EX-99 2 ex9901082506.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 LETTER TEMPLATE FOR USE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS Dear customer, By now, most of our customers have heard that Monsanto intends to acquire Delta and Pine Land Company. We are excited about the potential this brings in joining the world's highest quality cotton seed business and the world's best developer of agricultural biotechnology. At this time though, D&PL's focus remains unchanged: to develop, sell, and service cotton seed that will continue to enhance farmers' ability to make a profit. After the transaction is consummated, and Monsanto and D&PL join forces, we will continue our tradition of customer service through innovation and leadership. The historic D&PL portion of the organization will continue to make strides in cotton research while the Monsanto research components will continue to identify cotton traits and genes that will further enhance our varieties. Monsanto has the ability to take cotton research to new levels by pulling useful research techniques and progress from their other research programs. The combination of our elite germplasm with this technology will enable us to get new products to market, well-tested, yet more quickly than ever before. In the last couple of years, our international business has grown thanks to customers/partners like you. We expect that to continue as we evolve our business just as farmers needs evolve. As the pace of change in agriculture continues to accelerate, Monsanto's acquisition of D&PL reflects our desire to stay at the forefront of change, with the goal of providing you, our customers and industry partners, products and services that will benefit your businesses for years to come. Sincerely, In connection with Monsanto Company's ("Monsanto") proposed acquisition of Delta and Pine Land Company ("D&PL") pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among D&PL, Monsanto, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monsanto, D&PL will file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Investors are urged to read the proxy statement (including all amendments and supplements to it) because it will contain important information. Investors may obtain free copies of the proxy statement when it becomes available, as well as other filings containing information about D&PL, without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). These documents may also be obtained for free from D&PL's Investor Relations web site (www.deltaandpine.com) or by directing a request to D&PL at: Delta and Pine Land Company, Corporate Offices, P.O. Box 157, Scott, MS 38772. D&PL and its respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees are potential participants in the solicitation of proxies from D&PL's stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding D&PL's directors and executive officers is available in D&PL's proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2005. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants in the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. This written communication contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Monsanto's proposed acquisition of D&PL, D&PL's expected financial performance, as well as D&PL's strategic and operational plans. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this written communication due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the transaction will not close or that the closing may be delayed; the reaction of customers of Monsanto and D&PL to the transaction; Monsanto's ability to successfully integrate D&PL's operations and employees; and general economic conditions. In addition, please refer to the documents that Monsanto and D&PL file with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The filings by each of Monsanto and D&PL identify and address other important factors that could cause their respective financial and operational results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements set forth in this written communication. Monsanto and D&PL are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results.