Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, today announced plans to open a new Research Center in eastern South Dakota to help deliver the results of its global research effort to farmers in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. 

The Research Center will open this spring in Brookings, expanding the development of new corn inbreds and commercial hybrids for farmers.  This Center represents an increase in investment in product development for this area.

"Pioneer has a very robust research pipeline," said Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development.  "This new research center will help us make the most of that pipeline for customers in this area.

"Our corn research teams will be working more closely with area farmers and will have more eyes in the fields making better product advancement decisions," he continued.

The new Pioneer Research Center will play a vital role in developing and commercializing new technologies like Pioneer(R) brand corn hybrids with Herculex(R) XTRA insect protection traits.  The traits protect corn from European corn borer and corn rootworm, both significant pests in the region.

"We are expanding our investment in our trait discovery research program to identify the next generation traits that will change the way our customers do business," said Niebur.  "Our corn breeding program is focused on rapidly integrating those traits and technologies our customers need and want into the best corn germplasm available in the industry."  

The South Dakota Research Center staff will initially include six full-time employees and several interns.

Gary Weber, research coordinator for Maize Product Development, will relocate to the South Dakota Research Center.  Weber leads corn development programs at Research Centers in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Canada.

Two key scientists will also transfer to South Dakota to coordinate the opening of the center and lead efforts to effectively test, evaluate and position new hybrids.

Jan Jackson, a research scientist with Pioneer for eight years, will lead hybrid testing and evaluation decisions and will also coordinate the transfer of hybrid performance information to customers.  The move is a homecoming for Jackson, who is a graduate of South Dakota State University and worked for the USDA/ARS Northern Grain Insects Research Lab in Brookings.

Jay Hotchkiss will be responsible for inbred discovery and hybrid creation.  Hotchkiss received his Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin and joined Pioneer in 2000.  He previously served as a research scientist for Pioneer in North Platte, Neb., and Mankato, Minn.

"Both scientists are well-positioned to identify short-term product advancement opportunities for early corn products and lay the groundwork for long-term improvements in product performance in early maize markets," said Niebur.

In addition, Roy Luedtke, research director for early maturity corn research, will relocate to the Mankato Research Center in Minnesota.  Luedtke provides management and scientific leadership to the early maturity markets in North America, including the South Dakota program.

Pioneer first conducted research in South Dakota in 1968 to provide breeding for drought and stress environments, and has maintained continuous yield testing in the state for the past 38 years.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors.  With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries.  DuPont is a science company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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Herculex(R) XTRA Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. 
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