Partnership expands growing area for low-linolenic soybeans that provide a trans fat solution to the food industry

Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (ZFS) and Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) announced today that they will partner to offer Michigan farmers across the state the opportunity to produce Monsanto’s VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans for 2007.

MAC branch locations in Jasper and Breckenridge, Michigan will serve as delivery points for VISTIVE™ low-linolenic soybeans. ZFS will crush and sell the processed soybean oil to food companies.

ZFS is contracting with Michigan growers and paying a premium for VISTIVE soybean production for 2007.

VISTIVE low-lin soybeans, developed through conventional breeding, contain less than three percent linolenic acid as compared to the typical eight percent level found in traditional soybeans. The result is more stable soybean oil, with less need for hydrogenation. Because soybeans with a lower linolenic acid level reduce the need for partial hydrogenation, their application in processed soybean oils will reduce the presence of trans fats in processed soybean oil.

“VISTIVE low-lin soybeans represent an innovative approach to addressing the trans fat issue, and we are excited to be part of that solution,” said Cliff Meeuwsen, president of ZFS. “VISTIVE soybeans are also an excellent example of creating new market value, which is what U.S. soybean producers are looking for. VISTIVE enables producers to get paid a premium and participate in a process that moves soybeans higher up the value chain in today’s market.”

MAC Spokesperson Jerry Craner said, “We’re excited to have our Jasper and Breckenridge facilities on-line so more Michigan farmers can participate in this program. This market is growing quickly, and we’re pleased to help lead the expansion for Michigan.”

The development of VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans is significant because, as of Jan. 1, 2006, all food products and dietary supplements bearing a nutritional facts panel that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and sold in the United States were required to list trans fat content. Kentucky Fried Chicken, for instance, announced recently that it is using oil from VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans as part of a major initiative to reduce or eliminate trans fats in a number of its products.

“Food companies are very interested in reducing trans fats, so we are expanding acreage and geography of VISTIVE soybeans to make them more available to food companies. We are very pleased to work with MAC and ZFS to enable more Michigan soybean farmers to take advantage of this exclusive new premium market opportunity, which is offered only to North American farmers,” said Ernesto Fajardo, Vice President of U.S. Crop Production for Monsanto.

Monsanto is targeting 1.5 million acres of VISTIVE production for 2007, including acres in Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska. VISTIVE soybeans have the Roundup Ready® trait and maintain performance parity with other commercial soybean varieties. Great Lakes offers five Vistive soybeans for 2007 plantings.

Specific information regarding grower opportunities and contract details are available from ZFS.

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