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Launch of “Gro-Ethanol Program” offers Ontario farmers new market for corn

WOODSTOCK, Ontario

Ontario corn growers now have new opportunities for their corn under a program launched today by GreenField Ethanol and Monsanto Canada.

The Gro-ethanol program, unveiled today at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, invites Ontario's farmers to grow corn seed containing Monsanto traits, specifically for the ethanol market. The corn hybrids eligible for the program include Monsanto traits that produce higher yielding corn – perfect to meet the demand for corn in ethanol production.

“GreenField Ethanol is committed to remaining a world-class company and continually improving our processes and products," said GreenField President and CEO Robert Gallant. "We are pleased to work hand-in-hand with Ontario farmers to produce ethanol even more efficiently using these higher-yielding varieties of corn offered through the Gro-ethanol program."

In ethanol production, the starch from each kernel of corn is extracted to make ethanol. Protein, fibre and other nutrients are converted into distillers' grains for livestock and feed markets.

Growers can purchase their Gro-ethanol corn seed from one of several participating seed companies and earn a variety of rewards including Snap-on® tools, discounts on Roundup WeatherMAX®, annual meetings with representatives from Monsanto and GreenField Ethanol, and even a trip to the 2009 Commodity Classic in Dallas, Texas.

"By partnering with Greenfield Ethanol, we are providing growers with an opportunity to benefit from the growth in the ethanol market," said Dan Wright, Trait Marketing Manager with Monsanto Canada. "Traits such as YieldGard VT TripleTM are delivering more yield to growers and that is critically important to their bottom line. We are also very pleased that our trait and seed products offer a solution to meet the world’s increasing demand for food, feed, fibre and fuel."

In Canada, ethanol-blended fuel will soon be part of every fill up, since recent federal policy will require five per cent average renewable fuel content in Canadian gasolineby 2010. Provinces have enacted laws for ethanol use, including Ontario where it became law Jan. 1, 2007 that all gasoline must contain five per cent renewable fuel.

The Gro-ethanol program is only open to Ontario farmers. Growers may enroll by calling Monsanto’s CustomCare® line at 1-800-667-4944.

Monsanto is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.

For more information:

Dan Wright
Trait Marketing Manager Monsanto Canada
(519) 821-4782
www.monsanto.com