Monsanto creating new Wheat Technology Center in Idaho

Monsanto will create a new Wheat Technology Center in the Twin Falls area dedicated to supporting the development of best-in-class wheat varieties to help farmers increase their productivity.

"Monsanto's continued commitment to wheat is front and center in southcentral Idaho," said Idaho Wheat Commission Commissioner Bill Flory. "It's a major commitment on the part of Monsanto. Wheat is their new frontier."

The facility will serve as Monsanto's core wheat breeding research and development facility and the company plans to have 24 research positions housed there.

IWC commissioners were notified of the plan June 3 and responded favorably.

"That sounds really good. That's a great opportunity for Idaho," said IWC commissioner Gordon Gallup.

"It's wonderful news for Idaho. It shows an investment in the state's wheat industry by one of the largest agricultural companies in the world," said IWC Executive Director Blaine Jacobson.

But the announcement was also welcomed by the wheat industry outside of Idaho because it signals a major commitment by Monsanto to research and develop improved wheat varieties.

In a letter to Idaho wheat commissioners announcing the plan, a top company official said wheat is a "compelling opportunity for Monsanto to apply our technology expertise in a global crop that can benefit from innovation."

"The opportunity to expand our testing network will enhance our ability to bring the best wheat varieties to farmers in Idaho and around the world," states the letter from Trent Clark, Monsanto's public and government affairs director.

Monsanto has wheat breeding efforts in various regions throughout the United States and will relocate all of them to the new facility, said Monsanto Wheat Breeding Lead Kristin Schneider.

Monsanto officials also announced the company will establish wheat regional breeding testing sites in key locations around the country. Schneider said specific locations are currently being evaluated.

"Wheat is a global crop that's hungry for innovation," Schneider said. "The opportunity to centralize our wheat breeding efforts, add additional capabilities and positions and expand our breeding testing network will enhance our ability to bring the best wheat varieties to farmers."

Monsanto's plans came as welcome news to the industry, said Steve Mercer, director of communications for U.S. Wheat Associates.

"We're encouraged by this," he said.

The new technology center will be co-located at Monsanto's current vegetable research facility in Filer.

"Twin Falls is located in a mild, irrigated, high-yielding environment, which is an ideal location to house our core wheat breeding efforts," Schneider said.