Bayer Invests $8.1 million in Soybean Advancement in the Midwest

New station in Champaign, Illinois, increases access to industry-leading technology

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Mar 16, 2017, 10:11 ET

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Growers in Illinois and across the Midwest now have the added benefit of a state-of-the-art soybean research facility, increasing accessibility of high quality, locally adapted seeds and raising the bar for yield opportunity.

Credenz soybeans from Bayer continue to build momentum following the success of last season.

Today, Bayer is celebrating the grand opening of the Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Center at the Midwest Field Technology Station (MFTS). The new station will house research and development to identify, develop and test new varieties, using modern breeding methods, pushing the limits of yield potential for growers in the Midwest.

"We're dedicated to delivering the best genetics and technology for growers with the Credenz soybean seed," says Monty Malone, Elite Performance Trials Lead for Bayer. "With this new station, we can continue to research, develop and provide innovative products that address the growing need for smart seed traits to safeguard and strengthen a crop that is increasingly valuable to growers across the globe."

The new expansion is one of three soybean research stations Bayer will open in 2017 and part of a three-year, $1 billion commitment from Bayer to invest in new research facilities, expansions and renovations around the country. The soybean breeding program at the MFTS will develop maturity group (MG) two and three Credenz^® seed, covering production areas in the Eastern Corn Belt. The four-building, 28,000 square foot facility features space to accommodate a large-scale breeding program to develop top performing soybean products across Illinois and the Midwest.

"The time and resources Bayer is putting into this research not only shows our commitment to high-quality, high-yielding products, but also to our growers and the future of agriculture as a whole," says Allen Gent, Bayer Strategic Business Lead for seeds. "This station will bring together significant scientific resources to support the advancement of the agriculture industry."

The expanded presence of Bayer in central Illinois supports the livelihood and profitability of growers who depend on their products and services. While the breeding center will sustain the number one industry in Illinois, it will also benefit the number one resource: the grower.

In the coming years, Bayer plans to expand the Credenz platform by introducing new trait technologies and working collaboratively with industry partners. "Credenz offers an entirely new approach to soybean protection, focused on smart genetics and increased grower choice," Gent says.

To learn more about Credenz soybeans and other innovations from Bayer, visit https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/products/seeds/credenz.

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

©2017 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Credenz are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

SOURCE Bayer