Monsanto
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFormer American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company best known for Roundup herbicide and genetically engineered crop seeds.
Last updated October 16, 2026
Overview
Monsanto was an American chemical, agrochemical, seed, and agricultural biotechnology company founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1901 by John Francis Queeny. It began by manufacturing commodity chemicals and food additives, including saccharin, caffeine, and vanillin, before expanding into industrial chemicals, plastics, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The company’s early corporate history included the manufacture of products that later became highly controversial, including DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Agent Orange components, and recombinant bovine growth hormone. During the first half of the twentieth century, Monsanto expanded its chemical operations through acquisitions and international partnerships. It entered PCB production after acquiring Swann Chemical Company in 1935 and later developed substantial capabilities in industrial research. Its Dayton laboratories participated in research associated with the Manhattan Project during the Second World War. After the war, the company marketed detergents, synthetic materials, and industrial chemicals, and it established a major position in polyurethane production through its Mobay partnership with Bayer. Monsanto also played a role in the development of LED technology, synthetic turf, the Monsanto process for producing acetic acid, and pharmaceutical research. Its scientists developed an industrial process for producing L-dopa, a treatment for Parkinson’s disease; work associated with this research contributed to William S. Knowles receiving the 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. From the 1960s through the 1980s, Monsanto remained closely associated with large-scale chemical manufacturing. It produced Agent Orange for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War and ceased PCB production in 1977. Environmental and public-health disputes surrounding these products later became major parts of the company’s reputation. In parallel, Monsanto began shifting toward life sciences and agricultural biotechnology. Its researchers helped create some of the earliest genetically modified plant cells and conducted early field trials of genetically engineered crops. The company’s strategic transformation accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s. Under chief executives including Richard Mahoney and Robert Shapiro, Monsanto acquired biotechnology, seed, pharmaceutical, and agricultural businesses while divesting many traditional chemical operations. Important transactions included the acquisition of G.D. Searle, Agracetus, Calgene, Dekalb, Cargill’s international seed business, and other seed companies. Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide introduced in the 1970s, became Monsanto’s most recognizable product, while glyphosate-tolerant crops and proprietary seed traits became central to its agricultural business model. In 1999, Monsanto agreed to merge with Pharmacia & Upjohn. Pharmacia subsequently separated the agricultural business into a new Monsanto, while the pharmaceutical activities eventually became part of Pfizer. The post-2000 Monsanto focused primarily on seeds, crop traits, herbicides, and farm technology. It expanded through purchases such as Seminis, Delta and Pine Land, De Ruiter Seeds, Precision Planting, and The Climate Corporation. These businesses gave Monsanto positions in vegetable seeds, cotton, commercial seeds, precision planting, digital agriculture, and weather-based farm services. Monsanto was also criticized for patent-based seed licensing, genetically modified crops, lobbying, alleged conflicts involving regulators, and the environmental and health effects associated with glyphosate, dicamba, PCBs, and earlier chemical products. Public protests under the March Against Monsanto banner took place internationally in 2013 and 2014. Monsanto unsuccessfully attempted to acquire Syngenta in 2015. In 2016, Bayer agreed to acquire Monsanto for approximately $66 billion in cash. Regulatory approval was obtained in the United States and European…
History
Monsanto was established in St. Louis in 1901 by John Francis Queeny and initially operated as a chemical and food-additives manufacturer. Saccharin, caffeine, and vanillin were among its early products. During the interwar period it expanded into industrial chemicals, sulfuric acid, plastics, and PCBs. Acquisitions and research partnerships strengthened its technical base, including the purchase of Swann Chemical Company and Thomas & Hochwalt Laboratories. During the Second World War, Monsanto laboratories participated in research connected with the Manhattan Project. After 1945, Monsanto diversified into detergents, synthetic materials, polyurethane, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. It manufactured DDT from 1944 and later produced PCBs, both of which became central to environmental controversy. The company also manufactured Agent Orange for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. At the same time, Monsanto developed technologies with longer-term scientific and commercial significance, including LED components, synthetic turf, the Monsanto acetic-acid process, and an industrial method for producing L-dopa. Monsanto’s transition into agricultural biotechnology began in earnest during the 1980s. Its researchers were among the first to genetically modify plant cells and to conduct field trials of genetically engineered crops. The company increasingly adopted a biotechnology business model in which patents, licensing, seed development, and crop traits were used to recover research and development costs. Acquisitions of G.D. Searle, Agracetus, Calgene, Dekalb, and Cargill’s international seed business expanded its capabilities in pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, corn, soybeans, cotton, and international seed distribution. Roundup, introduced in the 1970s, became Monsanto’s best-known commercial product. The company later developed crops engineered to tolerate glyphosate, enabling farmers to use the herbicide over growing crops. This system became commercially important but also generated disputes over herbicide resistance, biodiversity, patent enforcement, farmer independence, and potential health and environmental effects. Monsanto also commercialized recombinant bovine somatotropin under the Posilac brand and developed vegetable, cotton, and field-crop seed portfolios. The 1999 merger with Pharmacia & Upjohn reorganized Monsanto’s businesses. Pharmacia separated the agricultural operations into a new Monsanto, while the pharmaceutical activities were later absorbed into Pfizer. The post-2000 company concentrated on seeds, crop-protection products, biotechnology traits, precision agriculture, and farm data. It acquired Seminis, Delta and Pine Land, De Ruiter Seeds, Precision Planting, and The Climate Corporation, while cooperating with BASF on biotechnology research and commercialization. The company’s public profile was shaped as much by controversy as by innovation. Historical production of PCBs, DDT, and Agent Orange generated environmental claims and litigation. Later disputes focused on genetically modified crops, seed patents, lobbying, regulatory relationships, glyphosate, dicamba, and alleged failures to disclose risks. International demonstrations organized under the March Against Monsanto name reflected opposition to the company’s agricultural model. Bayer agreed to acquire Monsanto in 2016. The transaction required divestitures to satisfy competition regulators and closed on June 7, 2018. Bayer retired the Monsanto name and integrated the agricultural operations into its own business. Monsanto consequently became a defunct independent company, while products, patents, assets, and liabilities associated with it continued under Bayer.
- 2018
Monsanto name is retired
[2]Bayer completes the acquisition and discontinues Monsanto as a corporate name.
- 2016
Bayer agrees to acquisition
[3]Bayer announces an agreement to acquire Monsanto for approximately $66 billion in cash.
- 2013
International protests
[4]March Against Monsanto demonstrations occur in hundreds of cities.
- 2005
Seminis acquisition
[1]Monsanto acquires Seminis, expanding its global vegetable and fruit seed business.
- 2000
New Monsanto is separated
[1]Pharmacia spins off an agricultural biotechnology company operating under the Monsanto name.
- 1999
Merger with Pharmacia & Upjohn
[1]Monsanto agrees to combine with Pharmacia & Upjohn, leading to the later separation of the agricultural business.
- 1996
Expansion into major seed businesses
[1]Monsanto acquires Agracetus and begins acquiring a controlling interest in Dekalb.
- 1987
Early field trials of genetically modified crops
[1]Monsanto conducts some of the first field trials of genetically engineered crops.
- 1983
Early plant genetic engineering
[1]Monsanto scientists are among the first groups to introduce genes into plant cells.
- 1970
Roundup herbicide is developed
[1]Monsanto develops glyphosate-based Roundup, later its most recognizable product.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Agricultural biotechnology and farm-input company focused on proprietary seeds, crop traits, herbicides, and data-enabled farming.
Herbicide · 1970
Roundup
Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide introduced by Monsanto in the 1970s. It became one of the world’s most recognizable weed-control products and was sold for agricultural, commercial, and consumer uses. Its commercial importance increased alongside Monsanto’s development of crops engineered to tolerate glyphosate. The product later became the subject of extensive litigation and regulatory debate concerning alleged links between glyphosate exposure and cancer, as well as questions about product warnings and corporate conduct.
Genetically engineered crop technology · 1996
Roundup Ready
Roundup Ready refers to Monsanto crop varieties engineered to tolerate glyphosate applications. The technology was deployed in major crops including soybeans, maize, cotton, and canola. It enabled farmers to control weeds using glyphosate without killing the engineered crop and became a foundation of Monsanto’s integrated seed-and-herbicide business. The system also prompted disputes about patent licensing, herbicide resistance, agricultural concentration, and environmental impacts.
Field-crop seeds
Dekalb
Dekalb was a major seed business centered on corn and other field crops. Monsanto acquired an initial stake in 1996 and purchased the remaining interest in 1998. The brand supplied commercial farmers with conventional and genetically engineered seed varieties and became part of Monsanto’s global crop-seed portfolio.
Vegetable seeds
Seminis
Seminis was a leading international vegetable-seed company acquired by Monsanto in 2005. Its portfolio covered a broad range of vegetable and fruit crops developed through conventional breeding and related seed technologies. The acquisition strengthened Monsanto’s position beyond commodity crops and gave it a major global platform in commercial horticultural seeds.
Cotton seed traits
Bollgard
Bollgard is a Monsanto cotton technology incorporating an insect-protection trait. It was marketed through cotton seed varieties and formed part of Monsanto’s broader strategy of combining proprietary genetics with crop-protection characteristics. Cotton traits and germplasm became a major area of Monsanto’s agricultural biotechnology business through acquisitions and internal development.
Digital agriculture
The Climate Corporation
The Climate Corporation provided data-driven agricultural services based on weather modeling, historical information, and farm data. Monsanto acquired the company in 2013 as part of its expansion into precision agriculture. Its technology was intended to help farmers make decisions about planting and field management and illustrated Monsanto’s move beyond physical inputs into software and analytics.
Controversies
2019
Australian farmer sues Monsanto over Roundup
NSW farmer Ross Wild filed a lawsuit against Monsanto, alleging that long-term exposure to Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and that product warnings were inadequate. Bayer Australia said the scientific evidence supported the conclusion that Roundup did not cause the disease.
2019
Monsanto fined $10.2 million over pesticide spraying in Hawaii
Modern Farmer reported that Monsanto was fined $10.2 million for spraying an illegal pesticide in Hawaii. The supplied article does not identify the authority imposing the fine or provide further details.
2019
Monsanto agrees to plea deal and more than $10 million in fines
Monsanto agreed to plead guilty to unlawfully using a banned pesticide on research crops in Maui and to pay more than $10 million in fines and community-service payments. The U.S. Justice Department released the plea agreement on Thursday.
2019
Brazilian court rules in Monsanto seed-royalty dispute
Brazil's appeals court ruled against Brazilian farmers' unions, holding that farmers cannot save seeds for replanting when the seeds are harvested from Monsanto's patented Roundup Ready soybeans. Monsanto said the decision would strengthen agricultural innovation in Brazil.
2018
Roundup cancer litigation
Lawsuits alleged that exposure to Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that Monsanto failed to provide adequate warnings. Jury verdicts and continuing settlements created substantial legal and reputational challenges for Bayer after the acquisition.
2018
Dicamba litigation and crop-damage disputes
Monsanto’s dicamba-related products became associated with disputes over alleged off-target drift, crop damage, and regulatory approval. The controversy continued after Bayer acquired the company.
1977
PCB contamination and liability
Monsanto stopped producing PCBs in 1977, but contamination associated with earlier production and the later corporate separation of Solutia generated decades of environmental claims and litigation.
1970
DDT environmental controversy
Monsanto manufactured DDT before the insecticide was prohibited in the United States in 1972 because of environmental and ecological concerns.
1970
Agent Orange controversy
Monsanto was among the manufacturers of Agent Orange supplied to the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Veterans and others later pursued claims concerning exposure and related health effects.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Second March Against Monsanto
International
A second wave of demonstrations continued opposition to Monsanto, genetically engineered food, glyphosate, and corporate control of seeds.
Outcome. The campaign sustained international media and activist attention.
- 2013March Against Monsanto
United States · Europe · Latin America · Asia-Pacific
A coordinated international protest movement criticized genetically modified crops, glyphosate, seed patents, corporate influence, and agricultural regulation. Demonstrations were reported in more than 400 cities, making the campaign a prominent expression of public opposition to Monsanto’s business model.
Outcome. The protests increased public attention around Monsanto and agricultural biotechnology but did not directly change the company’s corporate structure or product portfolio.
Brand decisions
2016
Agreement to be acquired by BayerM&ABackground
Monsanto sought a major strategic combination as agricultural-input companies consolidated globally.
Action taken
Monsanto agreed to Bayer’s all-cash acquisition offer, subject to competition and regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in 2018 after divestitures, and Bayer retired the Monsanto corporate name.
Transaction value. $66 billion (Announced 2016; completed 2018)
2015
Attempted acquisition of SyngentaM&ABackground
Monsanto pursued a combination with Swiss agricultural biotechnology and crop-protection company Syngenta to broaden its global agricultural platform.
Action taken
Monsanto made proposals valued at approximately $46.5 billion but ultimately abandoned the approach after Syngenta rejected the offers.
Aftermath
Monsanto remained independent until Bayer agreed to acquire it the following year.
2013
Acquisition of The Climate CorporationM&ABackground
Monsanto aimed to add software, weather modeling, and data analytics to its agricultural-input business.
Action taken
Monsanto acquired The Climate Corporation and incorporated digital agriculture capabilities.
Aftermath
The acquisition supported Monsanto’s expansion into precision farming and farm-management services.
Acquisition price. $930 million (2013)
2005
Acquisition of SeminisM&ABackground
Monsanto sought to expand from field crops into commercial vegetable and fruit seeds.
Action taken
Monsanto acquired Seminis and added its international vegetable-seed portfolio.
Aftermath
The transaction made Monsanto a leading conventional vegetable-seed supplier.
Acquisition price. $1.4 billion (2005)
1997
Refocus on biotechnology and agricultureStrategyBackground
Monsanto was divesting traditional chemical operations and seeking growth through patented biotechnology, seeds, and crop traits.
Action taken
The company concentrated investment and acquisitions on agricultural biotechnology while separating or selling unrelated chemical businesses.
Aftermath
This strategy established Monsanto as a major global seed and crop-trait company but increased its exposure to regulatory, patent, and public-policy disputes.
Recent events
- 2018
Bayer completes acquisition of Monsanto[2]
M&A · Leadership change
The acquisition closed after regulatory approvals, and Bayer announced that the Monsanto name would be discontinued.
- 2016
Bayer announces agreement to acquire Monsanto[14]
M&A
Bayer announced an all-cash agreement to acquire Monsanto in a transaction valued at approximately $66 billion.
- 2015
Monsanto withdraws proposed Syngenta acquisition[6]
M&A
Monsanto abandoned its effort to acquire Syngenta after the Swiss company rejected successive proposals.
Sources17 sources
- 1Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
- 2Bayer completes acquisition of Monsantobayer.com
- 3Bayer to acquire Monsantobayer.com
- 4March Against Monsantoen.wikipedia.org
- 5U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Dicambaepa.gov
- 6Attempted acquisition of Syngentareuters.com
- 7Agent Orange controversyen.wikipedia.org
- 8PCB contamination and liabilityen.wikipedia.org
- 9Roundup cancer litigationreuters.com
- 10Australian farmer sues Monsanto over Roundupabc.net.au
- 11Monsanto fined $10.2 million over pesticide spraying in Hawaiimodernfarmer.com
- 12Monsanto agrees to plea deal and more than $10 million in finescourthousenews.com
- 13Brazilian court rules in Monsanto seed-royalty disputetheconversation.com
- 14拜耳宣布同意收购孟山都reuters.com
- 15Monsanto Completes Acquisition of De Ruiter Seedsagwired.com
- 16Monsanto Wins $7.7 Billion Lawsuit in Brazil, But Farmers Continue to Fighttruthout.org
- 17Monsanto wins $7.7b lawsuit in Brazil — but farmers’ fight to stop its royalty system will continuesalon.com
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