Each company selling Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans is transitioning at the pace they each decide, based on their individual strategy, product needs, and their customers' demand.
If you look at the seed product guides for these companies you’ll notice that their newest, most elite varieties are all Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield®.
When the crop of 2011 is planted, some companies will be well over 75% transitioned while many others will be at or above 50%, so this year will be the “tipping point” for this technology.
You can’t plant left over OR1 soybean seed in 2012. Nothing has changed with the terms and conditions of the TSA in 2011. Growers have agreed in 2011 not to plant any unused quantities of OR1 soybeans or Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans in any subsequent planting season.
The Canadian OR1 patent expires in August 2011.
With the expiry of the OR1 patent, there are a number of new opportunities and obligations for soybean farmers related to the purchase, saving and/or replanting of OR1 soybeans. Starting in 2012, a farmer may decide to purchase certified OR1 seed from a seed company without contractual obligations or royalty payments. Starting in 2012, farmers will also have the option to save OR1 seed from their 2012 harvest for replanting in 2013.
Yes. Even though the Roundup Ready soybean technology patent expires in 2011, farmers using this technology in 2011 will still be doing so during the life of the patent. Accordingly, they need to be aware that the patent law associated with this technology remains in effect and will continue to be enforced. The Technology Protection Field Check Program will also continue for Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans and other technologies.
As it has done every year since the introduction of Roundup Ready soybean technology in Canada, Monsanto will continue to operate its Technology Protection Field Check Program as a way to help maintain a level playing field for all farmers using and benefitting from this technology. Ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the Technology Stewardship Agreement is an important part of ensuring that farmers continue to have access to new products and technologies and helps keep farming fair for everyone.
Seed company licensees will be able to continue to sell OR1 soybeans after 2011. They will not be required to destroy or return seed to the patent holder, due to the expiration of their original OR1 soybean trait licences. Seed company licensees working with the next-generation Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean technology will also be able to continue to sell varieties with OR1 technology after the patent expires, should they choose to do so.
Yes. Seed company licensees with a current OR1 soybean license will be able to continue to produce and sell OR1 soybean varieties after 2011.
Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans are a new and different trait than original Roundup Ready® soybeans. Accordingly, the changes that affect the use of the Roundup Ready soybeans when the patent for it expires in August 2011, do not apply to Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans.
As a new and different trait that remains under patent protection, Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans will continue to be sold in Canada to farmers who sign a Technology Stewardship Agreement (TSA).
Yes. This has already happened. One of the objectives and outcomes of the patent system is to stimulate and motivate individuals and companies to invest in new technologies. In the case of soybeans specifically, Monsanto and other companies continue to invest in the development of new soybean traits that will benefit Canadian farmers. The recent introduction of Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans with significantly improved yield potential is an excellent example of new technology that benefits Canadian farmers.