June 25, 2012

Monsanto completes acquisition of Precision Planting

Aimed at helping growers maximise yields, Monsanto Co. announced on June 21 that it has completed its Precision Planting acquisition, a Tremont, Illinois-based business.

The purchase, for US$210 million plus up to US$40 million in performance payments, was first announced in May. Established in 1993 by husband and wife Gregg and Cindy Sauder, Precision Planting develops and markets software, hardware and after-market production equipment used by growers as they plant and harvest as well as analyse field-by-field data to improve yields.

Monsanto said Precision Planting has a product pipeline that includes a system designed at simplifying variable rate planting and increasing yields through more accurate planting. The business will remain in Tremont and will become a part of Monsanto''s Integrated Farming Systems unit.