Monsanto is building a new soybean breeding facility in South Dakota. They broke ground just this week in fact.
The site will develop and test new soybean varieties developed by Monsanto’s breeders, as well as varieties containing traits in various stages of pre-commercial advancement in the company’s product pipeline. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with the dedication of the adjacent corn breeding facility that opened June 30, 2006. “Farmers in the Dakotas have been leading adopters of biotech-improved soybeans,” said Mike Hawbaker, Monsanto North America soybean breeding lead. “This new facility further supports their adoption and growth in acreage during the past decade. Harrisburg is an ideal location, and we look forward to serving our customers with this new facility.”
The 17,500-square-foot site will have an initial permanent staff of two and a seasonal staff of up to 10 part-time employees. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds said that Monsanto’s plans in this area — coming so soon after the opening of its corn breeding facility — has positive implications for the state’s bio-tech and agricultural industries.
From left to right: Jay Van Den Top and Craig Hagen (both representing Harrisburg Industrial Park); Clint Turnbull (Monsanto); Senator John Thune; Mike Hawbaker and Brian Ternus (both of Monsanto); Jon Klemme and Jeff Eckhoff (both representing Lincoln County Economic Development Association); South Dakota Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard; Harrisburg Mayor Reed Ramsted, and Rob Everist (representing Harrisburg Industrial Park).