Monsanto Company (MON), a big name in seed distribution, is trading higher this afternoon. With less than ninety minutes to go before the end of the session, shares of the company are up 0.7% to $48.85. Not a huge move. Volume, however, is significantly above average.

Interestingly enough, there have been some negative headlines about the business today. As an example, TheFly mentions a downgrade on the stock by Goldman Sachs. And then there's this one over at Zacks.com, describing the company's quarterly report as weak.

Just call December a break-out month for Syngenta Ag (SYT), and that's a major reason why I'm reiterating my buy rating for the company's shares, first recommended on June 16, 2009, at a price of $47.28.

Syngenta's stock did revisit and break through the psychologically-significant $50 level and shortly later removed a possible double-top -- a bearish pattern, from a technical analysis standpoint.

Monsanto's (NYSE: MON) stock has not cooperated since the June 15, 2009 Buy recommendation, as the shares have drifted about 10% lower.

Still, nothing has changed regarding MON's value proposition, hence I'm Reiterating my June 15, 2009 Buy recommendation, when shares were at $84.97. Higher-value-added, next-generation seeds will see substantial demand increases as the economic recovery progresses. Moreover, there is ample room to expand international sales, as emerging markets continue to develop their agriculture sectors and seek higher per acre yields.

I was reading through some articles this weekend, when I found one from BusinessWeek, questioning the viability of herbicide producer Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON).

The article focuses on the past six months, a period when MON shares have lagged behind the broader market, and then wonders if the stock is still a viable long-term investment. The story was prompted by last Thursday's earnings forecast for $3.10 to $3.30 per share in fiscal 2010, which was well short of the $4.10 that the Street expects.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is another one of those demonstrated business companies that was treated rudely by Wall Street in 2008. Pushed to highs over $130 during the commodities mania of 2008, the Street then proceeded to take shares to the mid-$60s. Rational? Hardly.

Hopefully, rationality will re-assert itself in the years ahead. In general, analysts see 6-9% revenue growth for FY2009, led by stable corn and soybean seeds sales.

Shares of seed and agricultural products company Monsanto Company (NYS: MON) plunged from $92 to $79 yesterday when the company lowered guidance. Monsanto has long been a favorite play on the growing demand for food. It's high-tech, genetically manipulated seeds can produce higher crop yields. No doubt, the food future looks bleak and that's good for Monsanto. But how long will investors have to wait before demand hockey sticks for these seeds and Monsanto can make higher prices stick?

Change is rarely easy for any corporation, and when you're the size of Du Pont, it's practically an undertaking of epic proportions.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (NYSE: DD) is the No. 3 chemical maker in the U.S. Analysts say DD's restructured business operations, which reduced its business units to 5 from 8, including an exit from the pharmaceutical and fibers business, should begin to produce results in 2008.

Analysts see 2008 revenue advancing about 5%-8%, after a 5-7% gain in 2007. DD's agriculture segment will continue to shine, with revenues increasing about 10-12%, aided by strong seed sales. Further, global chemical demand should offset softness in the U.S. The Reuters FY 2007/FY 2008 EPS consensus estimates for DD are $3.19 to $3.41.

For or against them, bioengineered crops are here to stay and are likely to continue to play a pivotal role in economic development in emerging markets. A company destined to remain a force in this space is Monsanto (NYSE: MON).

Monsanto's biotechnology is helping farmers grow more crops, and the bio effort may one day totally displace chemical-product herbicides. In sum, most likely it's bio in, agrochemicals out, long-term.

Analysts like MON's large seed portfolio and superior performance in corn, soybean, cotton and wheat. Food demand in the developing world alone adds value to these operations, but as most realize, selected crops may play a sizable role in energy in the decade ahead, if crude oil remains at near-record levels and other alternatives do not emerge.

Agrium (NYSE: AGU) volatility is flat as AGU at record high on strong fertilizer demand. AGU, an agricultural retailer and fertilizer producer, closed at $54.38. AGU over all option implied volatility of 39 is near its 26-week average of 38 according to Track Data, suggesting nondirectional risk.

Terra Industries (NYSE: TRA) volatility is flat; TRA is near record on demand for nitrogen. TRA, an international producer of nitrogen products for industry and agriculture, closed at $31.26. TRA is expected to report EPS on 10/25. TRA over all option implied volatility of 52 is near its 26-week average of 50 according to Track Data, suggesting nondirectional risk.

Option update provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.