Farm Compliance

Moline, Illinois - Archer Daniels Midland Company, Deere & Company and Monsanto Company have agreed to collaborate on research to explore technologies and processes to turn crop residues into feed and bioenergy products.

The companies will work together to identify environmentally and economically sustainable methods for the harvest, storage and transport of corn stover — the stalks, leaves and cobs of corn plants. Corn stover can be used in feed for animals, as biomass to generate steam and electricity or as a cellulosic feedstock for biofuel production.

By creating feed and energy products from crop byproducts, farmers can produce more products without farming more acres, and increase the value derived from each acre.

Stover is usually left on the field, where, in proper amounts, it helps reduce soil erosion and build up soil organic matter. A 170-bushel-per-acre corn crop, which was the average last year in Iowa, also produces about four dry tons of stover. The United States Department of Agriculture forecasts that in 2008, farmers will harvest 12.3 billion bushels of corn, resulting in approximately 290 million tons of stover.

In their work, the companies will address a number of complexities and challenges. For example, stover collection rates need to be adjusted on a field-by-field basis to ensure that sufficient stover is left on the soil to reduce erosion and maintain or improve soil quality for the next season's crop. Also, the amount of moisture in the stover at harvest can present challenges in transportation and storage. Monsanto, ADM and John Deere are committed to identifying processes and technologies that will create an economically, agronomically and environmentally sound value chain for corn stover.

"As the world's population grows, so will demand for food and energy. Using non-food feedstocks for feed and energy is one way that agriculture can apply innovation to create renewable, sustainable solutions," said Dr. Todd Werpy, Vice President, Research, ADM. "There are a number of challenges associated with harvest, collection and storage of cellulosic biomass. This collaborative effort brings together three agricultural leaders to identify and address the complexities that come with commercializing a new feedstock."

"Expansions in biorenewable energy are possible if we are able to combine productivity and sustainability improvements in agriculture and forestry with a variety of biomass feedstocks and the most applicable conversion technologies," said Dr. Klaus Hoehn, Vice President, Advanced Technology and Engineering, John Deere. "We are hopeful the collaboration of our companies will lead to innovative technologies to improve collection and provisioning of biomass feedstocks, such as corn stover."

"Advanced biotechnologies are protecting plants better than ever, helping the plants to achieve their full grain yield potential," said Robb Fraley, Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto Company. "Achieving this potential also means having healthier, larger plants producing even more biomass. This provides an opportunity to convert an underutilized resource into a new source of value for growers and processors. It's an exciting area of research to focus on and we're pleased to be a part of it."

About Archer Daniels Midland Company

Every day, the 27,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world's premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, were $70 billion. For more information about our Company and our products, visit www.admworld.com.

About John Deere

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see www.monsanto.com.