Few growers have thought about legally transferring saved Roundup Ready soybeans out of their grain bins to dump in the planter or drill when seeding no-till fields. But with the patents expiring on the older Roundup Ready soybean technology in 4 years, it might be a possibility.

Monsanto has agreed to maintain export approvals for this older Roundup Ready technology through 2021, even though the patent’s expiration in 2014 will turn it into an unprotected generic trait.

The company has also agreed not to collect royalties on the technology after 2014. Other seed companies will not be obligated to destroy or return seed with the expiration of these trait licenses.

Monsanto says it will not use variety patents against U.S. farmers who save varieties containing the expired Roundup Ready trait for planting on their own farms. This may not be the case with other seed companies.

Bin-Run Beans?

When No-Till Farmer readers were surveyed about whether they would plant bin-run Roundup Ready soybean seed after the patent expires, 33% indicated they would. Another 43% were not sure, while 24% would not plant bin-run seed since they prefer the seed-treatment protection and conditioning they get with newer bean varieties.

Some 86% indicated the reasons for using bin-run Roundup Ready soybean seed was that it be a cheaper seed alternative; 54% said it would be because of the elimination of tech or licensing fees; and 31% said it’s because they don’t believe anticipated yield increases with the newer Roundup Ready 2 Yield…