The new Bayer CropScience $80 million dollar integrated research and development facility is a great marriage between the company’s biologics and vegetable seeds businesses.
The courtship started when Bayer acquired AgraQuest in 2012 and Mike Millie was part of that acquisition. “Started with AgraQuest back in 2004,” said Millie. When Bayer came in, “at that point we were already out of space at our (UC) Davis facility,” he said. “We recognized right away that we wanted to find a location that would work for both the biologics team as well as vegetable seeds.”
He was pleased they were able to get the new facility done so quickly to get the scientists moved in and “still have room for growth.” Interview with Mike Millie, Bayer CropScience biologics
Vegetable seeds site manager for Bayer Roger Muren says they moved to California from Oregon five years ago. “The reason we came here was to be close to UC Davis,” he said. “We work very closely with them to bring technologies into our programs for varietal development.”
Muren says the commitment by Bayer to this new facility demonstrates its support of specialty crop market. “When you have a worldwide company, it’s hard to make it tangible sometimes,” said Muren. He adds that sharing the facility with the biologics allows the vegetable seeds group to share ideas and technology providing synergy between the two businesses and helping them work toward mutual goals of crop protection. “We’re really thrilled to be here.” Interview with Roger Muren, Bayer CropScience vegetable seeds