On July 16, Monsanto opened its new Wheat Technology Center in Filer, Idaho, which will serve as the company’s core U.S. wheat breeding research and development facility.
Monsanto’s wheat program breeds and commercializes varieties in the major classes of wheat and has a network of hundreds of seed suppliers. In addition to a broad presence with its licensed WestBred Wheat brand in the West, Monsanto also licenses varieties to seed companies in the eastern United States.
Kristin Schneider, Monsanto global wheat breeding lead, says increasing breeding efficiency will help bring wheat varieties to market with potential for increased genetic gain.
The Wheat Technology Center expansion includes a facility for wheat seed cleaning, trial preparation and seed storage, as well as two new greenhouse facilities with an additional 14,000 square feet of growing space and enhanced laboratory space. The expansion adds 17 full-time employees and more than 20 contract seasonal positions at the Filer site, making it the company’s second-largest in the state. Monsanto has approximately 1,000 full-time employees in Idaho.
