanto enter into development and commercialize agreement for nutridense

Date:12-16-2009

BASF Plant Science and Monsanto today announced the signing of an agreement to develop and commercialize new corn hybrids with better nutrition for animal feed.

The new hybrids will contain BASFs NutriDense traits that are designed to enhance animal feed performance. NutriDense corn has higher levels of essential amino acids and energy, greater phosphorous availability and is more digestible.

BASFs NutriDense traits will be combined with Monsantos Roundup Ready Genuity VT Triple PRO and Genuity SmartStax corn. The new high quality hybrids are expected to deliver the best feed value and yields equivalent to elite conventional corn. Once launched, seed companies will market the new hybrids through licensing agreements.

"The addition of higher yielding NutriDense corn hybrids from Monsanto plus increased distribution through Monsanto regional brands and other partners will allow animal operations to contract the planting of the enhanced nutrition corn across a broad geography," said Jonathan Bryant, managing director of BASF Plant Science LP.

Corn growers may benefit from the premium pricing opportunity on the product from animal feed operations.

"We believe this collaboration will produce new and high-value hybrids for farmers by enabling them to deliver a more nutritious source of corn for feed use to their customers," said Cameron Ator, regional brand lead for Monsanto. "This is another example of Monsantos efforts to continue to provide innovative products that can help farmers maximize the yield and profit potential on their farms."

Roughly 45 percent of the corn grown in the United States is used as animal feed, with the majority being fed specifically to swine or poultry. A better nutritional composition of the grain fed to the animal reduces costs and waste. This development and commercialization agreement will benefit animal producers by offering a greater number of high yielding, high nutritional quality hybrids specifically designed for the swine, poultry, and dairy segment.

"BASF Plant Science has a strong commitment to the feed industry and our work in corn enhancement and animal nutrition is delivering better corn for better feed," Bryant added. "We are the only company investing in this manner and depth to provide solutions that improve animal performance and help producers increase their profitability."