July 13, 2007

DuPont to build new soybean research centre in Kansas

DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred seed business said it will open a new soybean research centre in Lawrence, Kansas to cater to customers in the state as well as the southeast Nebraska and western Missouri.

The new research centre will be significant in developing and commercializing new varieties of soybean including creating traits that are tolerant to drought, soybean cyst nematode and other insect and other diseases. The goal is to improve yields for farmers.

Pioneer is currently leasing an office building and land, but plans to build a permanent facility in Lawrence soon. With the opening of the Lawrence Soybean Research Centre, Pioneer will have three crop-specific research locations in Kansas. The other two locations are in Garden City (corn) and Manhattan (sorghum).