Volga, South Dakota
April, 2008
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont
business, today announced plans to build a permanent research
center here. The new site represents a $3.5 million investment
in a state-of-the-art facility, equipment and professional staff
to develop and deliver exceptional hybrids for farmers in South
Dakota, western Minnesota and northwest Iowa.
The new research center will open this fall and support a major
expansion in Pioneer efforts to develop corn hybrids for the
northwestern Corn Belt.
"This permanent site represents our commitment to develop
high-yielding hybrids perfectly suited for area growers," said
William S. Niebur, DuPont vice president, Crop Genetics Research
and Development.
The South Dakota research team has been working out of temporary
facilities in Brookings, S.D., since the spring of 2006. By the
fall of 2008, corn breeding programs will have doubled and
hybrid testing programs will have more than tripled with field
testing sites throughout east-central South Dakota and western
Minnesota.
"We've had remarkable growth the past two years in Brookings,
allowing us to make this long-term commitment to product
development for this area," Niebur said.
Pioneer is focused on rapidly integrating the traits and
technologies its customers need and want into the best
germplasm. The new Research Center will play a vital role in
developing the best germplasm for this region and
commercializing new technologies like Pioneer® brand corn
hybrids with Herculex® XTRA Insect Protection, the Optimum® GAT®
trait and Optimum® AcreMax™ 1 products.
The center's research teams also will be expanding their testing
of next-generation weed and insect control, drought tolerance
and nitrogen use efficiency traits. And, with more than half of
the corn produced in South Dakota grown for ethanol production,
Pioneer plans to expand its ethanol evaluation plots to enhance
its line-up of hybrids that produce more ethanol per acre.
The South Dakota research center employs nine full-time research
and administrative staff and several interns. More than 60 local
high school and college students will also be employed to assist
with summer research activities. The new center will also serve
as an area training facility for the Pioneer South Dakota sales
team.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, 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
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation. |
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