Monsanto's new DroughtGard hybrid testing part of biotechnology collaboration with BASF

Monsanto's newest drought-tolerant corn system, as part of on-farm trials, will be available to growers under the new DroughtGard™ Hybrids name. DroughtGard Hybrids are the newest offering from the Genuity® corn family. These hybrids combine germplasm selected for its drought-tolerant characteristics and the biotechnology drought-tolerant trait with agronomic recommendations. The 2012 large-scale, on-farm trials, will be taking place with approximately 250 growers on up to 10,000 acres across the Western Great Plains, the product's target launch area. The drought-tolerant trait is part of Monsanto's Yield and Stress collaboration in plant biotechnology with Germany-based BASF. The collaboration is aimed at developing higher-yielding crops and crops more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions, such as drought.