Monsanto Canada, CCA sign new agreement

OTTAWA, June 16, 2009…The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) today announced that Monsanto Canada has extended its involvement as the presenting sponsor of several premier curling championships in Canada through 2013. This new multi-year agreement makes Monsanto the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Ford world women’s curling championship, March 20-28 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Tim Hortons Brier (Canadian men’s curling championship) and the next three Continental Cups (the Ryder Cup-like competition featuring Team North America versus Team World) during those seasons, at sites and dates to be announced. “The Canadian Curling Association is fortunate to have such incredible corporate partners,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the CCA.  “Monsanto has made investments within our sport for a number of years now, but this type of commitment has entrenched their brand within curling well into the future. “This is another sign of the passion our corporate partners are showing for our championships in the post-2010 era and the significant value they feel they receive. On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to sincerely thank Monsanto for their commitment to the CCA, and in particular, our Season of Champions properties.” Currently, Monsanto is the presenting sponsor for the 2009 Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials (Roar of the Rings), December 6-13 in Edmonton, the pre-Trials event (Road to the Roar), November 10-14 in Prince George and the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier, March 6-14 in Halifax.  The company has been the presenting sponsor of the Brier since 2006. “We look forward to enhancing our relationship with curling fans across the country as the presenting sponsor of these championships through 2013,” said Trish Jordan, Public Affairs Director, Monsanto Canada. “Curling is a grassroots game that lends itself to community involvement and it is embraced by our farm customers as both participants and spectators.   As a company 100 per cent focused on agriculture, it makes sense for us to find a way to support this passion among our employee and customer base.” As the presenting sponsor, the Monsanto brand is incorporated into the event logo, in addition to in-ice signage, rinkboards, scoreboards and hack signs.   There are also numerous hosting opportunities for its customers and employees during each of the events. Monsanto Canada, which first became involved in curling as a diamond sponsor of the 2001 Canadian Curling Trials in Regina, is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Its 300 Canadian employees are part of the larger, global Monsanto family headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 20,000 employees worldwide. Monsanto Company is an agricultural company and a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.  It offers Canadian farmers a full line of canola, corn and soybean seed which is marketed under the DEKALB® brand name and works with industry partners to broadly license its biotechnology traits including Genuity™ Roundup Ready® technology for canola, corn and soybeans and YieldGard® insect protection for corn. Monsanto also markets a range of crop protection products including Roundup brand herbicides that have been instrumental in helping farmers reduce tillage and adopt more sustainable farming practices. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy. You can learn more about Monsanto’s business and commitments at www.monsanto.com. -30- For further information: Greg Stremlaw Chief Executive Officer Canadian Curling Association 613-834-2076, ext 117 [email protected] Trish Jordan Public Affairs Director Monsanto Canada Inc. 204-985-1005 [email protected] Dekalb® is a registered trademark of Dekalb Genetics Corporation, Monsanto Canada Inc. licensee.  Genuity™  Roundup®, Roundup Ready® and YieldGard® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada Inc. licensee.  ©2009 Monsanto Canada Inc.