Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) announced today that
ADM will process Monsanto’s VISTIVE™ low-linolenic soybeans in 2006 at
its facility in Frankfort, Indiana, and will market the low-linolenic
soybean 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.
For the 2006 growing season, ADM will be contracting with growers in
Indiana for up to 40,000 acres of VISTIVE soybean production. ADM 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, as of January 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 are required to list trans fat content.
Kellogg Company, for instance, recently announced that it will use oil
from VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans as part of a major initiative to
reduce or eliminate trans fats in a number of its products.
“Low-linolenic soybean oil developed from VISTIVE soybeans will be a
valuable addition to ADM’s NovaLipidTM portfolio of zero/low trans fat
products,” stated Tedd Kruse, ADM Vice President-North American Food
Oils. “As the essential link between farmers and food manufacturers, ADM
is pleased to work with American farmers to create additional value for
their products while at the same time providing food manufacturers with
healthier ingredients.”
NovaLipid products are ADM’s line of zero/low trans fat shortenings,
margarines and oils. The NovaLipid portfolio includes naturally stable
oils, tropical fats and oils, blended oils, and enzyme interesterified
shortenings and margarines to provide alternatives in various food
applications, including baking, confectionery, snack, frying and cereal
products. The line was developed in 2003 in response to customer and
consumer demand for healthier fats and oils.
“We contracted all available VISTIVE soybeans in 2005, so we know that
this product is in demand. We are very pleased to partner with an
industry leader like ADM to ensure a successful expansion of VISTIVE
soybeans in 2006,” said Ernesto Fajardo, Vice President of U.S. Crop
Production for Monsanto. “VISTIVE not only supports growing consumer
demand for healthier foods, but also represents an important investment
in the future success of the U.S. soybean industry. In addition, this
agreement expands the growing area for VISTIVE, giving more farmers the
opportunity to grow this value-added soybean.”
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. Specific information regarding
grower opportunities and contract details will be available from ADM in
the near future.
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is a world leader in agricultural
processing. ADM is one of the world's largest processors of soybeans,
corn, wheat and cocoa. ADM is also a leader in the production of soy
meal and oil, ethanol, corn sweeteners and flour. In addition, ADM
produces valueadded food and feed ingredients. Headquartered in Decatur,
Illinois, ADM has over 25,000 employees, more than 250 processing plants
and net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 of $35.9 billion.
Additional information can be found on ADM's Web site at www.adm.com.
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and
food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see www.monsanto.com.
Asgrow®, Roundup Ready®, VISTIVE™, Crow’s®, NC+® and Midwest Seed
Genetics® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC or of a Monsanto
affiliated company. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. ©2006 Monsanto Company.
ADM Media Relations
217/424-5413
media@adm.com