October 12, 2007

Monsanto to build new seed corn plant in Nebraska

Seed company Monsanto Co. will build a new processing plant and upgrade another in Nebraska, doubling its biotech seed corn production in the state.

The US$155 million expansion includes plans to add 55 full-time jobs and about 2,000 part-time jobs, the company said.

The new plant will be built in York County between Utica and Waco, about 40 miles west of Lincoln.

The facility and upgrades to the company's Kearney facility are expected to be finished by the end of 2009, spokesman Darren Wallis said.

The new, 145-acre plant will include three high-capacity seed dryers and green corn receiving lines and a 180-foot conditioning tower. The plant will be able to package roughly 1,200 bags of seed per hour.