Q: How does a farmer benefit from a reduced refuge?

A: A 5 percent refuge for Genuity™ SmartStax in the Corn Belt means a farmer will retrieve 75 percent of the acres formerly left to refuge so that these acres can be planted to the most productive hybrids protected by Genuity™ SmartStax. This significant reduction in a farmers’ refuge requirement together with the greater protection from yield-robbing insects and weeds means that farmers will benefit in cost savings, planting simplification and increased yield. This is the most reliable way for farmers to produce more with less input. In addition, this reduced refuge will be easier for farmers and will further reduce applied insecticide use, reduce risks and enhance the long-term durability of the technology.

A: Refuge in the bag (RIB) is a blended seed system that allows a farmer to plant one bag of seed that contains all of the necessary refuge seed for both above-ground and below-ground requirements. In order to bring a blended seed product to market our first priority was to get U.S EPA approval for a reduced refuge to 5 percent. We believe that properly deployed RIB has the potential to create additional value for farmers and we have been testing RIB technology for more than a decade. An extensive number of field trials are under way for the 2009 season. Monsanto will make a final commercial decision on Genuity™ SmartStax RIB after all yield trials are analyzed late this year.

Q: Wouldn’t a RIB with a seed blend higher than 5 percent still provide farmers a yield advantage?

A: Farmer convenience is a key driver for RIB, but a blended seed product must maintain the yield advantage farmers desire. Monsanto has been testing RIB seed blends for more than a decade. Only dual modes of action for above- and below-ground pests achieved with SmartStax could allow the yield benefit. Increased yields are jeopardized with a RIB of greater than 5 percent.