Pioneer Hi-Bred establishes corn research facility in Ohio

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has expanded its research program with a new research team and center located in Plain City, Ohio. This local presence will enable Pioneer researchers to focus their efforts on testing and product development in Ohio and the east-central corn belt.

"This new facility allows us to be closer to our customers and reaffirms our commitment to expanding Pioneer research efforts in this region,” said Randy Minton, Pioneer business director for the Northeast Business Unit (NEBU), which includes Ohio. "It also gives our researchers the opportunity to develop and test products that are specific to this area and allows us to place the right product on the right acre to maximize farmer productivity."

The facility will initially bring together seven researchers working in three project areas. A team managing the current and expanding early-stage research locations in Ohio and two teams responsible for managing over 60 corn and over 40 soybean IMPACT™ plots (Intensively Managed Product Advancement, Characterization and Training), will ensure local testing and product development for Ohio and the eastern corn belt. Additionally, there will be a product development effort based at this facility.

"Management of these research and IMPACT™ testing sites by the local Ohio teams will improve efficiency and drive development and advancement of hybrids performing in the challenging Ohio environment,” said Wendy Srnic, research manager for the NEBU. “In the past, early stage research testing was limited in Ohio. This new station and its research teams are expanding this effort and bringing these programs closer to home."

While the Plain City location is a temporary facility allowing an immediate start-up of the expanded research effort in Ohio, Pioneer is committed to maintaining its research presence in Ohio and is searching for a long-term location in central-western Ohio."