Ames, Iowa
April 5, 2005
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. |