Monsanto to test seed technology FieldScripts

Monsanto is testing its new seed technology in four states. 
 

Farmers in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota will participate in Monsanto’s testing program for FieldScripts, a variable rate seeding prescription for particular corn products on each of their fields.
 

The technology is the first product to come out of the company’s Integrated Farming Systems unit, a business line that will offer farmers prescriptions on best agronomic practices, seed genetics and on-farm technology in order to maximize yield.
 

Monsanto is utilizing the expertise of Precision Planting Inc., a planting technology developer, which it acquired in June for $250 million.
 

The prescription itself is delivered to the farmer through Precision Planting’s Field View app for the iPad to the farmer’s tractor. The prescription is then executed in the farmer’s field using Precision Planting’s 20/20 SeedSense monitor.
 

“Farmers have extensive data on their land, and FieldScripts will help them put this data to work to increase yield potential,” said Kip Tom, owner of Tom Farms in Leesburg, Ind., in a statement.
 

About 100 farmers will participate in Monsanto’s Ground Breakers trial program in the four states next year. The farmers will provide inputs such as field boundaries, yield data and fertility test results to their seed dealer.
 

Monsanto expects FieldScripts to be launched via the national corn brand DEKALB in 2014.Creve Coeur-based Monsanto Co.  reported a third-quarter profit of $966 million on revenue of $4.2 billion.