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To: Mr.Gogo who wrote (46592)	2/14/2012 10:21:29 PM
From: E_K_S	1 Recommendation Respond to of 78745

Hi Mr. Gogo - Re: Monsanto Yes that company has taken their business model to the extreme which I feel is not necessary. Maybe DOW and their genetic seed division can capitalize on Monsanto's lawyer greed. I believe there is a place for genetic seeds and the efficiency they bring to AG production especially when used w/ their Round-Up product (now off patent). That combination has increased farmer's harvest yields significantly. However, the contracts that Monsanto make the farmers sign for using their seeds are almost usurious (especially in foreign countries like Brazil). Small farmers that elect to use conventional seeds and/or grow Certified Organic are now being impacted by Monsanto's business model. It's having the biggest effect in the third world where many of the small farms can't afford to use Monsanto's seeds. These farmers are excluded (by Monsanto's contracts) to freely sell their harvest to the large processors. They essentially get shut out of the market (they can not sell into many of the distribution channels) because Monsanto's lawyers own the processors via the large grower seed contracts Monsanto controls. Every year Monsanto gains more control over the farmer's production. Is the increased yield worth it? Maybe if the business model is changed that eliminates the "reach" of their seed patents limiting their litigation rewards. FWIW, there is some very good work being done at the AG Universities developing genetic strains of plants (like rice & specialty grasses) that can grow in saline water that makes unproductive land productive. EKS