Question
Answer
Expert response from Sarah Vacek
Global Business Planning and COE Connectivity, Bayer Crop Science
Wednesday, 11/02/2015 20:01
No, Monsanto grows soybeans for seed but not for food.
My family farms corn and soybeans and in my work at Monsanto I get to work on bringing better soybean seeds to the market. Monsanto does not grow commercial soybeans. We are one of hundreds of companies that sell soybean seeds to farmers who grow commercial soybean crops to provide soy for many different uses, including food. Soy is a crop that Monsanto spends a lot of resources researching to find ways to improve production so that resources are used more efficiently in soy production. Improved weed control and insect protection in soybeans means less resource-intensive farming practices. Our Roundup Ready® trait is widely used on US soy acres because it helps provide weed control without disrupting the soil. Without Roundup Ready crops, many farmers would use alternative weed control methods like tillage, which disrupts the soil and depletes soil moisture more quickly.
Monsanto also does a lot of research to improve the quality of soybeans and soybean oil for food companies, consumers and industrial companies. Today we are in a collaboration with the United Soybean Board (a group formed by farmers in the soy industry) to bring soybean seed to the market that has an improved oil in it that is high in monounsaturated fat and low in saturated fat. This can help food companies make foods that have improved nutritional benefits for consumers.