Beck's purchases former BASF seed research facility in Kauai, Hawaii

Beck's, the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the United States, announced today the purchase of the former BASF Seed Research Facility on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Built in 2012, the 13,000 square foot facility includes offices, laboratory space, storage and drying for corn breeding nurseries, as well as agricultural equipment needed to grow seed corn and research-focused plant materials.

"We are excited to acquire this state-of-the-art research facility," said Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh, director of research at Beck's. "The southwest side of the island of Kauai provides a perfect environment to grow corn year round, allowing Beck's to intensify its research efforts and provide farmers with the highest yielding seed products."

As part of the purchase agreement, Beck's will assume a license for approximately 1,000 acres of productive land on the island to advance generations of breeding nurseries year round. The land will also be used for parent seed increases and limited hybrid production to quickly deliver Beck's newest seed innovations to farmers.

"The Beck family is focused on helping farmers succeed by increasing corn yields," explained Scott Beck, president of Beck's. "This investment is essential to providing our corn breeders with the tools necessary to develop the next generation of world-class seed genetics for farmers."

Beck's will immediately begin moving most of its winter research operations to the facility. The Kauai, Hawaii facility will initially employ seven full-time employees and up to fifty part-time employees at peak operating times.