AGRICULTURE TODAY: SEED TO SHOPPING CART

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Presenter Notes

Thank you for your interest in sharing more about agriculture today.

The enclosed presentation is designed to be customized for your needs by incorporating your organization’s logo and/or adding or removing slides.

Please contact Milton Stokes at milton.stokes@monsanto.com with questions or further context about the slide content.

Our Planet Faces Some Real Challenges

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Source: UN FAO Food Balance Sheet, World Health Organization Global and regional food consumption patterns and trends”

A growing global middle class is choosing animal

protein – meat, eggs, and dairy – as a larger part of

their diet

Changing Economies and Diets

Dietary Percentage of Protein

1965 2030

14%

9%

A Broad Range of Solutions

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Collaborative Innovation

Making a balanced meal accessible for everyone, and doing it in a

sustainable way requires a wide range of ideas and resources

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At any stage, plants are threatened by weeds, insects and diseases. Researchers look at the issues that might affect future crop growth and create solutions to help protect plant health and minimize environmental impact.

Protection from Weeds, Insects and Diseases

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Precision Agriculture

Plant Breeding

Vegetable Breeding

Biotechnology

Microbials

Crop Protection

Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture

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Precision Agriculture Helps Farmers Manage Multiple Decisions Every Season

Farmer considerations:

General Farm Planning

Weed Control Program

Row Spacing

Variety/HybridSelection

Refuge Options

Plant Population

Seed Treatment

Soil Insecticides

Pre-Plant Irrigation

Fertility Program

pH Management

Burn-Down Program

Tillage Level

Primary Tillage Program

Seed Depth

Planting SpeedThrough the Field

Other Planting Operation Decisions

Starter Fertilizer

Herbicide Application

Soil Insecticides

Fungicide Application –In-Furrow

Keep Stand or Re-Plant

Post-Emergent Herbicide Application

Foliar Insect Control

Fertility Program

Foliar Disease Control

Irrigation Application

Weed Control

Insect Control

Disease Control

PLANTING IN-SEASONPRE-PLANTING HARVESTPLANNING

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Many of the Foods We Eat Are a Result of Breeding Innovation

Teosinte To Today’s Corn Mustard Plant To Today’s Cauliflower And Broccoli

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+ Vitamin A• Bananas/plantains• Cassava• Maize• Pumpkin

+ Iron• Beans/lentils• Irish potato• Wheat

Biofortification is the process of breeding food crops that are rich in micronutrients, such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron.

Breeding Biofortification

Vegetable Breeding

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What Goes into a Great Vegetable

Source: Mon Veg Consumer Research (2008) US & EU-5 Consumer Preference for Fresh Vegetables

Vegetables are among the most nutritious foods available, but taste, texture and convenience are keys to increasing consumption.

Sensory Experience

Convenience

Nutrition & Health

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Improved Flavor and ColorBuilds Consumer Appeal

Wild tomato traits bred into commercial varieties for sweeter taste

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Phytopthora Resistant Peppers are Improving Crop Production

Advanced breeding gives pepper varieties resistance to one of the most destructive diseases

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Extended Quality Watermelon

This watermelon loses much less juice, so is less messy when slicing, eating and storing after it is cut.

Ideal for fresh-cut halves, quarters, slices and cubes.

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Sweet Tasting, More Convenient Mini Bell Peppers

Better ValueOne third the size of standard bell peppers, at an equally affordable price point

Sweet Tasting & CrunchyBellaFina® peppers are small in stature but their sweet flavor and crunchy texture are every bit as appealing as traditional colored bell peppers

Nutritious Excellent source of vitamin C

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Building Better Salads and Wraps with Frescada® Lettuce

A Sweet Tasting LettuceVery low in bitterness and crunchier than traditional Romaine

Greener Color and More FlavorCompared to iceberg

Nutritious 246% of the folate and 174% of the Vitamin C in ordinary iceberg lettuce

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Beneforté® Broccoli Brings Consumers Broccoli with Improved Nutritional Benefits

*2009 Monsanto trials

Each serving of Beneforté® broccoli contains 2-3 times the glucoraphanin as a serving of leading broccoli varieties when grown under similar environmental conditions.

Glucoraphanin boosts the body’s antioxidant enzyme levels which help maintain antioxidant activity of vitamins A, C and E in the body. These antioxidant vitamins protect your body from damage by free radicals and other environmental stresses.

Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Crops

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Most insulin used by diabetics is produced through biotechnology

Scientists use biotechnology to create unique yeast strains for use in brewing beer and making bread

Nearly all cheese is made using rennin produced through biotechnology

Enzymes Yeast Medicine

Biotechnology is Used in Many Common Products

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Plant Biotechnology is an Extension of Traditional Plant Breeding

Traditional Plant Breeding

Plant Biotechnology

Desired Gene

Many Genes are Transferred

Desired Gene

Desired Gene

Only Selected Gene is Transferred

“GMO”

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GMOs are the product of a specific type of plant breeding where precise changes are made to a plant’s DNA to give it characteristics that cannot be achieved through traditional plant breeding methods.

Ways to have Better Harvests

Source: www.GMOAnswers.com

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What is a GMO?

https://www.youtube.com/user/MonsantoCo/videos

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For every one trait that is brought to market, more than 6,000 others are screened and tested.

Scientists conduct research to identify the specific genes responsible for beneficial traits that make crops resistant to disease, pests or drought.

The GMO ProcessStep 1: Trait Identification

Fun fact:

Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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There are many ways to transform a cell. One common method uses agrobacterium - a natural bacteria that can pass on genes to plants.

Fun fact:

Once the desired gene has been identified, scientists transfer the gene into a plant seed. The result is a genetically modified organism or GMO. Researchers can also turn off or move a gene within a plant to create a GMO.

Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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NThe GMO ProcessStep 2: Transformation

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A new biotech seed product takes an average of 13 years and $130 million in R&D before coming to market.

More than 75 different studies are performed on each new biotech product before commercialization to ensure that they are safe for people, animals and the environment.1

Fun fact:

1 Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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Safe to grow • Crop exhibits expected characteristics (e.g., insect resistance)

Safe for the environment and beneficial insects

Safe to eat• Same nutrients as non-GM crops• No new dietary allergens

Although the regulatory review process begins here, it will continue throughout the GMO process and carry on through the life cycle of the product.

The GMO ProcessStep 3: Regulatory Science

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Only after several years of rigorous testing are the top performing plants and traits selected to advance to field testing and further regulatory review.

After a GMO is developed in the lab, the seedlings are moved to greenhouses where further tests are performed.  

Fun fact:

Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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GThe GMO ProcessStep 4: Greenhouse Testing

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More than 90 government bodies globally review and approve GMOs. In many countries, multiple agencies are involved in the regulation of GMOs.

Field trials are an important part of developing new products. They provide critical scientific and performance data and information.

Fun fact:

Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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GThe GMO ProcessStep 5: Field Testing

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In 2013, more than 18 million farmers globally chose to plant GMO seeds for better harvests, improved crop quality and the ability to use sustainable farming practices such as no-till.

Farmers choose seeds that are best for their farms and businesses. Both GM and non-GM seeds are available options for farmers.

Fun fact:

Source: http://croplife.org/biotech-crop-development/

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The GMO ProcessStep 6: Getting Seeds to Farmers

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There are Currently Eight Crops Commercially Available From GMO Seeds in the U.S.

RAINBOW PAPAYAGenetic Traits• Disease Resistance Uses• Table Fruit

FIELD CORNGenetic Traits• Insect Resistance• Herbicide Tolerance• Drought Resistance Uses• Livestock and poultry

feed• Fuel Ethanol• High-fructose corn syrup

and other sweeteners• Corn oil• Starch• Cereal and other food

ingredients• Alcohol• Industrial uses

CANOLAGenetic Traits• Herbicide ToleranceUses• Cooking oil• Animal feed

SOYBEANGenetic Traits• Insect Resistance• Herbicide ToleranceUses• Livestock and poultry feed• Aquaculture• Soybean oil• High oleic acid• Soymilk, soy sauce, tofu,

other food uses• Lecithin• Pet food• Adhesives and building

materials• Printing ink• Other industrial uses

ALFALFAGenetic Traits• Herbicide ToleranceUses• Animal feed

COTTONGenetic Traits• Insect Resistance• Herbicide ToleranceUses• Fiber,• Animal feed,• Cottonseed oil

SUGAR BEETSGenetic Traits• Herbicide ToleranceUses• Sugar,• Animal feed

SWEET CORNGenetic Traits• Insect ResistanceUses• Food

SUMMER SQUASHGenetic Traits• Disease ResistanceUses• Food

GeneticTraitsExpressedIn GMOs InThe U.S.

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Genetically Modified Crops ( GMOs)Produce Food that is Safe and Nutritious as Conventional

Sources: ISAAA.org; biofortified.org; croplife.org/PhillipsMcDougallStudy

4.4 Billion acres of farmland used for GMO crops since 1996

35 years that GMO crops have been researched and developed

64 countries where GM crops have been found safe for growing or import

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Source: ISAAA Brief 46-2013: Executive Summary Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2013

The Benefits of GMOs

CORN that is tolerant to drought, insects and disease

SOY that can be planted without tilling, preserving precious topsoil

COTTON that is protected from harmful insects

PAPAYA that resists a disease that threatened to wipe out the crop

Some Examples of the Benefits of GMOs

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Better Harvests

Source: pgeconomics.co.uk

21.7M Metric Tons of Cotton

Lint

138M Metric Tons of Soybeans

274M Metric Tons

of Corn

Between 1996 and 2013, Crop Biotechnology was Responsible for an Additional:

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Economic Benefits

Economic gains of ~U.S. $133B were generated globally by biotech crops between 1996 to 2013.

$Sources: pgeconomics.co.uk; ISAAA.org

30% Due to reduced production costs

70% Due to substantial yield gains of 441.4M tons

Biotech cotton in developing countries has already made a significant contribution to the income of >16.5 million smallholder resource-poor farmers in 2013

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Environmental Benefits

Sources: pgeconomics.co.uk; ISAAA.org

The reduction in pesticides from 1996 to 2013 was estimated at 550 million kilograms or 8.6% reduction

In 2013 alone, biotech helped prevent an estimated 28 billion kg of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 12.4 million cars from the road for a year.

Without biotech, it would take an additional 44.7 million acres to produce the same amount of food produced in 2014.

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Consumer Benefits

The U.S. Food Price Index changes would amount to $14 – 24 billion per year.

The drop in price of food is due to increased productivity by farmers, which have arisen via the adoption of new technologies

Source: 2010 study by Graham Brookes et al.

GMO Safety

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GM Crop Safety

PGEconomics.org

GM crops are reviewed by hundreds of independent risk assessors and scientists

Every credible U.S. and international food safety authority that has studied GM crops has found that they are safe. No health effects attributable to their use have been found. 

Since 1996 at least 60 different countries have granted more than 3,000 commercial use approvals on 357 different GM traits in 27 crops.

In many countries there are multiple regulatory authorities (up to seven in one country) with the responsibility of assessing a particular aspect of safety.

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Is it safe for the environment?

Is it safe for humans and animals to eat?• Nutritional changes

• Compositional changes

Is it safe for humans and the environment?

Globally, >30 additional regulatory bodies also review each product before it can be commercialized.

In the U.S., Three Regulatory Agencies have Oversight for GM Crops

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Expert Scientific Findings

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

“Food and food ingredients derived from GE plants must adhere to the same safety requirements … that apply to food and food ingredients derived from traditionally bred plants. The consultation is complete only when FDA’s team of scientists are satisfied with the [GE Food] developer's safety assessment and have no further questions regarding safety or other regulatory issues.”

World Health Organization

“GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved.”

American Medical Association Council on Science and Public Health

“Bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature”

May 2013 February 2002 June 2012

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Expert Scientific Findings

American Council on Science and Health

“It’s irresponsible to assert that GMOs pose any dangers to consumers or the environment since billions of tons of crops have been produced using GMO technology and harvested over many years, and still not a single case of adverse health or environmental effects from such farming practices have been documented.”

Anne Glover, European Commission Chief Scientific Advisor

“If we look at evidence from 15 years of growing and consuming GMO foods globally, then there is no substantiated case of any adverse impact on human health, animal health or environmental health, so that’s pretty robust evidence, and I would be confident in saying that there is no more risk in eating GMO food than eating conventionally farmed food.”

February 2013 July 2012

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Expert Scientific Findings

European Academies Science Advisory Council

“The production of more food, more sustainably, requires the development of crops that can make better use of limited resources … Sustainable agricultural production and food security must harness the potential of biotechnology in all its facets.” 

The Royal Society

“The results need to be viewed in the context of a normal diet, which for humans and animals comprises large amounts of DNA. Given the very long history of DNA consumption from a wide variety of sources, we conclude that such consumption poses no significant risk to human health, and that additional ingestion of GM DNA has no effect.” 

June 2013 February 2002

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More Information is Available atGMOAnswers.com

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Backup Slides

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The Evolution of Crop Improvement Building on Genetic Diversity

Farmers have intentionally changed the genetic makeup of all the crops they have grown and the livestock they have raised since domestic agriculture began 10,000 years ago. Every fruit, vegetable and grain that is commercially available today has been altered by human hands, including organic and heirloom seeds.

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Crop Domestication is Genetic Modification

In the late 20th century, advances in technology enabled the expansion of diversity of crops. For years, university, government and company scientists intensively researched and refined this process. A major result has been GM seeds that maintain or increase the yield of crops while requiring less land and fewer inputs, both of which lessen the impact of agriculture on the environment and reduce costs for farmers.

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How a GM Seed Gets to MarketNo other type of new seed that comes to the market from other breeding methods goes through regulatory approval, including the thousands of conventional and organic seeds developed from mutagenesis*. Only GMOs are required to be reviewed. Even before the new seed goes through the review process, years of testing and research take place.*Deliberately engineered DNA mutations

Phillips McDougall, “The Cost and time involved in the discovery, development and authorization of a new plant breeding biotechnology derived trait.” September 2011.

www.FoodDialogues.com

Review to prove

GMOs are safe to eat

Review of GMOs that

enhance pest control to prove they are safe for

the environment

Review of all GMOs to prove they are safe to grow

After 13 YEARS and $136 MILLION

(on average), the seed variety is brought

to market

New GMO seed variety

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How Do Farmers Use Pesticides?

https://www.youtube.com/user/MonsantoCo/videos

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GMO Research, Review and Regulation

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Presenter Note:

The enclosed addendum slides feature alternative ways to share many of the key concepts enclosed within the presentation.

Feel free to use these slides as a replacement or in addition to the other presentation slides.

Please contact Milton Stokes at milton.stokes@monsanto.com with questions or further context about the slide content.