LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany and ST. LOUIS, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BASF SE  and Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) have signed an exclusive agreement for a new fungicide seed treatment solution for soybeans in the United States. The new product contains BASF's top-selling fungicide F 500(R), the same active ingredient found in Headline(R) fungicide with its disease control and plant health benefits. The treatment, which is expected to be commercialized in conjunction with the launch of Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean seed offering, will provide soybean farmers with early-season disease protection which results in improved stand and extra vitality.

"We're pleased to be partnering with BASF to deliver new seed-based technology to soybean farmers," said Carl Casale, executive vice president for Monsanto. "We feel the product will be the best seed treatment fungicide available to complement our new Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean offering. In today's demand-driven agriculture landscape, seed treatments are a natural fit in maximizing the realizable yield from seed and traits that are so important to farmers."

"We're happy that U.S. soybean growers will have access to this exciting new product from our Seed Solutions pipeline in the 2009 growing season," said Markus Heldt, head of BASF's Crop Protection business in North America. "This fungicide seed treatment is the first in this new generation of BASF seed treatment products that the company plans to launch globally over the next couple of years, and it is the perfect complement to Headline(R) fungicide to get seedlings off to a strong start," he added.

Under the agreement, Monsanto will have exclusive rights to commercialize the new fungicide seed treatment in soybeans. Additional details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Since building up its seed treatment research facilities four years ago, BASF scientists have focused on bringing new active ingredients with proven disease control and other early-growth plant health benefits to seed partners and ultimately to the grower.

Earlier this year, Monsanto announced that it was establishing a global seed treatment platform focused on identifying new proprietary seed-based technologies that can be launched in parallel with its higher-yielding soybean, corn and cotton seed and traits offerings.

In 2009, Monsanto plans a controlled commercial release of Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans that will be treated with a proprietary treatment containing F 500. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are the second generation of Monsanto Roundup Ready soybean technology that will deliver top-end yield potential, helping farmers meet the growing global food and fuel demands.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost euro 58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at http://www.basf.com/.

About Monsanto

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: http://www.monsanto.com/.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Note to editor: Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready 2 Yield are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Headline and F 500 are registered trademarks of BASF.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: malane@monsanto.com

Source: Monsanto Company
   

CONTACT: Danielle Jany of Monsanto Company, +1-314-694-2478; or Pat Morrow of BASF SE (North America), +1-704-756-5798; or Annette Pohl of BASF SE (Global), +49-621-28691

Web site:  http://www.monsanto.com/
http://www.basf.com/

Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114341.html

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