November 29, 2006

 

Monsanto breaks ground on new soy facility in South Dakota

 

 

US-based Monsanto Co. broke ground for its US$2-million soy breeding facility in Harrisburg, South Dakota.

 

The St. Louis-based company is a biotechnology giant with centres worldwide.

 

The new facility would work with soy farmers across the state to breed soy varieties that produce higher yields for local growers.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with the dedication of the adjacent corn breeding facility that opened on Jun 30. this year.

 

South Dakota farmers have been leading adopters of biotech-improved soybeans, pointed out Mike Hawbaker, Monsanto North America soybean breeding lead. The new facility further supports their adoption and growth in acreage during the past decade, he said.

 

The 17,500-square-foot site would complement its current corn research facility in the Harrisburg Industrial Park.

 

South Dakota governor Mike Rounds said that Monsanto's plans, coming so soon after the opening of its corn breeding facility, had positive implications for the state's bio-tech and agricultural industries.

 

He said he was also looking forward to similar projects by Monsanto.

 

Though the Harrisburg centre would house equipment and facilities for research, local growers would also be involved in the testing process. Hawbaker said the company would lease acreage from local growers near Harrisburg and throughout the state to test new varieties.

 

This pair of new facilities in Harrisburg bolsters the farmers' commitment who have been working to meet the world's growing food requirements, and for consumers who desire wholesome, plentiful food and a healthy environment, pointed out Ted Crosbie, Monsanto vice president of global breeding.