BASF SE : MONSANTO and BASF announce project advancements in annual collaboration pipeline update

ST. LOUIS / LUDWIGSHAFEN, Jan. 5, 2012 - A diverse group of projects across research and development (R&D) platforms aimed at making agriculture more productive and profitable for farmers, and more sustainable for our planet, were reported during Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) annual pipeline update.

Biotechnology Platform

Within its Biotechnology Platform, Monsanto highlighted two projects in its yield and stress collaboration with BASF Plant Science. Yield and stress projects advancing phases this year are Drought-Tolerant Cotton and Higher-Yielding Corn.

Higher-Yielding Corn (Advanced to Phase 3)

The higher-yielding corn trait is designed to be stacked on top of Genuity® corn products and other corn pipeline traits to provide additional yield opportunity. This additional yield opportunity would be additive to the total system available to farmers, creating a package with the highest-yield potential. 

Drought-Tolerant Cotton (Advanced to Phase 2)

The drought-tolerant cotton trait is designed to deliver improved water use in cotton by providing yield stability in environments experiencing occasional or consistent water stress. The trait also has the potential to reduce water needs on irrigated acres. This is the first generation project in a family of drought-tolerant traits for cotton.

In Drought-Tolerant Corn, another key project of the collaboration, an important step towards moving to on-farm testing this planting season was made. On December 21, 2011, Monsanto received deregulation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for MON 87460, the first-generation drought-tolerant trait for corn. Monsanto plans to conduct on-farm trials in 2012 to give farmers experience with the product, while generating data to help inform the company's commercial launch decisions.

Agronomic Solutions Platform

Monsanto spotlighted several advancements in its agronomic solutions platform. In this field, Monsanto collaborates with BASF's Crop Protection division to develop improved dicamba formulations.

The dicamba+Roundup® premix formulation has advanced to phase three, with expanded field trials to begin in 2012 pending EPA approval. Dicamba is an economical and effective herbicide that provides excellent control for a wide range of broadleaf weeds.

Information for Investors

.

Investor Relations Contact:

Monsanto (USA):  Bryan Hurley (phone: [phone])

BASF (Germany): Magdalena Moll (phone: [phone])

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: .

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at .

About BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science - a BASF group company - is one of the world's leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed or higher content of Omega-3's in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit .

Monsanto: Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits and the previously-announced SEC investigation; the previously reported material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent Form 10-K Report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

BASF: Forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements based on current experience, estimates and projections of BASF management and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BASF to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such statements. BASF does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.