Fifteen scientists representing 13 universities gathered at Becker Underwood’s Technical Forum in St. Joseph, Missouri. on March 8 to discuss ways to improve quality and yields in legume crops using inoculants and other biological seed treatments.

The Forum featured keynote presentations from three highly respected speakers: Dr Peter Graham, University of Minnesota, talked about rhizobiology and ecology; Dr Gary Stacey, University of Missouri, Columbia, spoke about molecular technologies and Dr. Joe Kloepper, Auburn University lectured on Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR).

“With our recent BioStacked™ launch we wanted to discuss this concept with leading scientists to get their views on the key agronomic issues and current cropping uses in their respective states,” said Eda Reinot, director of R&D for Becker Underwood. “This helps us tailor our future BioStacked products to the needs of the marketplace.”

The Forum also included a tour of the recently expanded Becker Underwood inoculant production facility in St. Joseph, Mo.

“We are anxious to establish a new partnership between academic and commercial research in this area,” said Becker Underwood President, Dr Peter Innes. “There is increasing evidence that combinations of biologicals applied as seed treatments can really add value to soybeans and other legumes. We will be making these technical forums a regular occurrence.”

Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, USA, Becker Underwood employs 261 employees globally, with facilities located in Ames, Iowa; Caldwell, Idaho; St. Joseph, Missouri; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Littlehampton, UK; Pinhais, Brazil; Toulouse, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile and Somersby, Australia. Becker Underwood’s diverse line of products is sold in 57 countries. The company’s multiple product categories include: seed inoculants, colorants and coatings for seeds, landscape mulch coatings, golf course specialty chemicals and bio-pesticides.