Print This PageMonsanto offers growers more choice with new Cotton Choices™ Program
Melbourne, Tuesday 16 June 2009. Monsanto Australia has introduced the new Cotton Choices program for the 2009/10 cotton growing season. The new trait program gives growers greater flexibility and choice when planting Bollgard II® with Roundup Ready Flex® cotton.
Peter O’Keeffe, Monsanto Cotton Sales Lead said, “During consultation with growers and industry last season, it became clear that we needed to move towards a program that gave growers more choice and an opportunity to increase value to their business.”
“Cotton Choices is designed to allow growers of Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex to select the best system to suit their unique farming operation”, he said.
For the last three seasons Monsanto has offered to refund eligible growers if their crops failed, including due to adverse weather conditions, under the company’s Late Crop Removal program.
“During this prolonged drought period many growers have told us that they really appreciate the fact that Monsanto’s Late Crop Removal program has given them greater confidence to plant. However, others have also indicated that they would like more choice in the way that they purchase their licence fees from Monsanto,” said O’Keeffe.
In response, Monsanto’s new Cotton Choices program now allows eligible growers to continue using the Late Crop Removal system or opt for a price discount on their crop instead.
“Everyone likes choice and this is exactly what this program has been designed to do”, he said. As part of the program Monsanto also announced that a new End Point Royalty pilot program will be launched this year aimed at giving growers additional choices for their dryland cotton crops.
“Dryland growers face unique production risks particularly where upfront investment is required. We are exploring ways to help these growers reduce their risks and expand their cotton production,” he said.
Under this pilot program growers of Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex will be given the option to pay a limited up-front technology fee and a royalty per bale of actual production rather than paying a per-hectare technology fee for the first time.
“We are hopeful this approach will help growers who are faced with limited water availability choose cotton over other crops with less profit potential,” he said.
“These programs incorporate the best of the old – while offering growers new choices and greater flexibility when planting Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex in season 2009/10. We are confident growers will see the value in these new and improved cotton choices,” said Mr O’Keeffe.
To find out more about the Cotton Choices program growers can register interest through their local Technical Service Provider, visit monsanto.com.au or contact their local Monsanto Technical Sales Agronomist on 1800 069 569.
ENDS
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of
our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit:
http://www.monsanto.com/.
Contact: Honi McNaughton , Public Affairs Manager, Monsanto Australia Ltd 03 9522 7105 / 0418 324 894
Bollgard II® and Roundup Ready Flex® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Australia Limited licencee. Cotton Choices is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Australia Limited.
