WHAT IS MONSANTO UP TO NOW?
GOOD QUESTION! analysis by Brewster Kneen, July 5, 1998 Pentagon, Prowl, Pursuit, Sceptre, Squadron, Steel, Raptor, Cadre, Lightening, Avenge… these are some of Cyanamid’s herbicides. Cyanamid is a division of American Home Products (AHP) that just merged with (i.e., bought) Monsanto. Monsanto then purchased the global seeds business of Cargill (except for Canada and the US) for $1.4 billion. The announcement in May that Monsanto and Cargill would form a worldwide 50/50 joint venture to create and market new grain processing and animal feed products “enhanced through biotechnology” came as something of a surprise, given the radically different corporate cultures of the two companies. Cargill has, for more than 150 years, taken the long view, made strategic decisions not on the basis of a quick return to shareholders but what would build the corporation over years, and held its corporate tongue. Cargill has also withdrawn from businesses, either when it becomes apparent that they will
