Bayer CropScience opens wheat and oilseed breeding centre

Bayer CropScience's $14-million wheat and oilseed breeding centre at Longerenong College will be operational within a year after a sod-turning ceremony.

Bayer CropScience representatives, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh, Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty and Horsham Rural City Mayor David Grimble were on hand to mark the start of construction with gold-coloured shovels.

Cr Grimble said it was a significant day for agriculture and economic development in the city.

He said council contributed $100,000 to build roads at the site, which is one of seven Bayer CropScience centres globally.

"This project is bigger than the Wimmera-Mallee because it is globally linking this site with the other six sites around the world," he said.