Licensing

The license to distribute or market the hardy, NDSU-developed varieties is held by the NDSU Research Foundation (NDSU/RF). In order to comply with the contractual obligations of the Monsanto license, such as reporting requirements and payment of fees due from the license agreement, the NDSU/RF uses a licensing program to control seed production. Following strict criteria, the NDSU/RF has identified a select group of certified seed growers and approved certified conditioning facilities that meet the criteria for producing, conditioning, and marketing the Roughrider Genetics® varieties.

The soybean varieties are distributed to farmers in a similar manner as used with other varieties in the past. The NDSU Foundation Seedstocks Project produces the Foundation Seed, which is sold to Licensed Growers for the production of Certified Seed. Certified seed production is restricted to Licensed Growers, who may then sell the seed to growers.

NDSU/RF and the Licensed Growers collect a technology royalty on each unit of seed sold. Licensed Growers may only sell Roundup Ready® soybean varieties to farmers who have signed a Monsanto License and who are eligible to purchase seed of a Roundup Ready® soybean variety. This is similar to the Monsanto requirements for privately sold Roundup Ready® soybean varieties.