Cargill to process Monsanto's Vistive low-linolenic soybeans

07/10/05 Monsanto and Cargill, Incorporated have announced that Cargill will be a participating processor of Monsanto’s VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans in 2006 and will continue to accelerate the marketing of VISTIVE oil for use by the food industry. VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans will reduce the need for partial hydrogenation of soybean oil, helping food companies reduce the presence of trans fatty acids (trans fats) in their products. Cargill is one of the initial VISTIVE processors for 2005, and it will continue in that capacity.

For the 2006 growing season, Cargill will be contracting with growers in Iowa for up to 150,000 acres of VISTIVE soybean production. Cargill will pay a premium to producers who grow VISTIVE soybeans under contract, then it will crush and sell the processed soybean oil to food companies.

VISTIVE soybeans, developed through conventional breeding, contain less than three percent linolenic acid as compared to the typical eight percent level found in traditional soybeans. The result is a more stable soybean oil, with less need for hydrogenation. Because soybeans with a lower linolenic acid level reduce the need for partial hydrogenation, their application in processed soybean oils will reduce the presence of trans fats in processed soybean oil.

The development of VISTIVE is significant because, beginning Jan. 1, 2006, all food products and dietary supplements bearing a nutritional facts panel that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and sold in the United States will be required to list trans fat content.

Monsanto expects that VISTIVE soybeans will be grown on nearly 500,000 acres in 2006. VISTIVE soybeans have the Roundup Ready® trait and maintain performance parity with other commercial soybean varieties. For 2006, VISTIVE will be available in Monsanto’s Asgrow® brand, as well as Stine®, Prairie™ Brand Seed. Latham® Seed, Kruger™ Seed Company, Croplan Genetics®, FS HiSOY®, LG® Seeds, Producers Hybrids®, Midwest Seed Genetics®, Crow's® and NC+® seed brands.

Cargill will process VISTIVE soybeans at its facilities in Des Moines, Iowa Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Specific information regarding grower opportunities and contract details will be available from Cargill in the near future.