Jesus Madrazo, Monsanto’s vice-president of global corporate engagement, says “digital” agriculture could catch on with farmers just as quickly as GM crops did.

Digital agriculture the next big thing, says Monsanto official

Farmers adopted GM crops faster than the company expected 
and the same could occur with precision farming

If you want some idea of how quickly digital agriculture could grow, take a look at what happened with GM crops. Monsanto never expected genetically modified crops to catch on as quickly as they did and one company insider says the same explosive growth could happen with data-driven farming. Instead of a measured and evolutionary

Monsanto talking to consumers, not just farmers

Monsanto, long a lightening rod for opponents of genetically modified (GM) crops, is reaching out to consumers to tell its side of the story. It’s also encouraging farmers to do the same, Jesus Madrazo, Monsanto’s vice-president of global corporate engagement told the Canadian Global Crops Symposium in Winnipeg April 12. “I would be the first



(Dave Bedard photo)

Scientists take sides: Who’s right about glyphosate?

London | Reuters — The latest dispute to blow up around the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concerns glyphosate, an ingredient in one of the world’s most widely-used herbicides, Roundup, made by Monsanto. In March 2015, an IARC monograph concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.” Yet seven months later the European Food Safety


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European Parliament backs glyphosate, with conditions

Brussels | Reuters — European politicians advised on Wednesday that the herbicide glyphosate should only be approved for another seven years, rather than the 15 proposed by the EU executive, and should not be used by the general public. Environmental campaigners have demanded a ban on glyphosate, which is used in products such as Monsanto’s

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Germany backs EU plan to approve glyphosate

Berlin | Reuters –– Germany plans to back an European Union proposal that would allow the continued use of glyphosate in herbicides, according to a letter from the agriculture ministry. Glyphosate is used in many herbicides including Monsanto’s Roundup, but has provoked a dispute between EU and U.N. agencies over whether it might cause cancers.


DeKalb agronomist Bruce Murray explained the benefits of Monsanto’s new Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans at the company’s Oakville, Man., plots last June. Monsanto hopes to commercialize the glyphosate and dicamba tolerant soybeans this spring, but seed sales are on hold pending European Union approval.

Canadian launch of Monsanto’s new Xtend soybean on hold pending European Union approval

While Monsanto says approval is imminent, the MPSGA and major exporters don’t want the new variety commercialized until it is fearing Canadian soybean exports to the EU would be jeopardized

With seeding around the corner, distribution of Monsanto’s new Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans to Canadian farmers is on hold, awaiting European Union (EU) approval. The glyphosate- and dicamba-tolerant soybeans were expected to be approved weeks ago. The Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Association (MPSGA) and major grain companies don’t want Monsanto to release the

(Dave Bedard photo)

Monsanto cools on large-scale M+A outlook

Chicago | Reuters –– Monsanto on Wednesday effectively pulled itself out of the mergers-and-acquisitions flurry in the seeds and agrochemicals industry, nearly a year after making a bid for rival Syngenta. The St. Louis-based company, which also reported a drop in second-quarter earnings, now sees its best dealmaking opportunities in smaller acquisitions, licensing deals and