Monsanto’s New Corn Breeding Facility To Benefit Farmers

Posted by Matt Hopkins|18 January 2011

FLORA, MISS., United States — Monsanto Company’s newest corn breeding operation will study the latest breeding techniques and focus on developing higher-yielding corn hybrids while protecting against disease and other environmental stresses for Southern US farmers, according to the company.

“There’s been growth in corn acres in the Delta region, and with that there is a need for improved corn products tailored to this area of the country,” said Ted Crosbie, Ph.D, Monsanto global breeding lead in a prepared statement. “This new station allows Monsanto to develop and grow crops on the same soil as our customers and offer farmers even more seed choices than before.”

The 26,000 square-feet facility is centrally located to conduct research at yield trial locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas. The Flora, Miss. corn breeding station complements Monsanto’s global breeding program and joins a network of more than 50 corn breeding stations located around the world, according to the company.