Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, today celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Ithaca corn research center last week during an open house for customers and community members.
The celebration took place at the new facility, which provides advanced research capabilities, equipment storage and maintenance facility, along with a more efficient work area for employees.
“Pioneer is committed to finding innovative solutions to improve agriculture productivity. And it is exciting to see that through the advancements made with this new research station, we are paving the way for even greater advancements in the future,” said Paul E. Schickler, president - Pioneer Hi-Bred, who spoke at the event.
Pioneer has been investing in corn research in Michigan since 1986. These investments have allowed the center to increase its yield test plots by 75 percent, continue its efforts to increase seed drying and storage capacity, along with growing its staff. The station employs dedicated research staff year round plus many seasonal workers and conducts research at a number of unique testing locations across the state. Today, scientists at the station focus on delivering high-yielding products through the breeding program that centers on early-maturing hybrids along with improving disease resistance. The station also manages a corn silage program.
“The Ithaca research station has a deep history of research excellence, and it is critical to our long-term success,” said John Soper, vice president of Pioneer Crop Genetics Research and Development, who also spoke at the event. “Our right product, right acre strategy is all inclusive. We are talking about innovation in the lab as well as in the field.”
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries.
Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success™.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.
Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food, building and construction, communications, and transportation.
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