NDSU forms partnership with Monsanto to develop better wheat varieties

North Dakota State University (NDSU) and Monsanto announced a collaboration that will allow both to improve their wheat breeding programs. The collaboration brings together the breeding research of Monsanto and NDSU to develop better wheat varieties.

"We are pleased and excited about this opportunity to accelerate our hard red spring wheat breeding program with this research partnership," said Ken Grafton, NDSU vice president for Agricultural Affairs; director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. "Having our wheat improvement team utilize Monsanto's advanced breeding technology tools is an important step in allowing the NDSU program to remain successful well into the future. And joint research projects to develop new breeding and genetic tools will improve the breeding efficiencies of our programs, with the ultimate goal of providing the best genetic material to the North Dakota wheat grower."

"We are committed to delivering improvements in wheat through advancements in breeding and are pleased to be working with a public university that shares our commitment to enhancing the productivity of wheat," added Anthony Osborne, Monsanto wheat business development lead. "Monsanto has a strong history of collaborating with universities and public sector institutions around the world, and we believe growers will continue to benefit from collaborations that bring together complementary wheat research programs."

This relationship is consistent with the National Association of Wheat Growers' call for investment in wheat, and during a time when interest and support for new technologies in wheat remains high.

"Wheat producers always have sought new technologies to enhance their competitive advantage and move the industry forward," said Neal Fisher, North Dakota Wheat Commission administrator. "This public/private relationship builds on the longstanding producer partnership with NDSU, offering technological advancements to improve the competitiveness of wheat in all sectors, including greater producer profitability, continued emphasis on quality and premium end- use performance, and ensuring the wheat industry's role as a leading contributor to the economy of North Dakota."