The '09 Pipeline

Monstanto's release of its 2009 R&D Pipeline was a major feature at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences. One of the exciting items in the pipeline is the drought-tolerant corn, which is in phase 3 to 4. Phase 4 is the last phase before commercialization, and farmers are anxiously awaiting its release soon.

Below are some of the highlights of this year's pipeline release from the Monsanto website. Click on the specific item for more information.

Corn Yield Drought 1 Tolerant
(Drought-tolerant Corn)
Phase: 3 to 4
In the fourth-annual R&D pipeline update, the company’s drought-tolerant corn – the first-ever biotech crop with that trait – moved into Phase 4, the last phase before commercialization. This phase includes development and testing of best trait and germplasm combinations for commercial launch.

SmartStax Corn
Phase: 3 to 4
SmartStax corn is the first, most durable and highest-yielding package for total weed and bug control in corn. In the fourth-annual R&D pipeline update, SmartStax moved into Phase 4, the final step prior to the product’s 2010 commercial launch. This phase includes development and testing of best trait and germplasm combinations for commercial launch.

Soy Yield Intrinsic Development
(Higher Yielding Soybean)
Phase: 2 to 3
Higher-yielding soybeans moved into Phase 3 – and another step closer to farmers’ fields – in the fourth-annual pipeline update. Regulatory trials are planned for this summer.

Dicamba Glufosinate Cotton
(Dicamba tolerant cotton)
Phase: 1 to 2
Monsanto’s Dicamba-resistant cotton has moved to Phase 2, where it will be undergoing lab and field testing of genes in plants to select commercial product candidates and to meet regulatory requirements.