Monsanto's monopoly profits are about to increase.  Next year you will have the privilege of paying a huge price hike for their stuff.

Even the list price on seed corn will topple the $300 per bag barrier starting this fall, up about $95 to $100 per bag, or 35 percent on average, according to Monsanto officials who met with DTN and Progressive Farmer editors this week. They will be implementing a more aggressive plan to price seed based on the benefits that they think high technology conveys to farmers.

Does a competitive marketplace regulate their prices?  No.  The test is whether Monsanto executives' faces are red.  You know... from embarassment.  Which is never.

For 2009, 76 percent of the company's corn sales will be triple stack, "so we think we can get the pricing right to show farmers the benefits," John Jansen, Monsanto's corn traits lead. "We can pass the red-faced test from the Panhandle of Texas to McLean County, Ill."

Attorneys general from several states are investigating Monsanto's licensing practices.  The licenses likely have contract terms that freeze out competitors from the market and, thus, quash future innovation.  Producers need to get their AG's involved.  

The amount of money Monsanto is taking from Rural America could be put to much better use.