http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/0/1C65E31DF5DA76E8862575FA000D2422?OpenDocument 


Monsanto, Dow get OK for new biotech corn 


EDITED 


"Monsanto and Dow  said it won approval from regulators to begin 
selling a new biotech corn. 
So-called SmartStax corn was jointly developed by Monsanto and Dow 
under a 2007 agreement. 
Monsanto sees SmartStax as a blockbuster that could eventually be 
planted on 50 million to 65 million acres in the U.S. This year, 87 
million corn acres were planted. 
It represents Monsanto's second major product in as many years and the 
platform for future genetic improvements in corn, the company said. 


SmartStax is the first genetically modified corn that combines eight 
herbicide-tolerance and insect-protection genes. 
Because the companies are integrating already-developed traits, the 
companies will be able to put SmartStax on a fast-track. " .... 





Notes: 
Implications for bees: potental transgenic source of neonics. 

SmartStax corn seed combines Monsanto's triple-stack technology 
with Dow's Herculex insect control and Bayer's Liberty Link herbicide 
resistance. 


The Herculex I trait was the first in a new generation of Better Bt 
choices from Pioneer. 


All Pioneer hybrids with Herculex traits are treated with Poncho® 250 
insecticide seed treatment to help  stand establishment and 
seedling growth. 


In agriculture, a seed treatment or seed dressing is a chemical, 
typically antimicrobial or fungidal, with which seeds are treated (or 
"dressed") prior to planting. 


The active ingredient of Poncho is clothianidin, also in the nicotinoid family. 

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