Food

Breeding Advances Help Farmers Meet Growing World Demand

Posted: 2/9/2012

Farmers benefit from a global breeding program consisting of 35 germplasm programs in 16 countries, including more than 700 breeding and testing locations worldwide.

(NAPSI)—American farmers play an essential role in meeting the needs of a growing world population that is expected to reach 9 billion by 2030. Advances in breeding and biotechnology are helping to develop higher-yielding corn products to meet this challenge.

Continuing its 100 years of breeding leadership, the DEKALB® corn brand is introducing new products for 2012 designed to offer farmers higher yield opportunity through strong roots, strong stalks, better insect and disease resistance, and improved drought tolerance in high-stress conditions.

“The DEKALB breeding process is really an integration of a massive, global germplasm pool, advanced technologies utilized by our elite breeding group and a vast testing network,” says Bruce Schnicker, Global Plant Health Breeding Lead at Monsanto. “Advanced tools such as molecular breeding and gene mapping allow our breeders to more rapidly identify exclusive genetics that ultimately deliver the best DEKALB products to farmers.”

As one example of innovative breeding technology, a seed chipper with patented robotic automation is used to evaluate each seed for desirable performance characteristics, allowing for an inside look into each kernel’s genetic makeup. Through the seed chipping and genotyping process, DNA is extracted and analyzed from corn seed provided by breeding research stations around the world.

Breeders also incorporate the latest biotechnology traits to help protect yields through improved control of weeds and insects. This combination of leading genetics and advanced biotech traits is designed to provide U.S. growers with higher-yielding hybrids that will perform on their farming operations—an important step in helping to feed a growing world population.

Always read and follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. DEKALB® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2011 Monsanto Company.

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