First quarter used to be a quiet one for Monsanto (MON), but the seed company makes noise this time, easily besting analyst expectations on strong corn seed sales in South America. Earnings more than double from a year ago, with a 27% jump in corn seed net sales driving the beat. South American farmers are buying more of the company's top genetically modified seed, but MON adds that US sales are also ahead of last year's pace. MON up 4% to $99.80 premarket. (ian.berry@dowjones.com; @enberry)

Call us at (212) 416-2181 or john.shipman@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 08, 2013 08:38 ET (13:38 GMT)