STEWARDSHIP POLICIES
Herculex™ Refuge Requirements
Refuge should be established as follows: On each farm, plant at least 20% of corn acres with non-Bt corn. The non-Bt corn can be treated with insecticides only when the level of pest pressure meets or exceeds economic thresholds. Sprayable Bt insecticides must not be applied to the non-Bt corn. Plant the refuge (non-Bt corn) within, adjacent to, or neat Bt corn borer fields. The refuge must be placed within 1/2 mile of the Bt corn borer field (1/4 mile or closer preferred).
Herculex I corn contains a gene making it tolerant ONLY to glufonsinate ammonium herbicides such as Ignite® herbicide from Bayer. This herbicide resistance gene will NOT safeguard this hybrid against application of other herbicides. ACCIDENTAL APPLICATION OF OTHER HERBICIDES TO THIS HYBRID COULD RESULT IN TOTAL CROP LOSS.
Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read and understand the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for insect resistance management, for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed set forth in the technology agreement that you sign. By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with those stewardship requirements.
THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS OF PURCHASING NEW SEED
Purchasing new seed is a convenient way to ensure getting a product that is highest quality and highest yielding vs. bin run. Our seed meets strict quality standards, and you can rest assured that every bag is professionally handled and rigorously tested. Buying new seed dramatically reduces splits and foreign matter and ensures varietal purity because we use germination tests to ensure peace of mind. New seed is also weed free.
The economics of buying new seed vs. using bin run beans is a no-brainer. The average loss associated with cleanout is 10 - 15% for bin run soybeans and bin run planting rates are generally 15% higher than new certified seed.
There are some limited warranty-benefits associated with buying new seed. With new seed, you get dealer agronomic support before and after the sale. With the purchase of a Roundup® brand herbicide, you can participate in the Roundup Rewards® program, which has paid out over $600M to growers since 1997.
Buying new seed supports new innovations. Royalties provide for research and development of new traits and higher yielding germplasm. New trait introductions take 7 - 9 years for commercialization and cost $50 - $100 M. Be smart. Buy New Seed.
Monsanto Company is a member of BIO's Excellence Through Stewardship (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 grain handler to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship™ 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. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer to tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agriculture herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. SmartStax™ commercialization is dependent on many factors, including successful conclusion of regulatory process. SmartStax™ has not been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is a violation of federal law to promote or sell an unregistered pesticide. Degree® and Harness® are not registered in all states. Degree® and Harness® may be subject to use restrictions in some states. Bullet®, Degree Xtra®, Harness® Xtra, Harness® Xtra 5.6L, INTRRO®, Lariat®, and Micro-Tech™ are restricted use pesticides and are not registered in all states. The distribution, sale, or use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. Check with your local Monsanto dealer or representative for the product registration status in your state. IMPORTANT: Grain Marketing and Seed Availability: YieldGard VT Triple PRO™ has received the necessary approvals in the United States, however, as of 03/16/2009, approvals have not been received in all major corn export markets. YieldGard 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. Bullet®, Cleaner Fields, Higher Yields®, Degree Xtra®, Genuity™ Genuity and Design™, Genuity Icons, Harness®, Harness Xtra, Harness® Xtra 5.6L, INTRRO®, Lariat®, Micro-Tech™, Roundup®, Roundup PowerMAX®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design™, Roundup Ready 2Yield™, Roundup Ready 2 Yield and Design™, Roundup WeatherMAX®, Roundup Weather MAX and Design,®, SmartStax™, SmartStax and Design™, Start Clean, Stay Clean™, Transorb and Design®, VT Triple PRO™, YieldGard®, YieldGard Corn Borer and Design®, YieldGard Rootworm and Design®, YieldGard VT and Design®, YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2®, and YieldGard VT Triple® are trade marks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Liberty Link® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of Bayer. HERCULEX® is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Respect the Refuge® and Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® are registered trademarks of National Corn Growers Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2009 Monsanto Company.
1. "Committed to Science, Committed to Seed." Analysis of university and private company trails over 12-19 years comparing new certified seed to bin run seed. Monsanto 2001.