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”Roundup is not a carcinogen,” says Monsanto CEO

Part 2 of Hugh Grant’s interview with Here & Now

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

On Thursday, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant joined Here & Now in Boston for a two-part interview to discuss various issues in the ag industry.

In Part 1, Grant discussed GMOs, strategies to make agriculture more sustainable and consumer concerns with host Jeremy Hobson.

Part 2 sees Grant touch on a variety of topics including Monsanto and Roundup’s places in the global landscape.

When it comes to those who believe Roundup is a cancer-causing product, Grant’s answer was direct.

“Roundup is not a carcinogen,” he said during the interview.

Grant said the product has been tested and reviewed nearly each of its 40-year existence. According to Grant, Europe’s review of the product was “glowing,” Canada is currently conducting its review and the United States will conduct its own as well.

“I’ve absolutely no concerns about the safety of the product,” he said.

Despite being the head of a company that makes chemical products, Grant says the future of agriculture will depend on a cooperative effort from organic and conventional farmers, especially as infrastructure continues to develop.

“As urbanization increases, we’re going to need all kinds of agriculture,” he said. “It’s framed somehow as big versus little, or organic verses conventional. We’re going to need everybody at the table.”


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Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?


Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
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The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.