Sowing Seeds in Monsanto By Steve Gear About this article: Biotechnology in the agricultural area has been making big gains by helping farmers cut costs and increase productivity. Investors searching for a long-term investment in an industry leader should take a hard look at Monsanto , which has spent more than two decades performing molecular research to create seeds and herbicides that are changing the face of modern agriculture. Global demand for food and biofuels will provide Monsanto with opportunities for continued growth. The company's foundational research and portfolio of products was built over a long period of time. Well-known herbicide Roundup was first commercialized in 1976 and the company's first genetic plant modifications were field-tested in 1987. In addition, Monsanto has developed products for corn, cotton, canola and soybeans. Monsanto operates in two major businesses: seeds and traits and agricultural productivity. The seed division breeds plants that have higher crop yields and genetically modifies them to have... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200. More Stories From RealMoney Durable Goods Up Move Down the Tech Food Chain Jobless Claims Still High Bulls' Tenacity Is the Big Question Mark Should You Buy It? Pharmaceutical Product Development Bad News Trumps All Support for Banks Holds, For Now Bummer, Yields Are on the Rise Money on the Line Makes a Big Difference Structured Products: Unsafe at Any Price MORE STORIES FROM REALMONEY

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