Print This PageMonsanto looks to the future with wheat acquisition
Discussing wheat with Monsanto's Regulatory Affairs Lead, Michael Leader
On July 14, Monsanto announced the acquisition of WestBred LLC, a Montana-based company that specializes in wheat germplasm. This investment will bolster the future growth of our seeds and traits platform, allowing more farmers to benefit from our experience in drought, disease and pest-tolerance innovations.
A few years ago we declared that we would stop our wheat research program for the foreseeable future, as there did not appear to be an appetite for GM wheat from our customers. However, there have been changes in the wheat landscape that have led us to take this next step.
Firstly, there has been a pronounced shift in industry interest and support for new technology in wheat over the past few years. We have certainly heard the calls from those throughout the wheat value chain encouraging greater investment in wheat and pledging to work with technology providers like Monsanto.
For example, in May this year a number of important wheat bodies in the United States, Canada and Australia (Grains Council of Australia; Grain Growers Association and Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia (Inc.)) issued a joint statement supporting the commercialisation of transgenic wheat traits.
Secondly, the technology opportunity is different. Today, we have proven technology in other core crops that can address today’s central issues of water availability, fertilizer efficiency, and yield improvement that would benefit all wheat acres in all wheat classes across the globe. Reflecting this reality, we do not intend to undertake further development of the first-generation Roundup Ready® trait in wheat, but rather will explore these other opportunities to meet wheat farmers’ needs.
Commercial transgenic wheat may still be a few years away, but this is a positive investment towards more efficient, sustainable and profitable production of wheat.
Our initial focus will be on varieties for the United States, but with the potential to develop varieties for other key wheat-growing regions of the world, including Australia.
We will continue to monitor opportunities here, and are committed to an ongoing dialogue with the Australian grains industry and farmers to support the successful introduction of these new technologies thoughtfully. The future is looking bright!
