Q. |
|
When and where is the annual meeting? |
We will hold the annual meeting of shareowners on Tuesday,
January 17, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time in K Building at the Companys Creve Coeur Campus, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis,
Missouri 63167. A map with directions to the meeting can be found near the back of the proxy statement.
Q. |
|
Who is entitled to vote at the meeting? |
You are entitled to vote at the meeting if you owned shares as of
the close of business on November 18, 2005, the record date for the meeting.
Q. |
|
What am I being asked to vote on at the
meeting? |
We are asking our shareowners to elect directors, to ratify the
appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, to approve the performance goal under §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
to vote on two shareowner proposals.
Q. |
|
What vote of the shareowners is needed? |
Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote with
respect to each matter on which it is entitled to vote. Our directors are elected by a plurality of votes, which means that the nominees who receive
the greatest number of votes will be elected. Under our by-laws, a majority of the shares present at the meeting in person or by proxy is required for
approval of all other items.
Q. |
|
Can I vote by telephone or over the
Internet? |
Most shareowners have a choice of voting in one of four ways: via
Internet, telephone, mail or in person at the meeting. Please read the instructions attached to the proxy card or the information sent by your broker
or bank.
Q. |
|
Where can I get additional copies of the proxy
materials? |
To get additional copies of proxy materials, please feel free to
call (314) 694-3155.
Q. |
|
How can I get assistance in voting my
shares? |
To get help in voting your shares, please contact Morrow &
Co., Inc. at (800) 607-0088.
Q. |
|
What do I do if my shares of common stock are held in
street name at a bank or brokerage firm? |
If your shares are held in street name by a bank or brokerage
firm as your nominee, your bank or broker will send you a separate package describing the procedure for voting your shares. You should follow the
instructions provided by your bank or brokerage firm.
Q. |
|
What happens if I return my signed proxy card but forget to
indicate how I want my shares of common stock voted? |
If you sign, date and return your proxy and do not mark how you
want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote FOR all of the nominees for directors, FOR the ratification of our
independent registered public accounting firm, FOR the approval of the performance goal under §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
AGAINST the two shareowner proposals.
Q. |
|
What happens if I do not instruct my broker how to vote or
if I mark abstain on the proxy? |
Under our by-laws, if you mark your proxy abstain,
your vote will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. If you do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker will vote your shares
for you at his or her discretion on routine matters such as the election of directors or ratification of independent registered public accounting
firms. Broker non-votes have the same effect as votes cast against a particular proposal.
Q. |
|
Can I change my voting instructions before the
meeting? |
Except with respect to voting instructions for shares held in the
Companys Savings and Investment Plan, you can revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by timely delivery of a properly executed,
later-dated proxy (including an Internet or telephone vote), by delivering a written revocation of your proxy to the Secretary of Monsanto, or by
voting at the meeting. The method by which you vote by a proxy will in no way limit your right to vote at the meeting if you decide to attend in
person. If your shares are held in the name of a bank or brokerage firm, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank or broker, to
be able to vote at the meeting.
Voting instructions with respect to shares held in the
Companys Savings and Investment Plan cannot be revoked or changed after 10:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on January 11, 2006.
Q. |
|
Will I have access to the proxy statement over the
Internet? |
Yes. In addition to receiving paper copies of the proxy statement
and annual report in the mail, you can view these documents over the Internet by accessing our website at http://www.monsanto.com and clicking on the
Investor Information tab at the top of the page. Information on our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement. You can
choose to view future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies by mail. Please read the enclosure
accompanying this proxy statement for detailed information regarding these procedures.
Q. |
|
What do I need to do if I plan to attend the meeting in
person? |
If you plan to attend the annual meeting and you hold your shares
directly in your name, please vote your proxy but keep the admission ticket attached to your proxy card and bring it with you to the meeting. If your
shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must present proof of your ownership, such as a bank or brokerage account
statement, to be admitted to the meeting. In addition, if your shares are held in the name of a bank or brokerage firm, you must obtain a proxy,
executed in your favor, from the bank or broker, to be able to vote at the meeting. Shareowners must also present a form of personal identification in
order to be admitted to the meeting.
The board of directors of Monsanto Company is soliciting proxies
from its shareowners in connection with the Companys Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, and at any and all
adjournments thereof. The meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time in K Building at the Companys Creve Coeur Campus, 800 N.
Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis County, Missouri.
If you plan to attend the meeting in person and you hold your
shares directly in your name as a shareowner of record, an admission ticket is attached to your proxy card. Please vote your proxy but keep the
admission ticket and bring it with you to the meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must
present proof of your ownership, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to be admitted to the meeting. In addition, if your shares are held in
the name of a bank or brokerage firm, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank or broker, to be able to vote at the meeting.
Shareowners must also present a form of personal identification in order to be admitted to the meeting.
We first began delivering to all shareowners of record this proxy
statement, the accompanying form of proxy and the Companys 2005 Annual Report to Shareowners on December 14, 2005.
Information Regarding Our
Formation
Prior to September 1, 1997, a corporation that was then known as
Monsanto Company (Former Monsanto or old Monsanto) operated an agricultural products business (the Ag Business),
pharmaceuticals and nutrition business (the Pharmaceuticals Business) and a chemical products business (the Chemicals
Business). Former Monsanto is today known as Pharmacia Corporation (Pharmacia). Pharmacia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer,
Inc., which together with its subsidiaries operates the Pharmaceuticals Business. Our business consists of the operations, assets and liabilities that
were previously the Ag Business. Solutia Inc. (Solutia) comprises the operations, assets and liabilities that were previously the Chemicals
Business. The table provided in Appendix A sets forth a chronology of events that resulted in the formation of Monsanto, Pharmacia and Solutia as three
separate and distinct corporations.
Information Regarding Our Fiscal
Year
In July 2003, we changed from a calendar year end to a fiscal
year ending August 31. Consequently, the Company had an eight-month transition period from January 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003. The information in
this proxy statement covers the full 12-month period beginning September 1, 2004 and ending August 31, 2005 (which we refer to in this proxy statement
as our 2005 fiscal year).
Shareowners Entitled To
Vote
You are entitled to vote (in person or by proxy) at the annual
meeting if you were a shareowner of record at the close of business on November 18, 2005. On November 18, 2005, 268,901,698 shares of our common stock
were outstanding and entitled to vote and no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election
of directors. Shareowners of record are entitled to one vote per share on all matters.
1
Proxies and Voting
Procedures
Most shareowners have a choice of voting by completing a
proxy/voting instruction card and mailing it in the postage-paid envelope provided, by using a toll-free telephone number, by voting over the Internet
or in person at the meeting. Please be aware that if you vote over the Internet, you may incur costs such as telephone and Internet access charges for
which you will be responsible. The telephone and Internet voting facilities for the shareowners of record of all shares, other than those held in the
Companys Savings and Investment Plan, will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 16, 2006. The Internet and telephone voting
procedures are designed to authenticate shareowners by use of a control number and to allow you to confirm that your instructions have been properly
recorded. If you hold your shares in street name through a bank or broker, your bank or broker will send you a separate package describing the
procedures and options for voting your shares.
If you participate in a Monsanto Stock Fund under the
Companys Savings and Investment Plan and had shares of the Companys common stock credited to your account on November 18, 2005, you will
receive a single proxy/voting instruction card with respect to all shares registered in the same name, whether inside or outside of the plan. If your
accounts inside and outside of the plan are not registered in the same name, you will receive a separate proxy/voting instruction card with respect to
the shares credited to your Savings and Investment Plan account. Voting instructions regarding plan shares must be received by 10:00 p.m. Central
Standard Time on January 11, 2006, and all telephone and Internet voting facilities with respect to plan shares will close at that
time.
Shares of common stock in the Companys Savings and
Investment Plan will be voted by The Northern Trust Company (Northern) as trustee of the plan. Plan participants in a Monsanto Stock Fund
should indicate their voting instructions to Northern for each action to be taken under proxy by completing and returning the proxy/voting instruction
card, by using the toll-free telephone number or by indicating their instructions over the Internet. All voting instructions from plan participants
will be kept confidential. If a participant fails to sign or to timely return the proxy/voting instruction card or otherwise timely indicate his or her
instructions by telephone or over the Internet, the shares allocated to such participant, together with unallocated shares, will be voted in accordance
with the pro rata vote of the participants who did provide instructions.
Except with respect to voting instructions for shares held in the
Companys Savings and Investment Plan, you can revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by timely delivery of a properly executed,
later-dated proxy (including an Internet or telephone vote), by delivering a written revocation of your proxy to our Secretary or by voting at the
meeting. You can revoke your voting instructions with respect to shares held in the Companys Savings and Investment Plan at any time prior to
10:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on January 11, 2006 by timely delivery of a properly executed, later-dated voting instruction card (or an Internet or
telephone vote), or by delivering a written revocation of your voting instructions to Northern. The method by which you vote will in no way limit your
right to vote at the meeting if you decide to attend in person. If your shares are held in the name of a bank or brokerage firm, you must obtain a
proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank or broker to be able to vote at the meeting.
Your properly completed proxy/voting instruction card will
appoint Hugh Grant and Charles W. Burson as proxy holders or your representatives, or Northern as trustee of the Companys Saving and Investment
Plan, as the case may be, to vote your shares in the manner directed therein by you. Mr. Grant is the chairman of the board, president and chief
executive officer of the Company. Mr. Burson is an executive vice president of the Company and our secretary and general counsel. Your proxy permits
you to direct the proxy holders or to instruct Northern, as the trustee of the Companys Saving and Investment Plan, as the case may be, to: (i)
vote for or withhold your votes from particular nominees for director; (ii) vote for, against or
abstain from the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys principal independent registered public
accounting firm for the year 2006; (iii) vote for, against or abstain from the approval of the performance goal
under §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; (iv) vote for, against or abstain from shareowner proposal one;
and (v) vote for, against, or abstain from shareowner proposal two.
All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly completed
proxy/voting instruction cards received prior to the meeting and not revoked will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. If you
do not indicate how your shares are to be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your properly completed
2
proxy/voting instruction card will be voted FOR
the nominees for director, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, FOR the approval of the
performance goal under §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and AGAINST the two shareowner proposals.
As far as the Company knows, the only matters to be brought
before the annual meeting are those referred to in this proxy statement. As to any other matters presented at the annual meeting, the persons named as
proxies may vote your shares in their discretion.
Required Vote
No business can be conducted at the annual meeting unless a
majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote are either present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. A plurality of the shares
present at the meeting in person or by proxy is required for the election of directors. Under our by-laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares present at the meeting in person or by proxy is required for all other items. For this purpose, abstentions and votes withheld by brokers in the
absence of instructions from street-name holders (broker non-votes) have the same effect as votes cast against a particular proposal.
Electronic Access to Proxy Materials
and Annual Report
Shareowners may view this proxy statement and our 2005 Annual
Report to Shareowners over the Internet by accessing our website at http://www.monsanto.com and clicking on the Investor Information tab at
the top of the page. Information on our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement.
In addition, most shareowners can elect to receive future proxy
statements and annual reports over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. If you are a shareowner of record, you can choose this
option and save the Company the cost of producing and mailing these documents by marking the appropriate box on your proxy card or by following the
instructions provided if you vote over the Internet or by telephone. Please read the enclosure accompanying this proxy statement for detailed
information regarding these procedures. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, please refer to the information provided by that entity for
instructions on how to elect to receive future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet.
Information Regarding Board of Directors and
Committees
Composition of
Board of Directors
Under the Companys amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, generally the number of directors of the Company is fixed, and may be increased or decreased from time to time by resolution of the
board of directors. Currently, the board has fixed the number of directors at ten members. There is one vacancy to the board at this time and we are
searching for a qualified individual to fill this vacancy. The board of directors is divided into three classes, with terms expiring at successive
annual meetings. In the case of an appointment of a director or if there is a change in the number of directors, the number of directors in each class
shall be apportioned as nearly equally as possible. The board has nominated three directors to be elected at the 2006 annual meeting to serve for a
three-year term ending with the annual meeting to be held in 2009, until a successor is elected and has qualified, or until his earlier death,
resignation or removal. Each nominee is currently a director of the Company.
The ages, principal occupations, directorships held and any other
information with respect to our nominees and directors, and the classes into which they have been divided, are shown below as of December 1, 2005
except as otherwise noted. We expect one vacancy to remain after the annual meeting in the class whose term expires in 2009.
3
Nominees for Directors Whose
Terms Expire at the 2009 Annual Meeting
|
|
|
|
Hugh Grant |
|
Principal Occupation: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Monsanto Company First Became Director: May
2003 Age: 47 |
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Monsanto Company since October 2003; President and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto Company since May 2003;
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Monsanto Company, 20002003; Co-President, Agricultural Sector, old Monsanto Company,
19982000. Director: PPG, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
C. Steven McMillan |
|
Principal Occupation: Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sara Lee Corporation First Became Director: June 2000 Age:
59 |
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Sara Lee Corporation, a global consumer packaged goods company, October 2001October 2005, Chief Executive
Officer of Sara Lee Corporation, July 2000February 2005; President of Sara Lee Corporation 20002004; President and Chief Operating Officer,
Sara Lee Corporation, 19972000. |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert J. Stevens |
|
Principal Occupation: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation First Became
Director: August 2002 Age: 54 |
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a high technology aerospace and defense company, since April 2005; President and Chief
Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation since August 2004; President and Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, October 2000August
2004; Chief Financial Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation, 19992001; Vice President Strategic Development of Lockheed Martin Corporation,
19981999; President and Chief Operating Officer of the former Lockheed Martin Energy and Environmental Sector, 19981999; Director: Lockheed
Martin Corporation. |
4
Directors Whose Terms Expire at
the 2007 Annual Meeting
|
|
|
|
Frank V. AtLee III |
|
Principal Occupation: Retired President, American Cyanamid Company First Became Director: June 2000 Age: 65 |
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Monsanto Company, 20002003; Interim president and chief executive officer, Monsanto Company, December
2002May 2003; Chair, Advisory Committee, Arizona Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 20022004; President of American Cyanamid
Company, a major pharmaceutical company, 1993January 1995; chairman of Cyanamid International, 1993January 1995. Director: Antigenetics
Inc. (Lead) and Nereus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Gwendolyn S. King |
|
Principal Occupation: President, Podium Prose First Became Director: February 2001 Age: 65 |
|
|
|
|
President, Podium Prose, a speakers bureau and speechwriting service founded in 2000; Founding Partner, The Directors Council, a
corporate board search firm, from October 2003 to May 2005; Senior Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs, PECO Energy Company (formerly
Philadelphia Electric Company), a diversified utility company, 19921998; Commissioner, Social Security Administration, 19891992. Director:
Lockheed Martin Corporation and Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sharon R. Long, Ph.D. |
|
Principal Occupation: Professor of Biological Sciences and Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University First
Became Director: February 2002 Age: 54 |
|
|
|
|
Professor of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, since 1992; Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University, since
September 2001; Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, conducting research at Stanford University, 19942001. |
5
Directors Whose Terms Expire at
the 2008 Annual Meeting
|
|
|
|
John W. Bachmann |
|
Principal Occupation: Senior Partner, Edward Jones First Became Director: May 2004 Age: 67 |
|
|
|
|
Senior Partner of Edward Jones, a major financial firm, since 2004; Managing Partner, Edward Jones, 19802004. Director: AMR
Corporation. |
|
|
|
|
|
William U. Parfet |
|
Principal Occupation: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MPI Research, Inc. First Became Director: June 2000 Age:
59 |
|
|
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MPI Research, Inc., a pre-clinical toxicology research laboratory, since 1999; Co-Chairman of MPI
Research, LLC, 19951999. Director: PAREXEL International Corporation, Stryker Corporation and Taubman Centers, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
George H. Poste, Ph.D., D.V.M. |
|
Principal Occupation: Chief Executive, Health Technology Networks and Director, Arizona Biodesign Institute First Became
Director: February 2003 Age: 61 |
|
|
|
|
Chief
Executive of Health Technology Networks, a consulting group specializing in the application of genomics technologies and computing in healthcare, since
1999; Director of the Arizona Biodesign Institute, a combination of research groups at Arizona State University, since May 2003; Chief Science and
Technology Officer and Director, SmithKline Beecham, 19921999. Director: Exelixis, Inc. and Orchid Cellmark, Inc. |
Presiding
Director
The board of directors charter and corporate governance
guidelines establishes the role of presiding director to be automatically filled by the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Mr. Stevens is chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee and therefore also serves as the presiding director. The board charter
directs the non-management directors to meet in executive session following or in conjunction with each regular board meeting without the chairman and
chief executive officer being present. In his role as presiding director, Mr. Stevens presides over these sessions. Additionally, the presiding
director serves as a member of the executive committee, is available to consult with the chairman and chief executive officer about concerns of the
board and is available for consultations with any of the senior executives of the Company as to any concerns such executives may have. Shareowners and
other interested persons may contact Mr. Stevens directly by mail at the Office of the Presiding Director, Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh
Boulevard, Mail Stop A3NA, St. Louis, Missouri 63167.
Shareowner Communication with the
Board of Directors
The board of directors has adopted a policy that provides a
process for shareowners to send communications to the board. Shareowners may contact the board of directors through our website at
http://www.monsanto.com or they may send correspondence to the board of directors at 800 North Lindbergh
6
Boulevard, Mail Stop A3NA, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, c/o
Charles W. Burson, our secretary and general counsel.
Board Meetings and
Committees
During the 2005 fiscal year, the board of directors met seven
times and took one action by unanimous written consent. All incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate meetings of the board and of the
board committees on which they served during the period in which they held office during the 2005 fiscal year.
The board charter formally encourages directors to attend the
annual meeting of shareowners. Last year all of the directors attended the annual meeting of shareowners.
Our board of directors has the following seven committees: (1)
executive; (2) people and compensation; (3) audit and finance; (4) nominating and corporate governance; (5) public policy and corporate responsibility;
(6) science and technology; and (7) restricted stock grant.
Executive
Committee
Members: Messrs. Grant (Chair), Parfet
and Stevens
Our executive committee has the powers of our board of directors
in directing the management of our business and affairs in the intervals between meetings of our board of directors (except for certain matters
otherwise delegated by our board of directors or which by statute, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our by-laws are reserved
for our entire board of directors). Actions of the executive committee are reported at the next regular meeting of our board of directors. The
executive committee met two times during the 2005 fiscal year and took two actions by unanimous written consent.
People and Compensation
Committee
Members: Messrs. McMillan (Chair),
Bachmann and Parfet and Ms. King
Our people and compensation committee is responsible for (i)
establishing and reviewing our compensation policy for senior management and ensuring that our senior management is compensated in a manner consistent
with that compensation policy; (ii) establishing and reviewing our overall compensation policy for all our employees and employees of our subsidiaries,
other than senior management; (iii) monitoring our management succession plan; (iv) reviewing and monitoring our performance as it affects our
employees and overall compensation policies for employees other than senior management; (v) establishing and reviewing our compensation policy for
non-employee directors; (vi) performing or delegating, reviewing and monitoring all of our settlor functions with respect to each employee pension or
welfare benefit plan sponsored by us or any of our subsidiaries; and (vii) producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our
proxy statement. Pursuant to its charter, our people and compensation committee must be comprised of at least three members of the board of directors
who, in the opinion of the board of directors, meet the independence requirements of the NYSE, are non-employee directors pursuant to
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 16b-3 and are outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). We believe all members of the people and compensation committee meet the independence
requirements of the listing standards of the NYSE and are outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. A copy of the
people and compensation committees written charter is available on our website at http://www.monsanto.com.
Our people and compensation committee delegated to a committee
composed of senior management authority to administer and interpret our long-term incentive plans, make grants and awards (other than awards of
restricted stock) under the incentive plans, and approve and administer other compensation plans for all employees except those employees subject to
the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any officer to whom compensation paid by the Company is subject to
the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code (we refer to these officers and employees collectively as executive officers). The
people and compensation committee met five times and took two actions by unanimous written consent during the 2005 fiscal year.
7
Audit and Finance
Committee
Members: Messrs. Parfet (Chair),
Bachmann, McMillan and Stevens
The audit and finance committee assists the Companys board
of directors in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee (i) the integrity of the Companys financial statements; (ii) the qualifications and
independence of our independent registered public accounting firm; (iii) the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and
internal audit staff; and (iv) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements. A complete description of the committees
responsibilities is set forth in the audit and finance committees written charter. A copy of this written charter is attached hereto as Appendix
B. Pursuant to its charter, the audit and finance committee has the sole authority to appoint or replace the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm, is required to approve all audit and non-audit engagements and services that are to be performed by the independent registered
public accounting firm and has the authority to retain special legal, accounting or other consultants to advise it. The charter also directs the audit
and finance committee to ensure the rotation of audit partners of the independent registered public accounting firm as required by law. The audit and
finance committee met 10 times during the 2005 fiscal year and took one action by unanimous written consent.
One of the requirements contained in the audit and finance
committee charter is that all committee members meet the independence and experience requirements of the listing standards of the NYSE. We believe all
members of the audit and finance committee meet the current listing standards of the NYSE pertaining to the independence and experience requirements of
members of a companys audit committee. Our board of directors has also determined that each of the members of the audit and finance committee is
an audit committee financial expert for purposes of the rules of the SEC and is independent, as that term is used in Schedule
14A, Item 7(d)(3)(iv) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, under our audit and finance committees charter, no
director may serve as a member of the audit and finance committee if he or she serves on the audit committees of more than two other public companies
unless the board of directors determines that such simultaneous service would not impair his or her ability to serve effectively on our
committee.
Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee
Members: Messrs. Stevens (Chair) and
McMillan and Ms. King
Our nominating and corporate governance committee identifies and
recommends individuals to our board of directors for nomination as members of the board and its committees. Our nominating and corporate governance
committee also leads the board of directors in its annual review of the boards performance, and develops and recommends to the board of directors
a set of corporate governance principles for the Company. A complete description of the committees responsibilities is set forth in the
nominating and corporate governance committees written charter. A copy of the charter is available on our website at
http://www.monsanto.com.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider
nominees recommended by shareowners for election to the board provided the names of such nominees, accompanied by relevant biographical information,
are submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company. When evaluating potential director candidates, the committee will take into consideration the
qualifications set forth on Attachment B to the board of directors charter and corporate governance guidelines, which is attached as Appendix E
hereto. The committee will also consider whether potential director candidates will likely satisfy the applicable independence standards for the board,
the audit and finance committee, the people and compensation committee and this committee, as set forth in Attachment A to the corporate governance
guidelines, which is attached hereto as Appendix D. The committee seeks input from other board members and senior management to identify and evaluate
nominees for director and may hire a search firm or other consultant to assist in the process. A third-party search firm has been engaged to assist in
identifying and evaluating potential candidates for our board of directors.
Pursuant to its charter, all three members of the nominating and
corporate governance committee must meet the independence requirements contained in the listing standards of the NYSE. We believe all members of the
nominating and corporate governance committee meet the current listing standards of the NYSE pertaining to
8
independence. In addition, the chairman of the nominating and
corporate governance committee serves as the presiding director of the board and presides over executive sessions of non-management directors. The
nominating and corporate governance committee met five times during the 2005 fiscal year and did not take any actions by unanimous written
consent.
Public Policy and Corporate
Responsibility Committee
Members: Ms. King (Chair), Dr. Poste,
Dr. Long and Mr. AtLee
Our public policy and corporate responsibility committee reviews
and monitors our performance as it affects communities, customers, other key stakeholders and the environment. This committee also reviews issues
affecting the acceptance of our products in the marketplace, including issues of agricultural biotechnology and identifies and investigates significant
emerging issues. The public policy and corporate responsibility committee met four times during the 2005 fiscal year and did not take any actions by
written consent.
Science and Technology
Committee
Members: Dr. Long (Chair), Dr. Poste
and Mr. AtLee
Our science and technology committee reviews and monitors our
science and technology initiatives in areas such as technological programs, research, agricultural biotechnology and information technology. Our
science and technology committee also identifies and investigates significant emerging science and technology issues. The science and technology
committee met five times during the 2005 fiscal year and did not take any actions by written consent.
Restricted Stock Grant
Committee
Member: Mr. McMillan
Our restricted stock grant committee has the authority to award
grants of restricted stock to all employees except executive officers. The committee determines the awards based upon recommendations by management.
The restricted stock grant committee did not meet during our 2005 fiscal year, but took five actions by unanimous written consent.
Corporate
Governance
We maintain a corporate governance page on our website which
includes key information about our corporate governance initiatives, including our Board of Directors Charter and Corporate Governance Guidelines, our
Code of Business Conduct, our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers and charters for the standing committees of
the board of directors. The corporate governance page can be found at http://www.monsanto.com, by clicking on Our Pledge, and then
Corporate Governance. Copies of these policies and codes can be obtained by any shareowner upon request by contacting the Office of the
General Counsel, Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167.
Our policies and practices reflect corporate governance
initiatives that comply with the listing requirements of the NYSE and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
including:
|
|
Our board of directors has adopted clear corporate governance
policies; |
|
|
The charters of the board committees clearly establish their
respective roles and responsibilities; |
|
|
We have adopted categorical independence standards for
determining director independence; |
|
|
All members of the audit and finance committee, the people and
compensation and committee, and the nominating and corporate governance committee are independent; |
|
|
The non-management members of the board of directors meet
regularly without the presence of management; |
|
|
We have a clear code of business conduct and corporate
governance applicable to our directors and employees that is monitored by our ethics office and is annually affirmed by our employees; |
|
|
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our chief
executive officer and the senior leadership of our finance department, including our chief financial officer and our controller; |
|
|
Our internal audit function maintains critical oversight over
the key areas of our business and financial processes and controls, and reports regularly to our audit and finance committee; |
9
|
|
We have established a Global Business Conduct Office with
working groups and facilitators in all parts of the world. Our code of business conduct has been translated into over 20 languages and distributed to
our employees; |
|
|
We have an outsourced guidance line and website available
worldwide for the receipt of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing matters, and have in place procedures for the anonymous
submission of employee concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and |
|
|
We have instituted the following methods under which an employee
may submit a complaint or question: private post office box; internal toll-free telephone number; and special e-mail mailbox dedicated to business
conduct matters. |
The board charter requires that not more than two members of the
board will fail to meet the criteria for independence established by the NYSE. Based on the boards categorical independence standards which are
attached as Appendix D hereto, the following directors, which constitute a majority of the board, are independent pursuant to the rules of the NYSE:
John W. Bachmann, Gwendolyn S. King; Sharon R. Long; C. Steven McMillan; William U. Parfet, George M. Poste; and Robert J.
Stevens.
Compensation of Directors
Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan
From September 1, 2004, the first day of our 2005 fiscal year,
until May 1, 2005, the effective date of the amendment to our Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan described below (which we refer to in this
proxy statement as the Directors Plan), each of our non-employee directors earned a base retainer, pursuant to the Directors
Plan, having an annualized value of $130,000. Additional retainers were also earned during this period having the following annualized values: (i)
$40,000 by any non-employee chairman of our board of directors; (ii) $25,000 by each of the chairs of the audit and finance committee, the people and
compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee (who is also our presiding director); (iii) $10,000 by each of the chairs
of all other committees; and (iv) $5,000 by each member of the audit and finance committee (other than the chair of that committee). On April 19, 2005,
our board of directors amended the Directors Plan effective as of May 1, 2005. Pursuant to the amendment, the annualized value of the base
retainer payable to each non-employee director was raised to $150,000, the annualized value of the additional retainers for each of the chair of the
science and technology committee and the chair of the public policy and corporate responsibility committee was raised to $15,000, and the annualized
value of the additional retainers to each member of the audit and finance committee (other than the chair of that committee) was raised to $10,000.
Half of the aggregate retainer for each director is payable in deferred common stock. The remainder is payable, at the election of each director, in
the form of deferred common stock, restricted common stock, current cash and/or deferred cash. The Directors Plan provides that a non-employee
director will receive a grant of 3,000 shares of restricted stock upon his or her commencement of service as a member of our board of
directors.
Deferred Common Stock. Deferred
common stock means shares of our common stock that are delivered at a specified time in the future. Under the Directors Plan, half of the
aggregate annual retainer for each non-employee director is automatically paid in the form of deferred common stock. Earned shares of deferred common
stock are credited in the form of hypothetical shares to a stock unit account at the beginning of each plan year and vests in installments as of the
last day of each calendar month during the plan year, but only if a director remains a member of the board on that day. Hypothetical shares in each
directors account are credited with dividend equivalents. No director has voting or investment power over any deferred shares until distributed
in accordance with the terms of the Directors Plan, generally upon termination of service.
Restricted Stock. Restricted stock
means shares of our common stock that vest in accordance with specified terms after they are granted. Dividends and other distributions are held in
escrow to be delivered with the restricted stock as it vests. Any portions of a non-employee directors aggregate annual retainer payable in the
form of restricted stock vests in installments on the last day of each calendar month during a plan year, but only if the director remains a member of
the board on that day. Any restricted stock granted to a non-employee director entitles the director to all rights of a shareowner with respect to
common stock for all such shares issued in his or her name, including the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends or other distributions paid
or made with respect to any such shares.
10
Cash/Deferred Cash. Under the
Directors Plan, any portion of a non-employee directors aggregate annual retainer not paid in the form of deferred stock or restricted
stock will be paid in cash, either monthly during the term or on a deferred basis, as elected by the director. Any deferred cash is credited to a cash
account that accrues interest at the average Moodys Baa Bond Index Rate, as in effect from time to time.
In addition to the compensation described above, non-employee
directors, and from time to time, their spouses or guests, are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with the non-employee directors
attendance at board, committee and shareowners meetings, including cost of travel, lodging, food and related expenses. Non-employee directors generally
use commercial aircraft or their own transportation, but may on occasion travel on Company aircraft for such meetings. Non-employee directors are also
reimbursed for reasonable expenses associated with other business activities related to their service on the board, such as participation in director
education programs.
Compensation Committee Interlocks
and Insider Participation
None of the members of the people and compensation committee is
or has been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, none of the members of the people and compensation committee
had any relationships with the Company or any other entity that require disclosure under the proxy rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. Mr.
Parfet is a member of the compensation committee of Stryker Corporation and also served on the compensation committee of CMS Energy Corporation until
May 2005. Ms. King is a member the management development and compensation committee and the stock option subcommittee at Lockheed
Martin.
Election of Directors (Proxy Item No.
1)
The shareowners are being asked to elect Messrs. Grant, McMillan
and Stevens to terms ending with the annual meeting to be held in 2009, until a successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier death,
resignation or removal. The board nominated Messrs. Grant, McMillan and Stevens for election at the 2006 Meeting of Shareowners upon the recommendation
of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each nominee is currently a director of the Company. For more information regarding the nominees
for director, see Information Regarding Board of Directors and Committees beginning at page 3.
We are also searching for a qualified person to add to our board
of directors to fill a vacancy. Because this person was not known at the time this proxy statement was delivered to shareowners, our board of directors
has determined to leave this seat vacant until an appropriate individual has been found. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than
the number of nominees named.
The board does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be
unable to stand for election, but should any nominee become unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, all proxies (except proxies marked to the
contrary) will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee nominated by the board.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR
ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm (Proxy Item No. 2)
Our audit and finance committee, pursuant to its charter, has
appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys principal independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and Monsanto managements assessment of internal controls over financial reporting for our 2006
fiscal year.
While the audit and finance committee is responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention, termination and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm, the audit and finance committee
and our board are requesting, as a matter of policy, that the shareowners ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys
principal independent registered public accounting firm. The audit
11
and finance committee is not required to take any action as a
result of the outcome of the vote on this proposal. However, if the shareowners do not ratify the appointment, the audit and finance committee may
investigate the reasons for shareowner rejection and may consider whether to retain Deloitte & Touche LLP or to appoint another auditor.
Furthermore, even if the appointment is ratified, the audit and finance committee in their discretion may direct the appointment of a different
independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the
Company and its shareowners.
A formal statement by representatives of Deloitte & Touche
LLP is not planned for the annual meeting. However, Deloitte & Touche LLP representatives are expected to be present at the meeting and available
to respond to appropriate questions. For a detailed listing of the fees expected to be billed to us by Deloitte & Touche LLP for professional
services in the 2005 fiscal year, see Committee Reports Report of the Audit and Finance Committee at page 32.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANYS PRINCIPAL
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR 2006 FISCAL YEAR.
Approval of Performance Goal Under §162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code (Proxy Item No. 3)
The shareowners are asked to consider and reapprove the material
terms of the performance goal used for determining awards to certain executive officers under the Code Section 162(m) Annual Incentive Plan for Covered
Executives established by the people and compensation committee. The performance goal was previously approved by shareowners at our 2001 Annual
Meeting.
Under Code Section 162(m), shareowner approval of the material
terms of the performance goal used for determining awards to certain executive officers under the Companys Annual Incentive Plan is required to
enable the Company to obtain a deduction for awards paid under the Annual Incentive Plan to any executive officer of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table for a given year, whose compensation for the taxable year is in excess of $1 million. If the material terms of the performance goal
used for determining awards under the Code Section 162(m) Annual Incentive Plan for certain executive officers are reapproved by shareowners, they will
go into effect for fiscal year 2007. If approved, and unless the material terms of the performance goal are subsequently changed, the material terms of
the performance goal used for determining awards to certain executive officers under the Code Section 162(m) Annual Incentive Plan established for Code
Section 162(m) purposes will meet the shareowner requirements of Section 162(m) until 2012.
Code Section 162(m) Annual Incentive Plan
Eligible Participants. Certain
executive officers, who will be chosen by the Company each year based upon a determination as to who may appear in the Summary Compensation Table and
earn in excess of $1 million for that year (approximately five people per year), will be eligible for awards only upon attainment of the objective
performance goal referenced in the next paragraph.
Performance Goal. No later than the
90th day of each performance year, the people and compensation committee will establish for
certain eligible executive officers it designates an objective performance goal based on corporate net income for that performance year. If the
performance goal established for the performance year is attained, the maximum award amount for an eligible executive officer will equal three-quarters
of one percent (.75%) of corporate net income for the applicable performance year (subject to reduction as described below). The committee must certify
the attainment of the applicable performance goal before an award is paid.
Net Income. For purposes of
determining attainment of the corporate performance goal and the maximum award amount, net income is defined to exclude unusual events, such as
restructuring charges and the cumulative effect of accounting changes required under generally accepted accounting principles, as pre-determined by the
committee.
12
Determination of Actual Awards. The
committee may decrease the actual award amount paid to an eligible executive for any performance year based on such secondary goals and considerations
as may be determined by the committee in its sole discretion. In no event shall the actual amount awarded to each of such executive officers with
respect to any performance year exceed three-quarters of one percent (.75%) of corporate net income for the applicable performance
year.
Amendments. The committee cannot
change the material terms of the performance goal or the formula for computing the maximum award payable, without first obtaining shareowner
approval.
A vote in favor of this proposal will be treated as a vote to
approve each of the material terms of the performance goal used for determining awards to certain executive officers under the Code Section 162(m)
Annual Incentive Plan described above for purposes of the exemption from the limitations of Code Section 162(m). The affirmative vote of the majority
of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting is required for such approval.
The following table sets forth, as of November 15, 2005, the
dollar value of the amounts that were received by each of the following persons under the Companys Annual Incentive Plan relating to the full
fiscal year 2005.
Name and Position
|
|
|
|
Dollar Values(1)
|
Hugh Grant,
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
2,205,000 |
|
Charles W.
Burson, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
|
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
Carl M. Casale,
Executive Vice President, North America Commercial |
|
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer |
|
|
|
|
740,000 |
|
(1) |
|
Under the terms of the Companys Annual Incentive Plan, all
awards were paid in cash. These amounts do not include a special cash bonus of $75,000 paid to each of Mr. Burson and Mr. Crews that was in addition to
the annual incentive payment under the Companys 2005 Annual Incentive Plan. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE APPROVAL
OF THE PERFORMANCE GOAL UNDER §162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
Shareowner
Proposals
Certain shareowners have submitted the two proposals set forth
below. The following proposals have been carefully considered by the board of directors, which has concluded that their adoption would not be in the
best interests of the Company or its shareowners. For the reasons stated after each proposal, the board recommends a vote AGAINST
each of the shareowner proposals.
The proposals and supporting statements are presented as received
from the shareowners in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the board of directors and the Company disclaim any
responsibility for their content. All references to we in the proposals and supporting statements are references to the proponents and not
the Companys other shareowners, the Company or the Companys board of directors. We will furnish, orally or in writing as requested, the
names, addresses and claimed share ownership positions of the proponents of these shareowner proposals promptly upon written or oral request directed
to the Companys Secretary.
Information regarding the inclusion of proposals in
Monsantos proxy statement can be found on page 35 under General Information Shareowner Proposals.
13
Shareowner Proposal One (Proxy Item No.
4)
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
CORPORATE POLITICAL
SPENDING:
POLITICAL SOFT MONEY AND TRADE ASSOCIATION DUES
Monsanto
RESOLVED, that the shareholders
of Monsanto hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Companys:
1. |
|
Policies and procedures for political contributions and
expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds. |
2. |
|
Monetary and non-monetary political contributions and
expenditures not deductible under section 162 (e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, including but not limited to contributions to or expenditures on
behalf of political candidates, political parties, political committees and other political entities organized and operating under 26 USC Sec. 527 of
the Internal Revenue Code, and any portion of any dues or similar payments made to any tax exempt organization that is used for an expenditure or
contribution, that if made directly by the corporation would not be deductible under section 162 (e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, including the
following: |
a. |
|
An accounting of the Companys funds that are used for
political contributions or expenditures as described above; |
b. |
|
The business rationale for each of the Companys political
contributions and expenditures; and |
c. |
|
Identification of the person or persons in the Company who
participated in making the decisions to make the political contribution or expenditure. |
This report shall be presented to the
board of directors audit committee or other relevant oversight committee, and posted on the companys website to reduce costs to
shareholders.
Stockholder Supporting Statements
As long-term shareholders of Monsanto,
we support policies that apply transparency and accountability to corporate spending on political activities. In our view, such disclosure is
consistent with public policy and in the best interest of the Companys shareholders.
Company executives exercise wide
discretion over the use of corporate resources for political activities. They make decisions without a stated business rationale for such expenditures.
These decisions involve political contributions with corporate funds, called soft money. They also involve payments to trade associations
and other tax-exempt groups used for political activities that media accounts call the new soft money. Most of these expenditures are not
disclosed. In addition, its payments to trade associations used for political activities are undisclosed and unknown. The proposal asks the Company to
disclose its political contributions and payments to tax exempt organizations including trade associations.
The Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act of
2002 allows companies to contribute to independent political committees, also known as 527s, and to give to tax-exempt organizations that make
political expenditures and contributions.
Absent a system of accountability,
corporate executives will be free to use company assets for political objectives that are not shared by and may be counter to the interests of the
Company and its shareholders. Relying on publicly available data does not provide a complete picture of the Companys political expenditures. The
Companys Board and its shareholders need complete disclosure to be able to fully evaluate the political use of corporate assets. Thus, we urge
your support for this critical governance reform.
14
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
AGAINST THE FOREGOING
PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
Monsanto is committed to participating constructively in the
political process, as such participation is essential to the Companys long-term success. The agriculture biotechnology
and chemical industries are highly regulated. Federal trade, environmental, tax and patent regulations directly affect Monsanto. In addition, we have a
lengthy product pipeline in which it may take 10 years and substantial resources to develop a product for market. Because of the high cost of product
development and the length of the product development period, it is crucial that we work to ensure a stable regulatory environment for our products. As
a company committed to bringing new, valuable technologies to farmers within this highly regulated business environment, it is essential for Monsanto
to be involved in the political process.
Monsanto and its political action committee (PAC)
comply with all applicable laws and reporting requirements concerning political contributions. Federal law prohibits
corporations from making direct or indirect contributions to candidates or political parties at the federal level. The Companys political
contributions at the state level are limited to those states where such contributions are permitted. In such states, political contributions are
required to be publicly disclosed by either the donor or the recipient, which are available on state government websites. Monsantos PAC is
legally authorized to participate in the political process at the federal and state level. Except for a small amount of money used for administrative
expenses, Monsantos PAC is completely funded by voluntary contributions made by eligible Monsanto employees. The PACs federal contributions
are fully disclosed in public reports filed with the Federal Election Commission which are available at www.FEC.gov.
Effective governance processes are in place to oversee and
audit political contributions made by Monsanto and its PAC. Decisions regarding political contributions by the Company and
the PAC are based on advancing the best interests of Monsanto and its shareowners. The Companys political contributions are subject to oversight
by a contributions committee that is chaired by the Companys Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel. The committee meets
regularly and monitors the Companys adherence to a set of bylaws that have been reviewed and approved by the public policy and corporate
responsibility committee of the Companys board of directors. The board committee receives reports regarding political contributions made by the
Company. The PACs board of directors makes decisions regarding the allocation of PAC funds. The Companys and the PACs political
contributions are audited by the Companys internal audit department.
We believe that the interests of the Company and its
shareowners are well-served by the Companys and the PACs participation in the political process, which is conducted pursuant to effective
governance oversight, and that there is meaningful disclosure of political contributions in compliance with federal and state reporting
requirements. Adopting the policy and reporting requirements set forth in the shareowner proposal would not be useful to
shareowners and would be burdensome and an unnecessary expense to the Company.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE
AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL, AND YOUR PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED IF
THE PROPOSAL IS PRESENTED UNLESS YOU SPECIFY
OTHERWISE.
Shareowner Proposal Two (Proxy Item No.
5)
SEPARATE CEO & CHAIR
Monsanto
RESOLVED: The shareholders of
Monsanto request that the Board of Directors establish a policy of, whenever possible, separating the roles of Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
so that an independent director who has not served as an executive officer of the Company serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.
This proposal shall not apply to the extent that complying would
necessarily breach any contractual obligations in effect at the time of the 2006 shareholder meeting.
15
Supporting Statement
The principle of the separation of the roles of Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer is a basic element of sound corporate governance
practice. The primary purpose of the Board of Directors is to protect shareholders
interests by providing independent oversight of management and the CEO. The Board gives strategic direction and guidance to our
Company.
Given these different roles and responsibilities, we
believe:
|
|
an independent Board Chair separated from the CEO
is the preferable form of corporate governance. |
|
|
it is the role of the Chief Executive Officer and management to
run the business of the company. |
|
|
an independent Chair and vigorous Board will bring greater focus
to ethical imperatives, and be better able to forge solutions for shareholders and consumers. |
|
|
separating the roles of Chair and CEO at Monsanto would result
in greater independence and accountability which would allow the company to have greater focus and thereby better address issues of environmental and
health impacts of the companys products. |
The Board will likely accomplish both roles more effectively by
separating the roles of Chair and CEO. An independent Chair will enhance investor confidence in our Company and strengthen the integrity of the Board
of Directors.
A number of respected institutions recommend such separation.
CalPERs Corporate Core Principles and Guidelines state: the independence of a majority of the Board is not enough and that the
leadership of the board must embrace independence, and it must ultimately change the way in which directors interact with
management.
An independent board structure will also help the board address
policy issues and other complex issues facing our company, among them:
|
|
reputational risk associated with Monsantos
products. |
|
|
the concern of the investment community with possible
off-balance sheet liabilities, such as those associated with products that may be harmful to human health and the environment and which
could impact long-term shareholder value. |
|
|
disputes, within the United States and internationally,
regarding the companys patent rights claims. |
In order to ensure that our Board can provide the proper
strategic direction for our Company with independence and accountability, we urge a vote FOR this resolution.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
AGAINST THE FOREGOING
PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
|
|
The board believes strongly that it should have the discretion
of deciding if and when the Company is best served by a chairman who acts in a dual role as chief executive officer. Our current chairman and chief
executive officer, Hugh Grant, has served with distinction, as proven by the Companys performance under his leadership. |
|
|
Robert J. Stevens, chairman of the boards nominating and
corporate governance committee, also serves as the boards Presiding Director. In that role, Mr. Stevens (1) consults regularly with our chief
executive officer on matters related to the board of directors, including the board agendas, (2) is available to be consulted by any of Monsantos
senior executives as to any concerns they may have and (3) presides at executive sessions of the board and is the liaison for communications to Mr.
Grant regarding such sessions. |
|
|
This is not an area where one size fits all.
According to a May 2005 report from Investor Responsibility Research Center, only 11% of S&P 1,500 companies have an independent chairman. The 2004
Blue Ribbon Commission of the National Association of Corporate Directors found that separation of the roles of chairman and chief executive officer
was not necessary for effective board leadership, and that it is most important that an independent director serve as a focal point for the work of the
independent directors. The Board believes that Mr. Stevens, in his role as Presiding Director, serves as such a focal point. |
16
Monsantos board is structured to promote
independence. The Companys board of directors is composed of more than a three-fourths majority of independent
directors, which is well above the majority of independent directors mandated by the New York Stock Exchange. The Companys audit and finance
committee, people and compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee are composed solely of independent directors. Committee
chairs approve agendas and materials for their committee meetings. Non-management directors meet in executive sessions that are not attended by
management in conjunction with each regular board meeting. Each director is an equal participant in decisions made by the full board, and the Presiding
Director and the other independent directors communicate regularly with the chief executive officer regarding appropriate board agenda topics and other
board related matters.
Monsanto has established strong and effective corporate
governance and board communication practices. The Company has established corporate governance guidelines that are posted on
our corporate website at www.monsanto.com. These policies and procedures set out in detail the boards and its committees practices so that
shareowners have a transparent view as to how Monsantos board works. As described on pages 67, the Company has also established procedures
that allow shareowners and third-parties to easily communicate directly with our directors by mail and e-mail.
There is no benefit in limiting the boards authority to
choose the person it believes would best serve as chairman of the board. Monsantos board already has the authority to
appoint an independent director as chairman. The proposal would therefore eliminate the flexibility of the board to consider whether a member of
management is best positioned to serve in that role at any given time. Rigid application of the proposal would deprive the board of the ability to
evaluate the particular needs of the Company, the specific qualifications of the individual in question and the particular facts and circumstances of
the Company, as it considers candidates for chairman. We believe that shareowners are best served by a board that can adapt its structure to the needs
of the Company and the capabilities of its directors and senior executives. We also believe that the directors who serve on a board are best positioned
to identify the director who has the skill and commitment to perform the chairman role effectively and who has the confidence and cooperation of the
other directors.
Monsantos board is focused on the Companys
corporate governance practices and will continue to reevaluate its policies on an ongoing basis. In view of the
companys highly independent board, our strong corporate governance practices and the fact that we have a presiding director, Monsantos
board believes that the shareowner proposal is unnecessary and would not strengthen the boards independence or oversight functions. We believe it
would be detrimental to shareowner interests to remove the boards business judgment to decide who is the best person to serve as chairman under
particular circumstances that exist from time to time, whether such person is independent or a member of management. The board will continue to
reexamine its policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that its corporate governance sufficiently address Monsantos needs.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE
AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL, AND YOUR PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED IF
THE PROPOSAL IS PRESENTED UNLESS YOU SPECIFY
OTHERWISE.
17
Stock Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial
Owners
Information is set forth below regarding beneficial ownership of
our common stock, to the extent known to the Company, by (i) each person who is a director or nominee; (ii) each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 19; (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of 5%
or more of our common stock. Except as otherwise noted, each person has sole voting and investment power as to his or her shares. All information is as
of August 31, 2005, except as otherwise noted. The business address for each of the Monsanto directors and officers listed below is c/o Monsanto
Company, 800 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63167.
Name
|
|
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Owned Directly
or Indirectly(1)(2)
|
|
Shares Underlying Options Exercisable Within 60
Days(3)
|
|
Total(4)
|
Hugh
Grant |
|
|
|
|
146,233 |
|
|
|
334,261 |
|
|
|
480,494 |
|
Frank V. AtLee
III |
|
|
|
|
52,741 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
52,741 |
|
John W.
Bachmann |
|
|
|
|
12,214 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
12,214 |
|
Gwendolyn S.
King |
|
|
|
|
12,875 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
22,875 |
|
Sharon R. Long,
Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
9,494 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
19,494 |
|
C. Steven
McMillan |
|
|
|
|
24,412 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
24,412 |
|
William U.
Parfet |
|
|
|
|
129,286 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
139,286 |
|
George H. Poste,
D.V.M, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
7,266 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7,266 |
|
Robert J.
Stevens |
|
|
|
|
15,337 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
25,337 |
|
Charles W.
Burson |
|
|
|
|
40,923 |
|
|
|
70,891 |
|
|
|
111,814 |
|
Carl M.
Casale |
|
|
|
|
30,034 |
|
|
|
99,928 |
|
|
|
129,962 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews |
|
|
|
|
35,772 |
|
|
|
181,801 |
|
|
|
217,573 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
70,599 |
|
|
|
63,301 |
|
|
|
133,900 |
|
All directors
and executive officers as a group (22 persons) |
|
|
|
|
811,879 |
|
|
|
990,512 |
|
|
|
1,802,391 |
|
FMR
Corp.(5) |
|
|
|
|
28,280,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,280,122 |
|
Barclays Global
Investors, NA(6) |
|
|
|
|
13,734,771 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,734,771 |
|
(1) |
|
Includes the following shares of deferred common stock
deliverable to each non-employee director as compensation under the Directors Plan as described beginning on page 10: Mr. AtLee, 25,526; Mr.
Bachmann, 5,214; Ms. King, 11,199; Dr. Long, 9,494; Mr. McMillan, 14,866; Mr. Parfet, 14,078; Dr. Poste, 7,266; Mr. Stevens, 10,337; and directors as a
group, 97,980. Shares of deferred stock are credited in the form of hypothetical shares to a stock unit account on the first day of the plan year and
vest in installments as of the last day of each calendar month during the plan year. Hypothetical shares are credited with dividend equivalents, also
in the form of hypothetical shares. No director has voting or investment power of such shares until distributed in accordance with the terms of the
Directors Plan, generally upon termination of service. |
(2) |
|
Includes the indicated number of shares of Monsanto Company
common stock beneficially owned by the following individuals under the Monsanto Company Savings and Investment Plan: Mr. Grant, 2,165; Mr. Burson,
1,572; Mr. Casale, 34; Mr. Crews, 2,772; Dr. Fraley, 4,060; and executive officers as a group, 41,659. Excludes the indicated number of hypothetical
shares of Monsanto Company common stock credited to a bookkeeping account as deferred compensation in the name of the following individuals under the
Monsanto Company ERISA Parity Savings and Investment Plan: Mr. Grant, 11,477; Mr. Burson, 3,301; Mr. Casale, 64; Mr. Crews, 3,712; Dr. Fraley, 5,537;
and executive officers as a group, 40,127. Excludes the number of hypothetical shares of Monsanto Company common stock credited to a bookkeeping
account as deferred compensation in the name of the following individuals under the Monsanto Company Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Crews, 903; and
executive officers as a group, 10,054. |
(3) |
|
The SEC deems a person to have beneficial ownership of all shares
that he or she has the right to acquire within 60 days. For purposes of this table, the Company has used January 30, 2006 as the cut-off date, which is
60 days after December 1, 2005. The shares indicated represent shares underlying stock options granted under the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The shares underlying options cannot be voted. |
(4) |
|
The percentage of shares of outstanding common stock of the
Company, including options exercisable within 60 days after December 1, 2005, beneficially owned by any director or executive officer does not exceed
1%. The percentage of shares of outstanding common stock of the Company, including options exercisable within 60 days after December 1, 2005,
beneficially owned by all directors and executive officers as a group is 0.7%. |
18
(5) |
|
Information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
January 10, 2005, filed by FMR Corp. and its affiliates in their capacity as investment advisors. FMR Corp.s shares represent 10.5% of our
outstanding common stock. FMR Corp.s business address is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109. An affiliate of FMR Corp., Fidelity Investments
Institutional Services Company, Inc. (Fidelity), acts as the administrator for various plans of the Company and its subsidiaries, including
certain pension plans, 401(k) plans and health and welfare benefit plans. In exchange for such administrative services, Fidelity received fees totaling
approximately $5.5 million in fiscal year 2005. In addition, Fidelity Management Trust Company, an affiliate of FMR Corp., is the investment manager
for certain mutual funds in the 401(k) plans of certain of the Companys subsidiaries. Fidelity Management Trust Company is compensated for its
investment management services by the mutual funds through customary investment management fees. The administrative and investment management fee rates
for fiscal year 2006 are expected to be the same or similar to the rates in fiscal year 2005. |
(6) |
|
Information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
February 14, 2005, in Barclays Global Investors, N.A.s and its affiliates capacity as investment advisors. Barclays Global Investors,
N.A.s shares represent 5.1% of our outstanding common stock. Barclays Global Investors, N.A.s business address is 45 Fremont Street, San
Francisco, CA 94105. In fiscal year 2005, the Company paid Barclays Capital Inc., an affiliate of Barclays Investors, N.A., $410,409 in exchange for
its services as one of several dealer managers in a debt exchange transaction. In addition, Barclays Bank PLC, an affiliate of Barclays Global
Investors, N.A., was the counterparty to a $25 million notional amount interest rate hedging contract and to approximately $2.4 billion notional amount
of foreign-currency rate hedging contracts. The Company expects to enter into additional foreign-currency rate hedging contracts with Barclays Bank PLC
in fiscal year 2006. |
Executive Compensation
Summary
Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information with respect to the
compensation received for services rendered to the Company for the periods indicated by our chairman, president and chief executive officer, and for
each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company for the 2005 fiscal year from September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005 (we
refer to these five individuals as the Named Executive Officers).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
|
Awards
|
|
Payouts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year(1)
|
|
Salary($)
|
|
Bonus ($)(2)
|
|
Other Annual Compensation ($)(3)
|
|
Restricted Stock Awards ($)
|
|
Securities Underlying Options (#)
|
|
LTIP Payouts ($)(4)
|
|
All Other Compensation ($)(5)
|
Hugh
Grant |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
1,037,115 |
|
|
|
2,205,000 |
|
|
|
105,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
225,310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
222,180 |
|
Chairman of the
Board, |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
937,500 |
|
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
88,268 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129,999 |
|
President and
Chief |
|
|
|
1/038/03 |
|
|
449,296 |
|
|
|
1,488,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,519 |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
590,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,739,872 |
|
|
|
56,651 |
|
Charles W.
Burson |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
455,396 |
|
|
|
625,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,772 |
|
Executive V.P.,
Secretary |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
444,846 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,394 |
|
and General
Counsel |
|
|
|
1/038/03 |
|
|
284,154 |
|
|
|
412,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,974 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
430,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
320,400 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,936 |
|
Carl M.
Casale |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
468,423 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,239 |
|
Executive Vice
President, |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
433,077 |
|
|
|
325,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,825 |
|
North
America |
|
|
|
1/038/03 |
|
|
246,465 |
|
|
|
412,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,735 |
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
356,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,112 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
488,500 |
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,454 |
|
Executive Vice
President |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
456,923 |
|
|
|
340,000 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,520 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,186 |
|
and Chief
Financial |
|
|
|
1/038/03 |
|
|
270,769 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,160 |
(7) |
|
|
99,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,258 |
|
Officer |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
383,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,481 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
511,904 |
|
|
|
740,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,304 |
|
Executive V.P.
and Chief |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
492,308 |
|
|
|
415,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,225 |
|
Technology
Officer |
|
|
|
1/038/03 |
|
|
316,153 |
|
|
|
531,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,891 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
475,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,813,130 |
|
|
|
53,919 |
|
19
(1) |
|
Compensation for 2002 is for that calendar year. In July 2003, we
changed from a calendar year-end to a fiscal year ending August 31. Consequently, compensation information for the transition period is for the eight
months beginning January 1, 2003 and ending August 31, 2003. Compensation information for 2004 and 2005 is for September 1, 2003 through August 31,
2004 and September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005, respectively. |
(2) |
|
In July 2003, the board amended the Companys by-laws to
change from a calendar year end to a fiscal year ending August 31. As a result, the Company had an eight-month transition period from January 1, 2003
to August 31, 2003. The people and compensation committee determined that the Company would not truncate the calendar year 2003 Annual Incentive Plan
performance year since goals and measurements for the 2003 calendar year performance period had already been established and performance was underway
when the decision was made to change the Companys year end. Instead, the committee approved an eight-month annual incentive plan transition
performance period from January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004 so that commencing September 1, 2004 the annual incentive plan performance period and
the Companys fiscal year would coincide.
|
Amounts reported above for 2005
represent bonuses earned for the performance period that coincides with the 2005 fiscal year, which were paid in November 2005. In addition, for Mr.
Burson and Mr. Crews the amounts reported include a special cash bonus of $75,000 each that were in addition to the annual incentive payment under the
Companys 2005 Annual Incentive Plan. The amounts reported above for 2004 represent bonuses earned for performance during the eight-month
incentive plan transition performance period from January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004, which were paid in November 2004. Bonus amounts reported
above for the 2003 transition period represent bonuses earned for performance during the 2003 calendar year annual incentive plan performance period,
which were paid in March 2004. No bonuses were earned or paid under the 2002 calendar year annual incentive plan performance period.
(3) |
|
Applicable regulations set reporting thresholds for certain
non-cash compensation if the aggregate amount is in excess of the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported for the Named
Executive Officers. For Mr. Grant, the 2005 amount shown represents perquisites in the amount of $105,550, which includes the incremental cost to the
Company of $80,801 for personal use of corporate aircraft. For security reasons, the board requires Mr. Grant to use Company aircraft for both business
and personal flights. Mr. Grant is taxed on the imputed income attributable to personal use of Company aircraft and does not receive tax assistance
from the Company with respect to such amounts. The incremental cost of Company aircraft used for a nonbusiness flight is calculated by multiplying the
aircrafts hourly variable operating cost by a trips flight time, which includes any flight time of an empty return flight. Fixed costs that
do not vary based upon usage are not included in the calculation of direct operating cost. For Mr. Grant, the 2004 amount shown represents perquisites
in the amount of $88,268, which includes an initiation fee of $50,000 to the Bogey Club in St. Louis, Missouri and reimbursement to Mr. Grant of income
taxes in the amount of $26,358 with respect to that amount. Mr. Grant has used the club for business-related purposes. |
(4) |
|
LTIP payouts for 2002, includes the vesting and payment of the
full value of phantom share accounts on October 1, 2002 pursuant to Phantom Share Agreements entered into at the time of our initial public offering
between the Company and each of Mr. Grant, Dr. Fraley and others. All conditions necessary for payment of the value of the phantom shares occurred
before the vesting date, including (i) achievement of the performance goal that the Company achieve positive net income for 2001; and (ii) shareowner
approval (which was obtained at our annual meeting held in 2001). The agreements replaced former change-of-control employment agreements (which were
triggered upon Former Monsantos merger with Pharmacia & Upjohn) under which the executives would have been entitled to substantial severance
benefits under certain circumstances. The phantom share agreements were designed to provide incentive pay tied to the performance of our common stock,
generally conditioned upon the executives remaining employed by us or our affiliates through the date of vesting. |
(5) |
|
Amounts in this column reflect employer contributions in fiscal
year 2005 to the Monsanto Company Savings and Investment Plan, a tax-qualified plan under the Code, and employer allocations in fiscal year 2005 to the
Monsanto Company ERISA Parity Savings and Investment Plan, a non-qualified plan under the Code. In response to the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, the Company ceased contributions to the split dollar life insurance arrangement for Dr. Fraley in 2002. |
(6) |
|
Mr. Burson was granted 20,000 restricted shares under the 2000
Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan on September 18, 2002. The closing per share price of the Companys common stock on that date was $16.02. These
shares vested on September 18, 2005. Dividends were paid to Mr. Burson on these restricted shares during the vesting period. Mr. Bursons 20,000
restricted shares had a value of $1,276,800 using the closing price per share on August 31, 2005 of $63.84. |
(7) |
|
Mr. Crews was granted 6,000 restricted shares under the 2000
Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan on June 17, 2003. The closing per share price of the Companys common stock on that date was $22.36. These shares
vest on June 17, 2006. Dividends have been and will be paid to Mr. Crews on these restricted shares. Mr. Crews 6,000 restricted shares had a
value of $383,040 using the closing price per share on August 31, 2005 of $63.84. |
20
(8) |
|
Pursuant to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Monsanto
Company Deferred Payment Plan, Mr. Crews elected to defer $60,000 of the bonus amount earned during the January 1- August 31, 2004 performance period
until the first January or July occurring at least six months after his retirement or sooner termination of employment. The remaining portion of the
bonus amount was paid to Mr. Crews in November 2004. Under the terms of the plan, Mr. Crews also elected that: (i) 40% of the deferred amount be
credited to a cash account that accumulates interest equivalents, credited monthly, at an annually adjusted rate equal to the average yield of the
Moodys Baa Bond Index for the prior calendar year, and (ii) 60% of the deferred amount be converted to hypothetical shares of Monsanto common
stock and credited to a stock unit account, the number of hypothetical shares being equal to the designated deferred amount, divided by the average of
the fair market value of one share of Monsanto common stock on each of the ten consecutive days ending on the trading day immediately preceding the
date the deferred award was credited to the stock unit account. Accordingly, 846 hypothetical shares of Monsanto common stock were credited to Mr.
Crews stock unit account as of November 12, 2004, based upon the average fair market value (determined in accordance with the procedure described
above) of $42.537. Under the terms of the plan, the hypothetical shares of stock credited to Mr. Crews stock unit account will be credited with
the cash value of dividend equivalents. |
Option Grants in the 2005 Fiscal
Year
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
awards of Monsanto stock options to the Named Executive Officers during the 2005 fiscal year. All of these awards were granted during the period from
September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005. No stock appreciation rights were granted to such persons during the 2005 fiscal year.
Individual Grants(1)
|
|
Grant Date Value
|
|
Name/Date of Grant
|
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Options Granted (#)(3)
|
|
% of Total Options Granted to Employees
in Fiscal Year
|
|
Exercise or Base Price ($/Share)(4)
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Grant Date Present Value $(2)
|
Hugh
Grant October 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
225,310 |
|
5.84% |
|
$41.61 |
|
October
28, 2014 |
|
$ |
3,750,000 |
|
Charles W.
Burson October 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
37,180 |
|
0.96% |
|
$41.61 |
|
October
28, 2014 |
|
$ |
618,750 |
|
Carl M.
Casale October 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
67,600 |
|
1.75% |
|
$41.61 |
|
October
28, 2014 |
|
$ |
1,125,000 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews October 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
76,610 |
|
1.98% |
|
$41.61 |
|
October
28, 2014 |
|
$ |
1,275,000 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. October 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
112,660 |
|
2.92% |
|
$41.61 |
|
October
28, 2014 |
|
$ |
1,875,000 |
|
(1) |
|
The options were granted under the 2000 Amended Long-Term
Incentive Plan. Options were granted at 100% of the fair market value of Monsanto common stock on the date of grant. The term of these options may not
exceed 10 years, and may be shorter as a result of a participants death or termination of service. One-third of the options became exercisable on
November 15, 2005 and one-third of the options become exercisable on each of November 15, 2006 and November 15, 2007. The options will vest in full if
we undergo a change of control (as defined in the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan). Such accelerated vesting could result in a participant being
considered to receive excess parachute payments (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), which payments are subject to a 20% excise tax
imposed on the participant. If so, the participant would generally be entitled to be made whole for such excise tax under our excess parachute tax
indemnity plan, and we would not be able to deduct the excess parachute payments or any such indemnity payments. |
(2) |
|
Amounts shown are grant date values which were converted to stock
options based on an estimated Black-Scholes value equal to 40% of the fair market value of a share of Company stock on the grant date. Assumptions used
were volatility of 31.45%, risk-free rate of return of 4.18%, expected dividend yield of 1.56% and expected life of ten years. |
(3) |
|
The amounts in this column do not reflect option grants to the
following individuals under the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan on October 28, 2005, at an exercise price per share of $58.435: Mr. Grant,
168,460; Mr. Burson, 26,480; Mr. Casale, 48,140; Mr. Crews, 54,550; and Dr. Fraley, 80,220. The options were granted at 100% of the fair market value
of Monsanto common stock on the date of grant upon substantially the same terms and conditions as described in Note 1 above, except that one-third of
the options become exercisable on each of November 15, 2006; November 15, 2007; and November 15, 2008. |
21
(4) |
|
The participants are allowed to pay the exercise price in cash,
by delivering shares of our common stock or by any other method designated by the people and compensation committee at the time of grant. |
Aggregated Option Exercises in
the 2005 Fiscal Year and Option Values on August 31, 2005
The following table presents information for options exercised by
each of the Named Executive Officers during the 2005 fiscal year and the number and value of the remaining options (as if such options were vested and
exercisable) held by those executive officers at the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
Name
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Value Realized ($)
|
|
Number of Unexercised Options at August 31,
2005 (#) Exercisable/Unexercisable(1)(2)
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options
at August 31, 2005 ($) Exercisable/Unexercisable(3)
|
Hugh
Grant |
|
|
|
|
440,000 |
|
|
|
12,535,950 |
|
|
|
259,157/461,623 |
|
|
|
10,626,342/13,854,399 |
|
Charles W.
Burson |
|
|
|
|
116,100 |
|
|
|
3,030,876 |
|
|
|
58,497/79,173 |
|
|
|
2,598,498/2,480,958 |
|
Carl M.
Casale |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
77,394/129,466 |
|
|
|
3,275,490/3,786,212 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews |
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
6,140,282 |
|
|
|
156,264/144,886 |
|
|
|
6,686,191/4,227,743 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
2,201,088 |
|
|
|
25,747/212,153 |
|
|
|
786,313/6,219,384 |
|
(1) |
|
The options were granted under the 2000 Amended Long-Term
Incentive Plan. Options were granted at 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant and vest in varying increments at specified periods. The
term of these options may not exceed 10 years and may be shorter as a result of a participants death or termination of service. The options will
vest in full if we undergo a change of control (as defined in the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan). Such accelerated vesting could result in a
participant being considered to receive excess parachute payments (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), which payments are subject to a
20% excise tax imposed on the participant. If so, the participant would generally be entitled to be made whole for such excise tax under our excess
parachute tax indemnity plan, and we would not be able to deduct the excess parachute payments or any such indemnity payments. |
(2) |
|
The participant is allowed to pay the exercise price in cash, by
delivering shares of our common stock or by any other method designated by the people and compensation committee at the time of grant. |
(3) |
|
Calculated by: (A) determining the difference between (1)
$62.925, which was the average of the high and low trading prices per share of the Companys common stock on August 31, 2005, and (2) the exercise
price of the option; and (B) multiplying such difference by the total number of shares under option. |
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
in 2005 Fiscal Year
The following table presents the performance-based restricted
stock units granted during our 2005 fiscal year to each of the Named Executive Officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Stock Price-Based
Plan
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Number of Units
|
|
Performance or Other Period Until Maturation
or Payout
|
|
Threshold (#)
|
|
Target (#)(1)(2)(3)
|
|
Maximum (#)
|
Hugh
Grant |
|
|
|
|
25,040 |
|
|
|
8/31/07 |
|
|
|
12,520 |
|
|
|
25,040 |
|
|
|
50,080 |
|
Charles W.
Burson |
|
|
|
|
4,140 |
|
|
|
8/31/07 |
|
|
|
2,070 |
|
|
|
4,140 |
|
|
|
8,280 |
|
Carl M.
Casale |
|
|
|
|
7,520 |
|
|
|
8/31/07 |
|
|
|
3,760 |
|
|
|
7,520 |
|
|
|
15,040 |
|
Terrell K.
Crews |
|
|
|
|
8,520 |
|
|
|
8/31/07 |
|
|
|
4,260 |
|
|
|
8,520 |
|
|
|
17,040 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
12,520 |
|
|
|
8/31/07 |
|
|
|
6,260 |
|
|
|
12,520 |
|
|
|
25,040 |
|
(1) |
|
The target number of performance-based restricted stock units
shown above were granted on October 29, 2004 at a grant price of $41.61, with vesting subject to (i) the Companys attainment of specified
performance criteria relating to cumulative earnings per share, return on capital and cash flow goals during the designated performance period
(September 1, 2004August 31, 2006), and (ii) the executives continued employment during the designated service period (September 1,
2004August 31, 2007). The executive will be eligible to vest in between zero and twice the number of units shown, depending on the Companys
performance against goals. If he vests in some or all of the units and then meets an additional one-year service requirement, he will receive a
corresponding number of shares of stock upon settlement of his units. Grantees receive dividend equivalent payments on their units. Units are generally
settled by delivery of shares at the time they vest, except to the extent the grantee elects to defer delivery. Mr. Crews has elected to defer delivery
of his units until retirement or sooner termination of employment. See Committee Reports Report of |
22
|
|
the People and Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation,
Components of Executive Compensation Long-Term Incentive Program at page 28. |
(2) |
|
The amounts in the column do not reflect grants of a target
number of performance-based restricted stock units under the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan on October 28, 2005 at a grant price of $58.435, to
the following individuals: Mr. Grant, 18,720; Mr. Burson, 2,950; Mr. Casale, 5,350; Mr. Crews, 6,070; and Dr. Fraley, 8,920. The grants were upon
substantially the same terms and conditions described in Note 1 above, except that the designated performance period is September 1, 2005August
31, 2007 and the designated service period is September 1, 2005August 31, 2008. |
(3) |
|
On October 24, 2005, after evaluating the Companys
performance with respect to the financial goals of the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted to the executive officers in February
2004, the people and compensation committee determined that based on the Companys outstanding performance during the performance period, 200% of
each executives target-level award would be made available for vesting, subject to the additional service requirements. Accordingly, the number
of restricted stock units from the February 2004 grant that are available for each of the named executive officers, subject to the additional service
requirements, are as follows: Mr. Grant, 34,320; Mr. Burson, 5,660; Mr. Casale, 10,300; Mr. Crews, 11,680; and Dr. Fraley, 17,160. |
Pension
Plans
The Named Executive Officers (as well as our other employees) are
eligible for retirement benefits payable under our tax-qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The Former Monsanto tax-qualified
defined benefit pension plan in the United States had been sponsored by Pharmacia (see Information Regarding Our Formation on page 1)
through December 31, 2001, and we were a participating employer in the plan through that date. Effective as of January 1, 2002, pursuant to the
Employee Benefits and Compensation Allocation Agreement between us and Pharmacia, as amended, the Former Monsanto U.S. tax-qualified defined benefit
pension plan was split into two tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans: one covering our employees and certain former employees allocated to us,
and one covering those Pharmacia employees and former employees who had been covered under the Former Monsanto plan prior to January 1, 2002. Also
effective January 1, 2002, sponsorship of the Former Monsanto plan (the portion of the divided plan that covered our employees and certain former
employees allocated to us) was transferred to and assumed by us, and the trust under the Former Monsanto plan was converted into a master trust that
held the assets of both our plan and Pharmacias plan. Also effective as of January 1, 2002, we established our own non-qualified defined benefit
pension plans in the U.S. and all liabilities under the non-qualified defined benefit pension plans sponsored by Pharmacia relating to the Named
Executive Officers (as well as our other employees) through that date were transferred to our plans. As of August 1, 2002, the master trust was
separated into two trusts: one under the Monsanto tax-qualified defined benefit plan and one under the Pharmacia tax-qualified defined benefit plan.
The disclosure that follows reflects the status of the Monsanto defined benefit pension plans as of the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
Effective January 1, 1997, the Former Monsanto U.S. defined
benefit pension plan was amended. The Former Monsanto non-qualified pension plans providing benefits to executives that could not be provided under the
Former Monsanto qualified plan because of limitations under federal tax law was similarly amended. The amended Former Monsanto defined benefit pension
plans each consisted of two accounts: a prior plan account and a cash balance account.
The opening balance of the prior plan account was the lump sum
value of the executives December 31, 1996 monthly retirement benefit earned at Former Monsanto prior to January 1, 1997 under the old defined
benefit pension plan described below, calculated using the assumption that the monthly benefit would be payable at age 55 with no reduction for early
payment. The formula used to calculate the opening balance for employment with Former Monsanto was the greater of 1.4% (1.2% for employees hired by
Former Monsanto on or after April 1, 1986) of average final compensation multiplied by years of service, without reduction for Social Security or other
offset amounts, or 1.5% of average final compensation multiplied by years of service, less a 50% Social Security offset. Average final compensation for
purposes of determining the opening balance was the greater of (1) average compensation received during the 36 months of employment prior to 1997 or
(2) average compensation received during the highest three of the five calendar years of employment prior to 1997.
23
For each year of the executives continued employment with
Former Monsanto, Pharmacia or us after 1996, the executives prior plan account is increased by 4% to recognize that prior plan benefits would
have grown as a result of pay increases.
For each year that the executive is employed by Former Monsanto,
Pharmacia or us after 1996, 3% of annual compensation in excess of the Social Security wage base and a percentage (based on age) of annual compensation
(salary and annual bonus) is credited to the cash balance account. The applicable percentages and age ranges are: 3% before age 30, 4% for ages 30 to
39, 5% for ages 40 to 44, 6% for ages 45 to 49, and 7% for age 50 and over. In addition, the cash balance account of executives who earned benefits
under Former Monsantos old defined benefit pension plan will be credited each year, during which the executive is employed after 1996 (for up to
10 years based on prior years of service with Former Monsanto or Pharmacia), with an amount equal to a percentage (based on age) of annual
compensation. The applicable percentages and age ranges are: 2% before age 30, 3% for ages 30 to 39, 4% for ages 40 to 44, 5% for ages 45 to 49, and 6%
for age 50 and over.
In addition to the retirement benefits for Mr. Grant based on his
years of service as our employee in the United States, Mr. Grant is also eligible for regular retirement benefits based on his years of service as our
employee outside the United States in the United Kingdom. In addition, Mr. Grant participates in our regular, non-qualified pension plan designed to
protect retirement benefits for employees serving in more than one country.
Mr. Burson has an individual supplemental retirement arrangement
with us under which he is entitled to a supplemental retirement benefit, subject to certain vesting and other conditions. The amount of the benefit is
credited to a notational bookkeeping account and is equal to two and one-half times the sum of the contribution credits to his accounts under our
tax-qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans, plus interest credits on the balance of the account credited in the same manner as are interest
credits under our tax-qualified defined benefit plan.
The estimated annual benefits payable under our United States
tax-qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans to the Named Executive Officers as a single life annuity beginning at age 65 (assuming that each
Named Executive Officer remains employed by us until age 65 and receives 4% annual compensation increases) are as follows: Mr. Grant, $971,269; Mr.
Burson, $255,367; Mr. Casale, $637,748; Mr. Crews, $498,130; and Dr. Fraley, $587,932. The estimated annual benefit payable to Mr. Grant as a single
life annuity beginning at age 65 under the non-qualified pension plan for employees serving in more than one country is $892,840. When the United
Kingdom pension benefits of $67,855 are included for Mr. Grant, his total estimated annual benefit payable as a single life annuity beginning at age 65
is $1,931,964.
Equity Compensation Plan
Information
In General. We currently have three
compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance to employees or non-employee directors: (i) the Monsanto Company
Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan), (ii) the Monsanto
Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan), and (iii) the
Monsanto Broad-Based Stock Option Plan (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Broad-Based Plan). Each of the plans has been
approved by our shareowners. Equity-based compensation awards under the Directors Plan have been granted under the 2000 Amended Long-Term
Incentive Plan as and when provided for under the Directors Plan.
24
The following table shows for these plans as a group the number
of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of options outstanding at August 31, 2005, the weighted average exercise price of those options,
and the number of shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance at August 31, 2005, excluding shares to be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options. We did not assume any equity compensation plans in mergers.
Equity Compensation Plan
Table
Plan Category
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Weighted- average Exercise Price at
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining Available
for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise)(2)(3)
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders(1) |
|
|
|
|
14,682,796 |
|
|
$ |
27.7203 |
|
|
|
16,133,465 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
14,682,796 |
|
|
$ |
27.7203 |
|
|
|
16,133,465 |
|
(1) |
|
At August 31, 2005, under the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive
Plan, there was a total of 14,098,158 shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options granted having a weighted average
exercise price of $27.6161 and 4,126,235 shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance (excluding shares to be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options). At August 31, 2005, under the Broad-Based Stock Option Plan, there was a total of 584,638 shares of common stock to be issued
upon exercise of outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $30.3654 and 7,230 shares of common stock remaining available for
future issuance (excluding shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options). At August 31, 2005, under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, there
were no options granted or outstanding, and 12,000,000 shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance. |
(2) |
|
This calculation excludes 193,200 shares of unvested restricted
stock, 108,989 shares of deferred stock and 136,410 shares of unvested restricted stock units that were issued as of August 31, 2005. |
(3) |
|
The Companys Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows certain of
our employees in the United States, Canada and Singapore (excluding executive officers and directors) to borrow up to $10,000 from the Company to
purchase shares of Monsanto stock at the fair market value of the stock on the date of the purchase, and repay the borrowed funds, without interest,
through payroll deductions over 40 months. While there is no fixed limit on the number of shares available under the plan, all shares are purchased on
the open market. The plan prohibits a participant from having loan advances for more than $10,000 in total or for more than three separate purchases of
stock outstanding at one time. Amounts relating to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are not reflected in the above table. As of August 31, 2005,
120,015 shares of our common stock have been purchased by employees under the plan and 500 employees were participating in the plan. This plan has been
approved by our shareowners. In response to the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company precluded its executive officers from
participating in the plan. |
Change of Control Agreements
We have entered into change-of-control employment agreements with
a number of key executives including our Named Executive Officers. Our people and compensation committee reviews eligibility with respect to the
agreements at least annually. Generally, these agreements have terms that currently end on June 30, 2006, and are automatically extended one year at a
time, unless we give the executive a notice that no extension will occur. If a change of control of Monsanto occurs during the term of an agreement,
then the agreement becomes operative for a fixed period. Generally, under these agreements, a change of control is defined to include:
|
|
The acquisition by any person or group of 20% or more of the
combined voting power of the Company (excluding acquisitions from or by the Company, any subsidiary or Company employee benefit plan and certain
business combinations in which generally substantially all of the beneficial owners of the Companys voting power own more than 60% of the
combined voting securities of the resulting corporation, in substantially the same proportion as prior to the combination, no one has 20% of the voting
power as a result of the combination and at least a majority of the board of directors of the resulting company were members of the incumbent
board); |
25
|
|
Individuals constituting our board of directors at the time of
our initial public offering (incumbent directors) generally cease to constitute at least a majority of our board, provided that any
subsequent director whose election or nomination was approved by a majority of the incumbent directors shall be considered to be an incumbent
director; |
|
|
Certain mergers, consolidations, sales of assets or other
business combinations occur except as described in the first bullet above; or |
|
|
Our shareowners approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company. |
The agreements provide generally that the Named Executive
Officers terms and conditions of employment, including position, location, compensation and benefits, will not be adversely changed during the
three-year period after such a change of control. If, during this three-year period, we terminate the executives employment other than for cause,
death or disability, or the executive terminates for good reason, or if we terminate the executives employment without cause in connection with
or in anticipation of a change of control, the executive is generally entitled to receive:
|
|
a specified multiple of the executives annual base salary
plus an annual bonus amount and an amount to reflect our employer matching contributions under various savings plans; |
|
|
accrued but unpaid compensation; |
|
|
continued welfare benefits for a specified number of
years; |
|
|
a lump sum payment having an actuarial present value equal to
the additional retirement plan benefits the executive would have received if he or she had continued to be employed by us for a specified number of
years; |
|
|
if the executive has reached age 50 at the conclusion of a
specified number of years following employment termination, receipt of lifetime retiree medical benefits (to the extent applicable); and |
In addition, the executive is generally entitled to receive a
payment in an amount sufficient to make him or her whole for any federal excise tax on excess parachute payments.
The specified multiple and the specified number of years is three
for Messrs. Grant, Burson, Casale, and Crews, and Dr. Fraley.
Excess Parachute Tax Indemnity
Plan
We have adopted the Excess Parachute Tax Indemnity Plan, which
provides that if any of our non-employee directors or any of our employees who is not a party to a change-of-control employment agreement described
above is subject to the federal tax on excess parachute payments received in connection with a change of control, we generally will pay him or her an
amount to make him or her whole for the tax, and will pay any legal fees he or she may incur to enforce his or her rights under the plan or in
connection with any Internal Revenue Service audit related to the excise tax.
Committee Reports
Report of the
People and Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
The people and compensation committee is responsible for, among
other things, the establishment and review of our compensation policies and programs for the Companys executive officers and ensuring that
executive officers of the Company are compensated in a manner consistent with the compensation policy. It also monitors the Companys executive
succession plan, and reviews and monitors the Companys performance as it affects the Companys employees and the overall compensation
policies for the Companys employees.
Under the terms of its charter, the committee is required to
consist of three or more members of the board of directors who meet the independence requirements of the NYSE, are non-employee directors
pursuant to SEC Rule 16b-3, and are outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Compensation
Policies
The overall objectives of the committee are to develop
compensation policies and practices that:
|
|
align managements interests with the long-term interests
of shareowners; |
26
|
|
encourage employees to behave like owners of the business and
reward them when shareowner value is created; |
|
|
provide reward systems that are simple, credible and common
across the organization; |
|
|
promote creativity, innovation and calculated risk-taking to
achieve outstanding business results; |
|
|
encourage employees to continually improve their capabilities to
deliver business results; |
|
|
reward for results rather than on the basis of seniority,
tenure, or other entitlement; and |
|
|
make the Company a great place to work that values diversity and
inclusiveness in order to attract world-class employees at all levels around the globe. |
Components of Executive
Compensation
In furtherance of these objectives, the compensation programs for
all Company executives include three components: (1) base pay; (2) an annual incentive program; and (3) a long-term incentive program.
The committee retained an outside consultant specializing in
executive compensation to provide expertise on various matters coming before the committee. The levels of current compensation at competitive
companies, derived from compensation surveys provided by an outside consultant, were used for comparison in establishing the Companys current
executive compensation policies, compensation programs and awards. The primary comparator group consisted of companies in general industry and the
specialty chemicals industry with revenues generally approximating that of the Company. The committee also considered data from the biotechnology
industry. The philosophy underlying each element of executive compensation is discussed below.
The annual and long-term compensation components of the program
have been designed to encourage executives to increase shareowner value. Annual incentive compensation for our 2005 fiscal year performance period,
paid in November 2005, was based on results versus goals for sales growth, earnings per share and cash flow, all of which affect shareowner value.
Incentive compensation is closely tied to providing outstanding returns for shareowners.
In preparation for decisions regarding fiscal year 2006
compensation, the committee reviewed Tally Sheets for the Named Executive Officers which detailed (1) each element of current compensation
including benefits and perquisites; (2) the potential value of all equity-based long-term incentive awards held by each named executive, both vested
and unvested, at then-current market prices; and (3) the lump sum value of payments that would occur should the executive terminate under various
scenarios (e.g., voluntary termination of employment, involuntary termination of employment without cause, retirement, termination of employment
following a change of control of the Company). The analysis was performed to ensure that the committee was aware of all compensation elements and how
each could be triggered should various events occur.
Base Pay. Base pay reflects
the external market value of a particular role as well as the experiences and qualifications that an individual brings to the role. Base pay is
generally targeted to the median of the base pay paid by companies in our comparator group for a particular role.
Annual Incentive Plan. The
annual incentive plan for all regular employees, including executives, provides for cash awards that are determined shortly after the end of the
performance period being measured. These annual awards depend upon the Companys achievement of goals set at the beginning of each performance
period; the individuals level of responsibility; where applicable, performance of his or her business or staff group; and the individuals
personal performance.
The Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Incentive Plan for the September 1,
2004August 31, 2005 performance period was designed to focus on the achievement of goals relating to sales growth, earnings per share and cash
flow. Annual incentives were generally targeted at the median of the comparator group for target performance as measured against goals, with upside
opportunity for above-target performance. The plan required that the incentive pool be funded at no less than 20% of the target level of
funding if the Company paid dividends with respect to each quarter during the performance year. However, the Company had to meet the threshold level of
performance with respect to the earnings per share goal in order for any funding of the incentive pool above 20% of the target level of funding to have
occurred. Each employees annual incentive opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Incentive Plan was communicated in terms of
target Company and individual performance as measured against goals set for the year, with award opportunities at outstanding
performance equal to two times those at target performance. Neither the incentive pool nor individual awards were
27
capped. After the end of the 2005 fiscal year performance
period, the committee evaluated the Companys performance against the Plans financial objectives. Given the outstanding performance by the
Company during the performance period with respect to the earnings per share, sales growth and cash flow goals, the committee determined to fund the
Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Incentive Plan at the outstanding level and allocated awards to each of the Named Executive Officers on individual
contributions during the performance period.
The design of the Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Incentive Plan for the
September 1, 2005August 31, 2006 performance period and the incentive opportunities for executive officers, management and non-management
employees are substantially the same as for the Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Incentive Plan.
Long-Term Incentive
Program. For our 2005 fiscal year long-term incentive compensation, the committee authorized a grant of stock options on
October 29, 2004 to all regular management employees of the Company, including Named Executive Officers, pursuant to the terms of the 2000 Amended
Long-Term Incentive Plan. The committee also authorized a grant of performance-based restricted stock units on October 29, 2004 to twelve executive
officers, including the Named Executive Officers, also pursuant to the terms of the plan, giving the executives the opportunity to receive shares of
the Companys common stock after the performance and service conditions relating to the award have been met.
In determining the October 2004 grant of both stock options and
restricted stock units, the committee first reviewed data from both general industry and biotechnology companies to determine the proportion of a
Companys total number of shares outstanding typically used for employee compensation programs in the marketplace. After determining the number of
Company shares that could be used for awards for our 2005 fiscal year long-term incentive period based on that competitive analysis of the 50th and 75th percentiles of the
marketplace, market data by employee classification level was reviewed to determine the allocation of the available shares amongst all eligible
employees. For twelve executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, a long-term value was determined for each individual. Seventy-five
percent of that value was converted to a number of stock options using an estimated Black-Scholes value, and the remaining 25% of that value was
converted to a number of performance-based restricted stock units. For all other management employees (approximately 2000 people), the long-term
incentive opportunity for each individual was established (based on the individuals role) by converting a percentage of base pay to a number of
stock options using an estimated Black-Scholes value. Stock options granted in October 2004 for management were generally granted on October 29, 2004
to vest in annual increments of one-third; however, no options may vest before they have been held at least one year. Those eligible management
employees hired or promoted on or before August 15, 2005 have received pro-rated stock option grants generally upon the same terms and conditions as
the October 2004 grant, with the grant price equaling the fair market value of the Company stock on the date of the grant.
The performance-based restricted stock units granted to twelve
executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, in October 2004 were also granted on October 29, 2004, with vesting subject to (i) the
Companys attainment of specified performance criteria relating to cumulative earnings per share, cash flow and return on capital goals during the
designated performance period (September 1, 2004August 31, 2006), and (ii) the executives continued employment during the designated
service period (September 1, 2004 August 31, 2007). After the end of the performance period on August 31, 2006, the committee will determine
performance against the goal the committee established for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to the grant. If the Section 162(m)
performance goal is not met, all units will be forfeited as of November 15, 2006. If the Section 162(m) performance goal is met, a corresponding
portion of the units initially awarded to each executive, from zero to 200%, will be considered eligible for vesting as determined by the committee
based on the Companys attainment of the specified performance criteria during the performance period and the executives employment during
the service period. The executive is also eligible to receive cash payments equal to the cash dividends the executive would have been paid had he or
she been the record owner of a number of shares of Monsanto stock equal to the number of units subject to the award on the applicable record date. The
units will be settled by delivery of the appropriate number of shares of our common stock at the time of vesting or, if elected by the executive, at a
later time.
For our 2006 fiscal year long-term incentive compensation, the
committee authorized a grant of stock options on October 28, 2005 to all regular management employees of the Company, including the Named
Executive
28
Officers, pursuant to the terms of the 2000 Amended Long-Term
Incentive Plan, and a grant of performance-based restricted stock units to twelve of the executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, on
that same date. In determining the October 2005 grant of both stock options and restricted stock units, the committee used the same criteria to
determine the allocation of the available shares amongst all eligible employees as it had with respect to the October 2004 grant of stock options and
restricted stock units. The design of the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted to executives on October 28, 2005 are essentially the
same as those granted in October 2004, except that the designated performance period is September 1, 2005August 31, 2007 and the designated
service period is September 1, 2005August 31, 2008.
Other Grants. The committee
or the restricted stock grant committee of the board may also make grants of restricted stock to individual executives to hire or retain those
individuals or motivate achievement of particular business objectives. Additional stock option grants may be made to hire or retain certain
individuals, reflect increased responsibility, or motivate the achievement of a particular business objective.
Chief Executive Officer
Compensation
The committee meets no less than annually in executive session to
evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, the results of which are used to determine his compensation.
On October 11, 2004, after reviewing Mr. Grants performance
and relevant market data, the committee determined to increase his total annualized base pay to $1,050,000, effective as of January 3, 2005. Also on
October 11, 2004, the committee reconfirmed Mr. Grants annual incentive opportunity at target-level performance to be 100% of year-end base pay
for the 2005 fiscal year performance period. On October 29, 2004, Mr. Grant received a grant of 225,310 stock options at a grant price of $41.61 under
the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, upon the same terms and conditions approved by the committee for all management level employees. Mr. Grant
also received a grant of 25,040 performance-based restricted stock units at a grant price of $41.61 under the plan, upon the same terms and conditions
approved by the committee for other executive officers. Under the terms of this grant, Mr. Grant will be eligible to vest in between zero and 50,080
units, depending on Company performance. If he vests in some or all of the units and then meets the additional service requirement described above, he
will receive a corresponding number of shares of stock upon settlement of his units. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the award, Mr.
Grant has elected to defer receipt of any shares of stock pursuant to his units until shortly after his retirement or sooner if his employment should
be terminated.
On October 24, 2005, after again reviewing Mr. Grants
performance and relevant market data, the committee determined to increase his total annualized base pay to $1,100,000, effective as of January 2,
2006. Also on October 24, 2005, the committee reconfirmed Mr. Grants annual incentive opportunity at target-level performance to be 100% of
year-end base pay for the 2006 fiscal year performance period. The committee also evaluated Mr. Grants performance against corporate goals and
objectives and in recognition of the attainment of outstanding results, determined to pay him a bonus under the Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Incentive Plan
in the amount of $2,205,000, or 210% of his target award, which was paid in November 2005. On October 28, 2005, Mr. Grant received a grant of 168,460
stock options at a grant price of $58.435, also upon the same terms and conditions approved by the committee for all management level employees, and
18,720 performance-based restricted stock units at a grant price of $58.435, also upon the same terms and conditions as approved by the committee for
other executive officers.
On October 24, 2005, after evaluating the Companys
performance with respect to the financial goals of the performance-based restricted stock unit award made to Mr. Grant in February 2004, the committee
determined that based on Company performance, 34,320 units, or 200% of his target award would be made available for vesting after the additional
service requirement of the award has been met. If Mr. Grant meets the additional service requirement, he will receive a corresponding number of shares
of stock upon settlement of his units subject to his deferral described above.
Compensation for the Other Named
Executive Officers
The cash bonus awards to the other Named Executive Officers were
generally based upon the same factors as determined the funding of the incentive pool under the terms of the Annual Incentive Plan for the fiscal year
2005 performance period (paid in November 2005). On October 29, 2004 and on October 28, 2005, the other
29
executive officers received a grant of stock options at a
grant price of $41.61 and $58.435, respectively, under the 2000 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, upon the same terms and conditions approved by the
committee for all management level employees. On each of those dates, each of the Named Executive Officers also received a grant of performance-based
restricted stock units, upon the same terms and conditions as approved by the committee for other executive officers. Several executive officers have
elected to defer receipt of shares pursuant to these units, in accordance with their terms.
On October 24, 2005, after evaluating the Companys
outstanding performance with respect to the financial goals of the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted to each executive officer in
February 2004, the committee determined that twice each officers target-level award would be made available for vesting after his or her
additional service requirement has been met. If the executive officer meets the additional service requirement, he or she will receive a corresponding
number of shares of stock upon settlement of the units. Mr. Crews has elected to defer receipt of any shares of stock pursuant to his units until
shortly after his retirement or sooner if his employment should be terminated.
Table Describing Named Executive Officer
Compensation
The table below describes Named Executive Officer compensation
related to our 2005 fiscal year:
|
|
|
|
Cash Compensation for Fiscal Year 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 Long-Term Incentive Awards
Estimated Grant Date Values(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
Cash Incentives
|
|
Company Contributions and Allocations
to Savings Plans(2)
|
|
Other Compensation(3)
|
|
Stock Options
|
|
Performance- Based Restricted Stock
Units (5)(6)
|
|
Total(7)
|
Hugh Grant Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
1,037,115 |
|
|
$ |
2,205,000 |
|
|
$ |
222,180 |
|
|
$ |
129,560 |
|
|
$ |
3,750,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,593,855 |
|
Charles W. Burson Executive V.P., Secretary and General Counsel |
|
|
|
$ |
455,396 |
|
|
$ |
625,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
73,772 |
|
|
$ |
19,345 |
|
|
$ |
618,750 |
|
|
$ |
206,250 |
|
|
$ |
1,998,513 |
|
Carl M. Casale Executive V.P. North America Commercial |
|
|
|
$ |
468,423 |
|
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
|
$ |
62,239 |
|
|
$ |
7,208 |
|
|
$ |
1,125,000 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,637,870 |
|
Terrell K. Crews Executive V.P. and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
488,500 |
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
80,454 |
|
|
$ |
12,100 |
|
|
$ |
1,275,000 |
|
|
$ |
425,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,956,054 |
|
Robert T.
Fraley, Ph.D. Executive V.P. and Chief Technology Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
511,904 |
|
|
$ |
740,000 |
|
|
$ |
89,304 |
|
|
$ |
12,005 |
|
|
$ |
1,875,000 |
|
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,853,213 |
|
(1) |
|
For Mr. Burson and Mr. Crews the amounts include a special cash
bonus of $75,000 each that was in addition to the regular annual incentive payment under the Companys 2005 Annual Incentive Plan. |
(2) |
|
The Company Contributions and Allocations to Savings
Plans column reflects for each of the Named Executive Officers, employer matching contributions to the Monsanto Company Savings and Investment
Plan, a tax-qualified plan under the Code, and matching allocations under the Monsanto Company ERISA Parity Savings and Investment Plan, a
non-qualified savings and investment plan as shown on the Summary Compensation Table on page 19. Contributions and allocations shown are determined by
the same formulas and calculations as used for all other eligible U.S. employees. Amounts shown do not include estimated benefits payable under
tax-qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans to each of the Named Executive Officers. A description of such plans and estimated annual
benefits under such plans are set forth in the Pension Plans discussion beginning at page 23. |
(3) |
|
The Other Compensation column is the total of the
amounts shown in the Other Annual Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 19 plus dividend equivalents on
performance-based restricted stock units and dividends on restricted shares paid during fiscal year 2005. |
30
(4) |
|
Amounts shown are grant date values which were converted to stock
options and performance-based restricted stock units based on an estimated Black-Scholes value equal to 40% of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Company stock on the grant date. In determining the number of restricted stock units to be granted, a restricted stock unit was deemed to be equivalent
in value to three stock options. Assumptions used were volatility of 31.45%, risk-free rate of return of 4.18%, expected dividend yield of 1.56% and
expected life of ten years. The fair market value of a share of Company stock on the grant date was $41.61. |
(5) |
|
Amounts shown are the target values from the table captioned
Long Term Incentive Plan Awards in 2005 Fiscal Year on page 22. |
(6) |
|
On October 24, 2005, after evaluating the Companys
performance with respect to the financial goals of the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted to executive officers in February 2004,
the committee determined that based on the Companys outstanding results over the two-year performance period, 200% of each of the
executives target-level award would be made available for vesting subject to attainment of the additional service requirement, as follows: Mr.
Grant, 34,320 units; Mr. Burson, 5,660 units; Mr. Casale, 10,300 units; Mr. Crews, 11,680 units; and Dr. Fraley, 17,160 units. |
(7) |
|
The above table does not reflect any increase in defined benefit
plan benefits that may accrue to the Named Executive Officers as a result of these compensation actions, or any compensation income resulting from the
exercise or changes in valuation of previous stock option grants or other equity-based compensation. In addition, the actual value ultimately realized
by the named executive officers under the stock option and performance-based restricted stock grant awards set forth above will vary based on, among
other things, the Companys actual operating performance, fluctuations in the Companys stock price, differences from the valuation
assumptions used, and time of exercise or applicable vesting. |
Deductibility of
Compensation
The goal of the committee is to comply with the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent deemed practicable, with respect to options and annual and long-term incentive programs in order to avoid
losing the deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to one or more of the Named Executive Officers. We have generally structured our
performance-based compensation plans with the objective that amounts paid under those plans and arrangements are tax deductible, including having the
plans approved by the Companys shareowners. However, the committee may elect to provide compensation outside those requirements when it deems
appropriate to achieve its compensation objectives. No exceptions were made to this policy in our 2005 fiscal year other than with respect to the
CEOs annual base pay in excess of $1 million.
As required by the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m)
of the Code, shareowners must approve the material terms of the performance goal used for determining awards to the Named Executive Officers under the
Companys Annual Incentive Plan at least every five years. Therefore, in order to continue to allow annual incentive payments to be fully
deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company is again seeking shareowner approval of the performance goal under Section 162 (m) of the Code
at the annual meeting. No changes were made to the material terms of the performance goal since it was last approved.
Executive and Director Stock
Ownership Requirements
The committee and management also believe that an important
adjunct to an incentive program is significant stock ownership by the senior executives. Accordingly, the Company has stock ownership requirements for
approximately 40 executives, in addition to our non-employee directors. The stock ownership requirements are five times base salary for the
Companys chief executive officer, three times base salary for eleven other senior executives, one times base salary for the remaining executives
and 7,200 shares for non-employee directors. Unexercised stock options, restricted shares other than those granted at the time of an executives
hire and performance-based restricted stock units prior to the time the performance criteria have been met are not counted in satisfying these
requirements. Each covered executive and director must retain a specified portion of the shares of Company stock received as a result of exercise of a
stock option or settlement of a restricted stock grant or other equity-based award granted under the Companys long-term incentive plans until the
applicable stock ownership requirement is met. The required retention is net of the number of shares equal in value to the tax obligations with respect
to the award, assuming such taxes are paid at the highest marginal rate. The committee reviews progress towards meeting the ownership requirements at
least annually. In April 2005, in recognition of the increase in the Companys stock price and changes in base pay of executives
31
subject to the ownership requirements since the requirements
were implemented, the committee recommended and the board of directors approved a recalibration of the number of shares that must be held by executives
to meet each of the multiple of pay requirements and decreased from 12,000 shares to 7,200 shares the ownership requirements for non-employee
directors. As of the date of this letter, each of the Named Executive Officers and directors has met his or her stock ownership requirements through
holdings of shares of Company stock or share equivalents beneficially owned or owned under the Companys savings and investment
plans.
Summary
The committee believes that the caliber and motivation of the
employees, and the leadership of its CEO and executive officers, are critical factors in the Companys ability to create competitive advantage for
shareholders through Company performance. We believe the Companys compensation programs are designed and administered in a manner consistent with
its executive compensation philosophy and guiding principles. The programs continue to emphasize the retention of key executives and rewarding them
appropriately for positive results. We continually monitor these programs in recognition of the dynamic marketplace in which the Company competes for
talent. The Company will continue to emphasize pay-for-performance and equity-based incentive programs that reward executives for results that are
consistent with shareowner interests.
PEOPLE AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
C. Steven
McMillan, Chair
John W. Bachmann
Gwendolyn S. King
William U. Parfet
December 12, 2005
Report of the Audit and Finance
Committee
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to below, and
exercising our business judgment, the audit and finance committee has recommended to the board of directors (and the board of directors has approved)
that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005, for
filing with the SEC. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the audit and finance committee, among other things, has reviewed and discussed the audited
financial statements contained in the 2005 Form 10-K with the Companys management and its independent registered public accounting
firm.
Management, which is responsible for the financial statements and
the reporting process, including the system of internal control, has advised the audit and finance committee that all financial statements were
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Further, the independent registered public accounting firm,
which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States, has opined to the board of directors that the audited financial statements conform with such accounting principles. In addition, the
audit and finance committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by: Statement on
Auditing Standards, AU Section 380 (SAS No. 61), Communication with Audit Committees, as amended; Statement on Auditing Standards, AU Section 722 (SAS
100), Interim Financial Information; and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X, Communication with Audit Committees; as well as the auditors independence
from Monsanto and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees.
Members of the audit and finance committee rely, without
independent verification, on the information and representations provided to them by management and on the representations made to them by the
independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the oversight provided by the audit and finance committee should not be considered as
providing an independent basis for determining that management has established and maintained appropriate internal control over financial reporting,
that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or that the audit of
the Companys financial statements by the independent registered public accounting firm has been carried out in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States.
32
During and in connection with its 2005 fiscal year, the Company
has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (which we collectively refer to as
Deloitte) as its independent registered public accounting firm and to provide other professional services. The table below sets forth an
estimate of the fees that the Company expects to be billed for audit services for the 2005 fiscal year, as well as the fees expected to be billed by
Deloitte with respect to audit-related, tax and all other services rendered during the 2005 fiscal year. In addition, the table sets forth the fees
billed by Deloitte for audit, audit-related, tax and all other services during or in connection with the 2004 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
Amount Billed
|
|
Description of Professional
Service |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2005 |
|
Fiscal Year 2004 |
Audit
Fees professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, attestation of managements
report on internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs, consents related to
other filings with the SEC, and statutory and regulatory audits required for foreign jurisdictions |
|
|
|
$7.1
million |
|
$4.0
million |
Audit-related Services assurance and related services by Deloitte that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of financial statements, including employee benefit plan audits and due diligence services in connection with
acquisitions |
|
|
|
$1.2
million |
|
$0.4
million |
Tax
Fees professional services rendered by Deloitte for U.S. and foreign tax compliance, consulting and planning and expatriate tax
services |
|
|
|
$1.7
million |
|
$1.7
million |
All Other Fees
expatriate assignment services |
|
|
|
$0.3
million |
|
$0.2
million |
As described in our charter, it is the audit and finance
committees policy and procedure to review, consider and ultimately pre-approve, where appropriate, all audit and non-audit engagement services to
be performed by our independent registered public accounting firms. The audit and finance committees Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval
Policy is attached as Appendix C hereto. All of the audit services, audit-related services, tax services and
all other services provided by Deloitte during or in connection with the 2005 fiscal year were pre-approved by the audit and finance
committee in accordance with that policy. Further, in accordance with that Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, the committee has approved
the 2006 audit engagement plan and has pre-approved certain audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and all other services to be provided during the next 12 months or until the next audit engagement is approved by the audit and finance
committee, in each case after obtaining an understanding of the services and subject to a specific budget. The chair of the audit and finance committee
has the delegated authority to pre-approve the provision of additional services not contemplated by these initial pre-approvals based on an
understanding of the specific scope of the services, and will communicate any such approvals to the full audit and finance committee.
The audit and finance committee has numerous oversight
responsibilities beyond those related to the audited financial statements and the retention and oversight of the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm. Please see our charter, which is attached as Appendix B hereto, for a description of those other
responsibilities.
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
William U. Parfet,
Chair
John W. Bachmann
C. Steven McMillan
Robert J. Stevens
December 12, 2005
33
Stock Price Performance Graph
The graph below compares the performance of the Companys
common stock with the performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index (a broad-based market index) and a peer group index over a 58-month
period extending through the end of the 2005 fiscal year. In July 2003, we changed from a calendar year end to a fiscal year ending August 31. The
Company therefore had an eight-month transition period from January 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003. The measurement periods shown in the performance
graph below correspond to our calendar year ends prior to our change in fiscal year, our transition period that ended on August 31, 2003, and our
subsequent August 31 fiscal year ends. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on October 17, 2000, in our common stock or on September 30, 2000, in
the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index and the peer group index, and that all dividends were reinvested.
Because we are involved in the agricultural products and seeds
and genomics businesses, no published peer group accurately mirrors our portfolio of businesses. Accordingly, we created a peer group index that
includes Bayer AG ADR, Dow Chemical Company, DuPont (E.I.) de Nemours and Company, BASF AG and Syngenta AG. The Standard & Poors 500 Stock
Index and the peer group index are included for comparative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect managements opinion that such indices
are an appropriate measure of the relative performance of the stock involved, and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future
performance of our common stock.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
|
|
|
|
10/00 |
|
12/00 |
|
12/01 |
|
12/02 |
|
8/03 |
|
8/04 |
|
8/05 |
MONSANTO
COMPANY |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
135.32 |
|
|
|
171.24 |
|
|
|
99.71 |
|
|
|
135.78 |
|
|
|
196.63 |
|
|
|
347.49 |
|
S&P 500
INDEX |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
92.17 |
|
|
|
81.22 |
|
|
|
63.27 |
|
|
|
73.36 |
|
|
|
81.76 |
|
|
|
90.39 |
|
PEER
GROUP |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
130.99 |
|
|
|
110.38 |
|
|
|
104.39 |
|
|
|
117.92 |
|
|
|
137.53 |
|
|
|
160.93 |
|
In accordance with the rules of the SEC, the information contained in the Report of the People and Compensation Committee on Executive
Compensation beginning on page 26, the Report of the Audit and Finance Committee beginning on page 32 and the Stock Price Performance Graph on this
page, shall not be deemed to be soliciting material, or to be filed with the SEC or subject to the SECs Regulation 14A,
or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests
that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically
34
incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
requires all Company executive officers, directors, and persons owning more than 10% of any registered class of our capital stock to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on the reports received by us and on written representations from reporting persons, we
believe that all such persons complied with all applicable filing requirements during our 2005 fiscal year, except Robert A. Paley, one of our
executive officers, filed two late Form 4s, each reporting one transaction; and Brett D. Begemann, one of our executive officers, filed an amended Form
3 reporting an additional securities holding and one late Form 4 reporting one transaction.
General Information
Shareowner
Proposals
Proposals Included
in Proxy Statement
Proposals of shareowners of the Company that are intended to be
presented by such shareowners at the Companys 2007 annual meeting and that shareowners desire to have included in the Companys proxy
materials relating to such meeting must be received by the Company at its principal executive offices no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, August 16,
2006, which is 120 calendar days prior to the anniversary of this years mailing date. The proposal, including any accompanying supporting
statement, may not exceed 500 words. Upon timely receipt of any such proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include such proposal in
the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.
Proposals Not Included in the Proxy
Statement
If a shareowner wishes to present a proposal at the
Companys annual meeting in the year 2007 or to nominate one or more directors and the proposal is not intended to be included in the
Companys proxy statement relating to that meeting, the shareowner must give advance written notice to the Company prior to the deadline for such
meeting determined in accordance with the Companys by-laws. In general, the Companys by-laws provide that such notice should be addressed
to the Secretary and be received at the Companys Creve Coeur Campus no less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of
the preceding years annual meeting. For purposes of the Companys 2007 annual meeting, such notice must be received not later than October
19, 2006 and not earlier than September 19, 2006. These time limits also apply in determining whether notice is timely for purposes of rules adopted by
the SEC relating to the exercise of discretionary voting authority. The Companys by-laws set out specific requirements that such written notices
must satisfy. Any shareowner filing a written notice of nomination for director must describe various matters regarding the nominee and the shareowner,
including such information as name, address, occupation and shares held. Any shareowner filing a notice to bring other business before a shareowner
meeting must include in such notice, among other things, a brief description of the proposed business and the reasons therefore, and other specified
matters. Copies of those requirements will be forwarded to any shareowner upon written request.
Other
Information
The board of directors knows of no matter, other than those
referred to in this proxy statement, which will be presented at the meeting. However, if any other matters, including a shareowner proposal excluded
from this proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC, properly come before the meeting or any of its adjournments, the person or persons voting
the proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters. Should any nominee for director be unable to serve or for good cause will
not serve at the time of the meeting or any adjournments thereof, the persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of such other person for
such directorship as the board of directors may recommend, unless, prior to the meeting, the
35
board has eliminated that directorship by reducing the size
of the board. The board is not aware that any nominee herein will be unable to serve or for good cause will not serve as a director.
The Company will bear the expense of preparing, printing and
mailing this proxy material, as well as the cost of any required solicitation. Directors, officers or employees of the Company may solicit proxies on
behalf of the Company. We have engaged Morrow & Co., Inc. to assist us in the solicitation of proxies. We expect to pay Morrow approximately
$10,000 for these services plus expenses. In addition, the Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of the Companys stock and obtaining their
proxies.
You are urged to vote promptly by marking, signing, dating, and
returning your proxy card or by voting by telephone or over the Internet. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted; and if you attend
the meeting, as we hope you will, you may vote your shares in person.
By Order of the Board of
Directors,
MONSANTO COMPANY
CHARLES W. BURSON
Secretary
December 14,
2005
36
APPENDIX A
INFORMATION REGARDING OUR FORMATION
Prior to Sept. 1, 1997, a corporation that was then known as
Monsanto Company (Former Monsanto) operated an agricultural products business (the Ag Business), pharmaceuticals and nutrition business (the
Pharmaceuticals Business) and a chemical products business (the Chemicals Business). Former Monsanto is today known as Pharmacia. Pharmacia is now a
wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., which together with its subsidiaries operates the Pharmaceuticals Business. Our business consists of the
operations, assets and liabilities that were previously the Ag Business. Solutia comprises the operations, assets and liabilities that were previously
the Chemicals Business. The following table sets forth a chronology of events that resulted in the formation of Monsanto, Pharmacia and Solutia as
three separate and distinct corporations. For more information regarding the relationships between Monsanto, Pharmacia, Pfizer and Solutia, please see
our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on our website at http://www.monsanto.com.
Date of Event |
|
|
|
Description of Event |
Sept. 1,
1997 |
|
|
|
Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) entered into a Distribution Agreement with Solutia related to the transfer of the operations,
assets and liabilities of the Chemical Business from Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) to Solutia. Pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, Solutia assumed and agreed to indemnify Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) for certain liabilities related to the Chemicals
Business. |
Dec. 19,
1999 |
|
|
|
Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) entered into an agreement with Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. (PNU) relating to a merger (the
Merger). |
Feb. 9,
2000 |
|
|
|
We were incorporated in Delaware as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) under the name
Monsanto Ag Company. |
March 31,
2000 |
|
|
|
Effective date of the Merger. In connection with the Merger, (1) PNU became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmacia (then known
as Monsanto Company); (2) Pharmacia (then known as Monsanto Company) changed its name from Monsanto Company to Pharmacia
Corporation; and (3) we changed our name from Monsanto Ag Company to Monsanto Company. |
Sept. 1,
2000 |
|
|
|
We entered into a Separation Agreement with Pharmacia related to the transfer of the operations, assets and liabilities of the Ag
Business from Pharmacia to us. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, we were required to indemnify Pharmacia for any liabilities primarily
related to the Ag Business or the Chemicals Business, and for liabilities assumed by Solutia pursuant to the Sept. 1, 1997 Distribution Agreement, to
the extent that Solutia fails to pay, perform or discharge those liabilities. |
Oct. 23,
2000 |
|
|
|
We completed an initial public offering in which we sold approximately 15 percent of the shares of our common stock to the public.
Pharmacia continued to own 220 million shares of our common stock. |
July 1,
2002 |
|
|
|
Pharmacia, Solutia and we amended the Sept. 1, 1997, Distribution Agreement to provide that Solutia will indemnify us for the same
liabilities for which it had agreed to indemnify Pharmacia and to clarify the parties rights and obligations. Pharmacia and we amended
the Sept. 1, 2000 Separation Agreement to clarify our respective rights and obligations relating to our indemnification obligations. |
Aug. 13,
2002 |
|
|
|
Pharmacia distributed the 220 million shares of our common stock that it owned to its shareowners via a tax-free stock dividend (the
Monsanto Spinoff). As a result of the Monsanto Spinoff, Pharmacia no longer owns any equity interest in Monsanto. |
April 16,
2003 |
|
|
|
Pursuant to a merger transaction, Pharmacia became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer. |
A-1
APPENDIX B
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER
Purpose
The Audit and Finance Committee is
appointed by the Board to assist the Board in the oversight of (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2) the independent
auditors qualifications and independence, (3) the performance of the Companys internal audit function and the independent auditors, and (4)
the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) to be included in the Companys
annual proxy statement.
Committee Membership
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
consist of three or more members of the Board. The members of the Audit and Finance Committee shall meet the independence and experience requirements
of the New York Stock Exchange, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and the rules and regulations
of the Commission. No director may serve as a member of the Audit and Finance Committee if such director serves on the audit committees of more than
two other public companies unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service would not impair such directors ability to serve
effectively on the Audit and Finance Committee.
The members of the Audit and Finance
Committee shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Members shall serve at the
pleasure of the Board and for such term or terms as the Board may determine.
Committee Authority and Responsibilities
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
have the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditor (subject, if applicable, to shareholder ratification), and shall approve all
audit engagements and the fees and terms thereof and all non-audit engagements with the independent auditors subject to de minimus exceptions
for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act that are approved by the Audit and Finance Committee prior to the
completion of the audit. The Audit and Finance Committee may consult with management but shall not delegate these responsibilities to management. The
independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit and Finance Committee.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between
management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related
work.
The Audit and Finance Committee may
delegate the authority to approve audit and permitted non-audit engagements with the independent auditors to a member of the committee. If any such
authority is delegated, any decisions to pre-approve any activity shall be presented to the full Audit and Finance Committee at its next
meeting.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. The Audit and Finance Committee may form and delegate authority to
subcommittees when appropriate.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Company shall
provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit and Finance Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditor for the
purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report and to any advisors employed by the Audit and Finance Committee. The Audit and Finance Committee may
request any officer or employee of the Company or the Companys outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to
meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. The Audit and Finance Committee shall meet with management, the internal auditors and the
independent auditor in separate executive sessions at
B-1
least quarterly. The Audit and
Finance Committee may also, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, meet with the Companys investment bankers or with financial analysts
who follow the Company.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
make regular reports to the Board with respect to its activities, including any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the
Companys financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the
Companys independent auditors or the performance of the internal audit function. The Audit and Finance Committee shall review and reassess the
adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
The Audit and Finance Committee shall
produce and provide to the Board of Directors an annual performance evaluation of the Committee, which evaluation shall compare the performance of the
Audit and Finance Committee with the requirements of this Charter. The performance evaluation shall also recommend to the Board of Directors any
improvements to the Audit and Finances Charter deemed necessary or desirable by the Audit and Finance Committee. The performance evaluation by
the Audit and Finance Committee shall be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate. The report to the Board of Directors may take the
form of an oral report by the Chairperson of the Audit and Finance Committee or any other member of the Audit and Finance Committee designated by the
Committee to make this report.
The Audit and Finance Committee, to the
extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall:
Financial Statement and Disclosure
Matters
1. |
|
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor
the annual audited financial statements, including specific disclosures made in managements discussion and analysis, and recommend to the Board
whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Companys Form 10-K. |
2. |
|
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor
the Companys Form 10-Q, including the quarterly financial statements, prior to the filing of its Form 10-Q, including the results of the
independent auditors reviews of the quarterly financial statements. |
3. |
|
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor
(a) analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in
connection with the preparation of the Companys financial statements, including the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting
estimates and analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements, and (b) major issues regarding accounting principles and
financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Companys selection or application of accounting principles, and any
major issues as to the adequacy of the Companys internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control
deficiencies. |
4. |
|
Review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent
auditors on: |
(a) |
|
All critical accounting policies and practices to be
used. |
(b) |
|
All alternative treatments of financial information within
generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor. |
5. |
|
Discuss with management the Companys earnings press
releases, including the use of pro forma or adjusted non-GAAP information, as well as financial information and earnings
guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be
disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). |
6. |
|
Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect
of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Companys financial statements. |
7. |
|
Discuss with management the Companys major financial risk
exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Companys risk assessment and risk management
policies. |
B-2
8. |
|
Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit. In particular, discuss: |
(a) |
|
The adoption of, or changes to, the Companys significant
auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor, internal auditors or management. |
(b) |
|
The management letter provided by the independent auditor and
the Companys response to that letter, as well as other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as
any schedule of unadjusted differences. |
(c) |
|
Any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work,
including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with
management. |
9. |
|
Review disclosures made to the Audit and Finance Committee by
the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any
significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other
employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls. |
Oversight of the Companys Relationship with the
Independent Auditor
10. |
|
Review the experience and qualifications of the senior members
of the independent auditor team. |
11. |
|
Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least
annually regarding (a) the independent auditors internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the
preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, (c) any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (d) all
relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor,
including reviewing and evaluating the lead audit partner of the independent auditor and considering whether the auditors quality controls are
adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors independence, and taking into account the
opinions of management and the internal auditor. The Audit and Finance Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor
to the Board and, if so determined by the Audit and Finance Committee, recommend that the Board take additional action to satisfy itself of the
qualifications, performance and independence of the auditor. |
12. |
|
Ensure the rotation of the audit partners of the independent
auditor as required by law. Consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the
independent auditing firm on a regular basis. |
13. |
|
Recommend to the Board policies for the Companys hiring of
employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company. |
14. |
|
Discuss with the national office of the independent auditor
issues on which they were consulted by the Companys audit team and matters of audit quality and consistency. |
15. |
|
Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to discuss
the planning and staffing of the audit. |
Oversight of the Companys Internal Audit
Function
16. |
|
Review the appointment and replacement of the senior internal
auditing executive. |
17. |
|
Review the significant reports to management prepared by the
internal auditing department and managements responses. |
18. |
|
Discuss with the independent auditor and management the internal
audit department responsibilities, budget and staffing and any recommended changes in the planned scope of the internal audit. |
Compliance Oversight Responsibilities
19. |
|
As applicable, receive from the independent auditor any required
reports related to Section 10A(b) and Rule 13b2-2(b) under the Exchange Act. |
B-3
20. |
|
Receive reports from management, including the Companys
Director of Business Conduct and senior internal auditing executive, concerning the Companys and its subsidiaries and foreign affiliated
entities conformity with the Companys Code of Business Conduct and applicable legal requirements. Review reports and disclosures of insider
and affiliated party transactions. Advise the Board with respect to the Companys policies and procedures regarding compliance with the
Companys Code of Business Conduct and applicable laws and regulations. |
21. |
|
Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of
complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by
employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
22. |
|
Discuss with management and the independent auditor any
correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding the
Companys financial statements or accounting policies. |
23. |
|
Discuss with the Companys General Counsel legal matters
that may have a material impact on the financial statements or the Companys compliance policies. |
Financial Oversight
24. |
|
In discharging its finance oversight responsibilities, the Audit
and Finance Committee shall: |
(a) |
|
Review and discuss the Companys financial plans, policies
and budgets to ensure their adequacy and soundness in providing for the Companys current operations and long-term growth. |
(b) |
|
Review, discuss and make recommendations to the Board concerning
proposed equity, debt or other securities offerings and private placements. |
(c) |
|
Review and make recommendations to the Board concerning its
dividend policy and dividends to be paid. |
Employee Benefit Plans Investment Fiduciary
Function
25. |
|
Appoint the members and monitor the performance of the
Companys Pension and Savings Funds Investment Committee, which serves as fiduciary responsible for the control and management of the assets of
each employee pension or welfare benefit plan sponsored by the Company. |
Limitation of Audit and Finance Committees
Role
While the Audit and Finance Committee
has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit and Finance Committee to plan or conduct audits or to
determine that the Companys financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditor.
B-4
APPENDIX C
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT
SERVICES PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
Purpose
Pursuant to its charter, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the
Act) and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the Audit and Finance Committee (the Committee)
is required to pre-approve (1) all audit services provided to Monsanto Company (the Company), whether provided by the Companys
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and its affiliates and related entities (collectively, the independent auditor) or other
firms, and (2) all non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair
auditor independence.
Accordingly, before the Company or any of its subsidiaries
appoints an auditor, engages an auditor to render an audit service or engages the independent auditor to render a non-audit service, the appointment or
engagement must either: (i) be specifically approved by the Committee on a case-by-case basis, or (ii) have been previously approved by the Committee
pursuant to this policy. The Appendices to this policy describe the services that have been approved by the Committee pursuant to this policy. The term
of any pre-approval pursuant to this policy extends until the later of: twelve months or the date the next consolidated audit engagement plan is
approved by the Committee, unless the Committee specifically provides for a different period.
For both types of pre-approval, the Committee will consider
whether such services are consistent with the rules of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the PCAOB) on auditor
independence. Where applicable, the Committee will also consider whether the Companys independent auditor is best positioned to provide the most
effective and efficient service, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Companys business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk
profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance the Companys ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. All
such factors will be considered as a whole, and no one factor should necessarily be determinative.
Delegation
The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more
of its members and hereby delegates pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Committee; which delegation shall be effective until rescinded by
resolution of the Committee. Any member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval
decisions to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting; provided that such a report is not a condition subsequent to the
pre-approval.
The Committee may not delegate its pre-approval responsibilities
under this policy to the Companys management.
Definitions
Audit services are generally those services
that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. Audit services include all services (including required quarterly reviews, accounting
consultation and assistance from specialists including, without limitation, tax, valuation and actuary specialists) and other procedures the
independent auditor is required to perform in order to form an opinion of the Companys consolidated financial statements. These other procedures
include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control.
Audit services also include, without limitation, the attestation engagement for the independent auditors report on managements assertion
concerning internal control over financial reporting; the independent auditors report on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control
over financial reporting; required statutory audits (whether provided by the independent auditor or other firms); accounting consultations including
assistance with understanding and implementing accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; comfort letters; required
attest services; consents to and review of documents filed with the SEC; and assistance with responding to inquiries from regulators.
Audit-related services are assurance and
related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial statements or that are
traditionally performed by the
C-1
independent auditor. Audit-related services include, without
limitation, employee benefit plan audits; due diligence services related to mergers and acquisitions; attest services that are not required by statute
or regulations; stand-alone audit services not required in connection with the consolidated or any required statutory audit; and accounting
consultations, not classified as Audit services, which are related to transactions or to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure
matters.
Tax services are generally services such as
tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax services include, without limitation, preparation of original and amended tax returns and claims for
refund and tax payment; assistance with tax audits and appeals; assistance with transfer pricing matters; assistance related to employees on
international assignment; tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions and employee benefit plans; and requests for rulings or technical advice from
taxing authorities.
All Other services are those services or other
work that are not Audit services, Audit-related services or Tax services and that are not specifically prohibited by SEC rule or
regulation.
Pre-Approval
Audit Services
The Audit Committee must specifically pre-approve the terms of
the annual consolidated audit engagement, including the attestation related to internal control over financial reporting.1 The Committee shall approve, if necessary, any changes in terms resulting from changes in audit scope, Company
structure or other matters. The Committee has also pre-approved the Audit services listed in Appendix A. All Audit services not listed on
Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved in accordance with this policy.
Audit-related Services
The Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide
Audit-related services to the Company without impairing the auditors independence and has pre-approved the Audit-related services listed in
Appendix B. All Audit-related services related to internal controls, and all other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B must
be specifically pre-approved in accordance with this policy.
Tax Services
The Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide
Tax services to the Company without impairing the auditors independence. However, the Committee shall scrutinize carefully the retention of the
independent auditor in connection with any tax-related transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor. The Committee has pre-approved the
Tax services listed in Appendix C. All Tax services not listed in Appendix C must be specifically pre-approved in accordance with this
policy.
All Other Services
The Committee may grant pre-approval to those permissible
non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the
independent auditor and are consistent with the SECs rules on independence. The Committee has pre-approved the All Other services listed in
Appendix D. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix D must be specifically pre-approved in accordance with this
policy.
A list of the SECs prohibited non-audit services, as well
as arrangements and services prohibited by the PCAOB, is attached to this policy as Exhibit 1. The rules of the SEC and the PCAOB and relevant
guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the
prohibitions.
1 |
|
The engagement plan approved by the Committee sets forth the
particular services and fees approved in connection with the annual audit. |
C-2
Pre-Approval Fee Levels
The Committee is mindful of the relationship between fees for
audit and non-audit services in deciding whether to pre-approve any such services and may consider the ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit
services and the total amount of fees for Audit-related, Tax and All Other services.
The Committee may also consider the amount or range of estimated
fees as a factor in determining whether a proposed service would impair the independent auditors independence. Where the Committee has approved
an estimated fee for a service; the pre-approval applies to all services described in the pre-approval. However, in the event the invoice in respect of
any such service is materially in excess of the estimated amount or range, the Committee must approve such excess amount prior to payment of the
invoice. The Committee expects that any requests to pay invoices in excess of the estimated amounts will include an explanation as to the reason for
the overage.2 The Companys independent auditor will be informed of this
policy.
Procedures
All proposals or requests to the Committee for pre-approval of
services pursuant to this policy, or specific approval of a service on a case-by-case basis, must be accompanied by detailed documentation from the
independent auditor or auditor, as the case may be, regarding the specific services to be provided. Such documentation must be submitted to the
Companys Chief Financial Officer or Controller for their prior review and comment.
Any request for specific approval of a service to be provided by
the independent auditor, which was not previously approved pursuant to this policy, shall be submitted to the Committee by both the independent auditor
and the Companys Chief Financial Officer or Controller3 and must also include a joint
statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SECs and PCAOBs rules on auditor
independence.
Monitoring Responsibility
The Companys management shall inform the Committee of each
service performed by the independent auditor pursuant to this policy. The Committee further designates the head of the Companys internal audit
function to monitor the performance of all services provided by the independent auditor and to determine whether such services are in compliance with
this policy. The head of the Companys internal audit function will report to the Committee on a periodic basis, but not less frequently than
quarterly, on the results of its monitoring. Both the head of the Companys internal audit function and the Companys Chief Financial Officer
will immediately report to the Chairman of the Committee any breach of this policy that comes to their attention or the attention of any member of the
Companys management.
Hiring Members of the Audit Engagement
Team
The Company shall not, without prior approval of the Committee,
hire any employee of the independent auditor who was a member of the audit engagement team for the Company during the one-year period prior to the
initiation of the most recent audit engagement to serve in a financial reporting oversight role for the Company. A person shall be deemed to be in a
financial reporting oversight role if he or she would be in a position to exercise influence over the contents of the Companys
financial statements or anyone who prepares them including, without limitation, serving as the Companys chief financial officer, chief operating
officer, general counsel, chief accounting officer, controller, director of internal audit, director of financial reporting, treasurer, or any
equivalent position.
2 |
|
It is understood that estimated amounts that are denominated in
dollars but are ordinarily paid in another currency are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Thus, variances from estimated amounts arising
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates from the time of preparation of the relevant approval request will not be considered to be
variances from the budgeted amount, and payment of the related invoices will not require a subsequent approval. |
3 |
|
Or other designated officers. |
C-3
APPENDIX A
Pre-Approved Audit Services
Dated: December 12, 2005
Service |
|
|
|
Range of Fees* |
Performance of
audit services detailed on Appendix A-1 |
|
|
|
Up
to $250 |
C-4
APPENDIX A-1
Detailed Description of Pre-Approved Audit
Services
(i) |
|
Consultations with Company management and training of personnel
as to the accounting or disclosure treatment and/or actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC,
PCAOB, FASB or other regulatory or standard setting bodies, arising in connection with the audit or review of the consolidated financial
statements |
(ii) |
|
Audits of opening balance sheets of acquired companies and
accounting consultations as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions and proposed transactions, to the extent such procedures would be
required in connection with the audit |
(iii) |
|
Services related to procedures used to support the calculation
of the gain or loss from dispositions and discontinued operations, if such operations are or have been included in the Companys consolidated
financial statements |
(iv) |
|
Statutory basis audits of the Companys subsidiaries or
affiliates |
(v) |
|
Services that result from the role of D&T as independent
auditor, such as reviews of SEC filings, consents, letters to underwriters and other services related to financings that include audited financial
statements |
(vi) |
|
Assistance with responding to SEC comment letters or other
inquiries by regulators, and preparation of reports to regulators, related to financial accounting and disclosure matters |
(vii) |
|
Preparation of accounting preferability letters related to
changes in accounting |
C-5
APPENDIX B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services
Dated: December 12, 2005
Service |
|
|
|
Range of Fees* |
Performance of
audit-related services detailed on Appendix B-1 |
|
|
|
Up
to $250 |
C-6
APPENDIX B-1
Detailed Description of Pre-Approved Audit Related
Services
(i) |
|
Consultations with Company management and training of personnel
as to the accounting or disclosure treatment and/or actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC,
PCAOB, FASB or other regulatory or standard setting bodies, to the extent such services are not Audit services |
(ii) |
|
Audits of opening balance sheets of acquired companies and
accounting consultations as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions and proposed transactions, to the extent such services are not
Audit services |
(iii) |
|
Services related to procedures used to support the calculation
of the gain or loss from dispositions and discontinued operations, to the extent such services are not Audit services |
(iv) |
|
Audits of transactions and financial statements, including
financial statements of subsidiaries and businesses, that are used by investors, lenders or for other similar purposes and similar reports, other than
in connection with the consolidated or any required statutory audit |
(v) |
|
Compliance letters, agreed upon procedures and similar reports
related to the Companys financial reporting system, except to the extent connected to the consolidated audit |
(vi) |
|
Audits of the financial statements of the Companys
employee benefit plans |
(vii) |
|
Assisting the Company with tax accounting related issues,
including tax accounting for transactions and proposed transactions |
(viii) |
|
Due diligence services pertaining to transactions and potential
transactions |
(ix) |
|
Assisting the Company with accounting issues and audits of
subsidiary and carve-out financial statements related to the disposal of Company operating assets, other than in connection with the consolidated
audit |
C-7
APPENDIX C
Pre-Approved Tax
Services
Dated: December 12, 2005
Service |
|
|
|
Range of Fees* |
Performance of
tax services detailed on Appendix C-1 |
|
|
|
Up
to $2,400 |
C-8
APPENDIX C-1
Detailed Description of Pre-Approved Tax
Services
(i) |
|
U.S. federal, state, local and non-US tax returns and other tax
compliance work, including extensions, estimated payments, amended returns, claims for refund and related filings |
(ii) |
|
Expatriate tax compliance, including international assignment
services |
(iii) |
|
Assistance with tax examinations and/or other regulatory
inquiries related to federal, state, local and non-US tax returns |
(iv) |
|
Transfer pricing documentation |
B. |
|
U.S. federal, state, local and non-US tax planning and
advice |
(i) |
|
Consultation and analysis related to filing positions and proper
tax treatment or benefit of transactions in preparation of tax returns |
(ii) |
|
Consultation regarding tax accounting, including tax accounting
process improvements and tax accounting for transactions and proposed transactions |
(iii) |
|
Tax due diligence services pertaining to transactions and
potential transactions |
(iv) |
|
Transfer pricing study of intercompany transactions (including
intercompany pricing of tangible and intangible property, services and loans) |
(v) |
|
Assistance with ruling requests or other approvals from relevant
government authorities on the tax treatment of transactions, income or expenses |
(vi) |
|
Preparation and consultations relating to international
assignment cost projections and hypothetical tax calculations for employees on foreign assignment |
(vii) |
|
Implementation and licensing of software used to facilitate the
preparation of tax returns. This does not, however, include implementation or licensing of any software whose principal purpose is the accounting for
income taxes in the Companys U.S. GAAP financial statements. |
C-9
APPENDIX D
Pre-Approved All Other
Services
Dated: December 12, 2005
Service |
|
|
|
Range of Fees* |
Performance of
expatriate assignment services detailed on Appendix D-1 |
|
|
|
Up
to $400 |
C-10
APPENDIX D-1
Detailed Description of Pre-Approved All Other
Services
(i) |
|
Coordinate the international human resources functions for
Monsantos international assignees pursuant to the Monsanto International Assignment Policy including overseeing the assignment start-up process
(after Monsanto personnel had identified the assignee and determined the components of the assignees compensation package), third party vendor
coordination (e.g., language or cross cultural training, moving companies, immigration, destination services, etc.), and assignment orientation
processes. |
(ii) |
|
Act as the primary point of contact for the day-to-day
administration of international assignments under the terms of the Monsanto International Assignment Policy. |
(iii) |
|
Manage certain compensation functions including oversight of the
support processes that interface with Monsantos payroll and accounting functions, limited to collecting and summarizing compensation data which
has been paid to or on behalf of Monsanto assignees in accordance with normal Monsanto policies and the Monsanto International Assignment Policy.
Specifically excluded from this function is any direct input by D&T personnel of any data into the Monsanto accounting system or determination of
assignee compensation elements contrary to any Monsanto policy. |
C-11
EXHIBIT 1
Prohibited Non-Audit Services
|
|
Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records
or the Company§ |
|
|
Financial information systems design and implementation§ |
|
|
Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or
contribution-in-kind reports§ |
|
|
Internal audit outsourcing services§ |
|
|
Broker-dealer, investment adviser or investment banking
services |
|
|
Expert services unrelated to the audit |
|
|
Contingent fee engagements |
|
|
Tax services for Persons in Financial Reporting Oversight Roles
after June 30, 2006. |
|
|
Aggressive tax position transactions initially recommended by the
independent auditor, a significant purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which is not at least more likely than not to be allowed
under the applicable tax laws |
|
|
Tax planning marketed, planned by or opined on under
confidentiality restrictions imposed by the auditor; this does not include services provided under confidentiality restrictions imposed by
Monsanto |
§ |
|
Unless it is reasonable to conclude that the results of these
services will not be subject to audit procedures during an audit of the Companys financial statements. |
C-12
APPENDIX D
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS
ATTACHMENT A
to
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHARTER
AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
INDEPENDENCE
STANDARDS
An independent Director is one whom the
Board affirmatively determines has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an
organization that has a relationship with the Company). The Board of Directors has adopted the following categorical standards to assist it in the
determination of each Directors independence. The Board of Directors will determine the independence of any Director with a relationship to the
Company that is not covered by these standards and the Company will disclose the basis of such determinations and the identity of all directors who
have been determined to be independent in the Companys annual proxy statements.
A Director will be presumed to be
independent if the Director:
1) Has not been
an employee of the Company for at least three years, other than in the capacity as a former interim Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or other
executive officer;
2) Has not,
within the past three years, worked on the Companys audit as a partner or employee of a firm that is the Companys internal or external
auditor, and is not a current partner or employee of such a firm;
3) Has not,
during the last three years, been employed as an executive officer by a company for which an executive officer of the Company concurrently served as a
member of such companys compensation committee;
4) Has no
immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law
and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares the Directors home) who did not satisfy the foregoing criteria; provided, however, that,
with respect to the employment criteria, such Directors immediate family member may (i) serve or have served as an employee other than a partner
in a firm that is the Companys internal or external auditor, unless such family member has participated in the firms audit, assurance or
tax compliance (other than tax planning) practice within the past three years, or personally worked on the Companys audit during that time; and
(ii) serve or have served as an employee but not as an executive officer of the Company during such period.
5) Has not
received, and has no immediate family member who has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $100,000 in direct
compensation from the Company (other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board or pension or
other deferred compensation for prior service, provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); provided, however,
that neither compensation received by a Director for former service as an interim Chairman or CEO or other executive officer nor compensation received
by a Directors immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee shall be considered in determining independence;
6) Is not a
current executive officer or employee, and has no immediate family member who is a current executive officer, of a company that made payments to, or
received payments from, the Company for property or services in any of the last three fiscal years in an amount which, in any single fiscal year,
exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other companys consolidated gross revenues as measured against the most recent completed fiscal
year.
7) Has not been,
and has no immediate family member who has been, an executive officer of a foundation, university, non-profit trust or other charitable organization,
for which charitable contributions from the Company and its respective trusts or foundations, account or accounted for more than 2% or $1
million,
D-1
whichever is greater, of such
charitable organizations consolidated gross revenues, in any single of the last three fiscal years, unless the Company discloses all
contributions made to the recipient organization in its annual proxy statement; and
8) Does not
serve, and has no immediate family member who has served, as an executive officer or general partner of an entity that has received an investment from
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, unless such investment is less than $1 million or 2% of such entitys total invested capital, whichever is
greater, in any of the last three years.
In addition, to the foregoing, a
Director will be considered independent for purposes of serving on the Companys Audit and Finance Committee only if the
Director:
1) Has not
accepted, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, other than in
the Directors capacity as a director or committee member or any pension or other deferred compensation for prior service, provided that such
compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service; and
2) Is not an
affiliated person of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
D-2
APPENDIX E
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF
DIRECTORS
ATTACHMENT B
to
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHARTER
AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
OF DIRECTORS
1. Personal Characteristics |
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Integrity and Accountability: |
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High ethical standards, integrity and strength of character in his or her personal and professional
dealings and a willingness to act on and be accountable for his or her decisions. |
Informed Judgment: |
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Demonstrate intelligence, wisdom and thoughtfulness in decision-making. Demonstrate a willingness to
thoroughly discuss issues, ask questions, express reservations and voice dissent. |
Financial Literacy: |
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An ability to read and understand balance sheets, income and cash flow statements. Understand financial
ratios and other indices for evaluating Company performance. |
Mature Confidence: |
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Assertive, responsible and supportive in dealing with others. Respect for others, openness to
others opinions and the willingness to listen. |
High Standards: |
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History of achievements that reflect high standards for himself or herself and others. |
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2. Core Competencies1 |
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Accounting and Finance: |
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Experience in financial accounting and corporate finance, especially with respect to trends in debt and
equity markets. Familiarity with internal financial controls. |
Business Judgment: |
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Record of making good business decisions and evidence that duties as a Director will be discharged in
good faith and in a manner that is in the best interests of the Company. |
Management: |
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Experience in corporate management. Understand management trends in general and in the areas in which the
Company conducts its business. |
Crisis Response: |
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Ability and time to perform during periods of both short-term and prolonged crisis. |
Industry/Technology: |
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Unique experience and skills in an area in which the Company conducts its business, including science,
manufacturing and technology relevant to the Company. |
International Markets: |
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Experience in global markets, international issues and foreign business practices. |
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The Board as a whole needs the core competencies represented by at least several
directors. |
E-1
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Leadership: |
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Understand and possess skills and have a history of motivating high-performing, talented
managers. |
Strategy and Vision: |
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Skills and capacity to provide strategic insight and direction by encouraging innovations,
conceptualizing key trends, evaluating strategic decisions, and challenging the Company to sharpen its vision. |
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3. Commitment to the Company |
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Time and Effort: |
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Willing to commit the time and energy necessary to satisfy the requirements of Board and Board Committee
membership. Expected to attend and participate in all Board meetings and Board Committee meetings in which they are a member. Encouraged to attend all
annual meetings of shareholders. A willingness to rigorously prepare prior to each meeting and actively participate in the meeting. Willingness to make
himself or herself available to management upon request to provide advice and counsel. |
Awareness and Ongoing Education: |
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Possess, or be willing to develop, a broad knowledge of both critical issues affecting the Company
(including industry-, technology- and market-specific information), and directors roles and responsibilities (including the general legal
principles that guide board members). |
Other Commitments: |
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In light of other existing commitments, ability to perform adequately as a Director, including
preparation for and attendance at Board meetings and annual meetings of the shareholders, and a willingness to do so. |
Stock Ownership: |
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Pursuant to the Monsanto Company Executive and Director Stock Ownership Requirements, if a non-employee
director owns less than 7,200 shares of the Companys common stock, the director is required to retain a specified portion of the shares of
Company stock received as the result of exercising a stock option or pursuant to a restricted stock grant or other equity-based award granted under the
Companys long term incentive plans until the applicable stock ownership requirement is met. The required retention is net of the number of shares
equal in value to the tax obligations with respect to the award, assuming such taxes are paid at the highest marginal rate. The retention percentage is
75% if a director owns or beneficially owns less than 3,600 shares of Company common stock and 50% if a director owns or beneficially owns more than
3,600 but less than 7,200 shares of Company common stock. |
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4. Team and Company Considerations |
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Balancing the Board: |
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Contributes talent, skills and experience that the Board needs as a team to supplement existing resources
and provide talent for future needs. |
Diversity: |
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Contributes to the Board in a way that can enhance perspective and experiences through diversity in
gender, ethnic background, geographic origin, and professional experience (public, private, and non-profit sectors). Nomination of a candidate should
not be based solely on these factors. |
E-2
Directions from downtown St. Louis:
Take Interstate 64/Highway 40 west to Lindbergh Boulevard north.
Take Lindbergh Boulevard north about 2-1/2 miles to the Olive Boulevard west exit. Follow Olive to the first traffic light. Turn left and immediately
left again into Monsantos Creve Coeur Campus. Please follow the signs to the parking area and entrance to Building K.
Directions from St. Louis International Airport
(Lambert):
Take Interstate 70 west to Lindbergh Boulevard south. Take
Lindbergh Boulevard south about 6 miles to Olive Boulevard west exit. Follow Olive to the first traffic light. Proceed directly across the intersection
and then immediately turn left into Monsantos Creve Coeur Campus. Please follow the signs to the parking area and entrance to Building
K.
Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareowners
and Proxy Statement
This Proxy Statement is printed entirely on recycled and
recyclable paper. Soy ink, rather than petroleum-based ink, is used throughout.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR items 1 2 and 3 and AGAINST items
4 and 5. |
Please
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments |
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c |
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SEE
REVERSE SIDE |
ITEM 1 |
ELECTION OF
DIRECTOR NOMINEES: |
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FOR all
nominees listed
(except as marked to
the contrary) |
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WITHHELD
AUTHORITY
to vale for all
nominees listed |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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ITEM
3 |
APPROVAL
OF PERFORMANCE
GOAL UNDER §1 62(m) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE |
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To
be elected for terms expiring in 2009: |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
01
Hugh Grant |
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ITEM
4 |
APPROVAL
OF SHAREOWNER
PROPOSAL ONE |
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02
C. Steven McMillan |
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03
Robert J. Stevens |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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ITEM
5 |
APPROVAL
OF SHAREOWNER
PROPOSAL TWO |
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Withheld
for the nominees you list below: (Write that nominees name in the
space provided below.) |
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WILL
ATTEND |
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If
you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please
mark the WILL ATTEND box |
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c |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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ITEM
2 |
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
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NOTE: Please sign as
name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. |
A
FOLD AND DETACH HERE A |
Choose
MLinkSM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access
to your future proxy materials, investment plan
statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect®
at www.melloninvestor.com/isd where
step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment.
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Vote
by Internet or Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet
and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.
Your
Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares
in
the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
Internet
http://www.proxyvoting.com/mon
Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand
when you access the web site.
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OR |
Telephone
1-866-540-5760
Use
any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand
when you call.
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OR |
Mail
Mark, sign and date
your proxy card
and
return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. |
If
you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.
You
can view the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
on the Internet at http://www.monsanto.com
PROXY
THIS PROXY
IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF MONSANTO COMPANY
The
undersigned hereby appoints Hugh Grant and Charles W. Burson, and each of them,
with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies
and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided
on the other side, all the shares of Monsanto Company Common Stock which the
undersigned is entitled to vote and, in their discretion, to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareowners
of the Company to be held January 17, 2006 or any adjournment thereof, with
all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting.
THIS
PROXY CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE CARD IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY
CARD WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES UNDER ITEM 1, FOR ITEM 2,
FOR ITEM 3, AGAINST ITEM 4, AND AGAINST ITEM 5 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE
PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
(Continued,
and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
Address
Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) |
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MONSANTO
COMPANY
Annual Meeting of
Shareowners
January 17, 2006
2:30 p.m. Central Time
800 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
K Building
Creve Coeur, Missouri 63167
Please present this
admission ticket and photo identification for the shareowner
named on the front of this card for admittance to the annual meeting. For security
purposes, bags and purses will be subject to search at the door. Seating at
the
meeting will be limited and admittance will be based on space availability.