Missouri Governor Jay Nixon joined DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred executives for yesterday’s groundbreaking on a $55 million parent and commercial soybean seed production plant in New Madrid County, Mo.
“Missouri’s economic recovery continues to strengthen; and to maintain that momentum, it is vitally important that high-tech, 21st-century companies such as Pioneer Hi-Bred invest in Missouri and create new jobs for our work force,” said Nixon. “Pioneer’s investment in New Madrid County through its new soybean production facility further demonstrates how the strategic use of state tax incentive programs can serve as a powerful tool to help draw quality companies to Missouri, creating solid, high-paying jobs, and moving our economy forward.”
As the first Pioneer seed production facility in Missouri, the new plant will primarily serve soybean growers in more southern geographies in the United States. Pioneer also has a research facility in Miami, Mo., selling corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat seed in the state.
Pictured from left to right are: New Madrid commissioner Clyde Hawes, Pioneer President Paul E. Schickler, Governor Nixon, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, and Alejandro Munoz, Pioneer vice president and regional director, North America. See more photos here.
Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatment has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to 
“Charter F2 combines the benefits of Charter® fungicide seed treatment and AcquireTM fungicide seed treatment for convenience of use and excellent seed safety whether applied on-farm or commercially,” said Chris Exton, Marketing Manager, Seed Treatments for BASF Crop Protection. “Charter F2 is a ready-to-use formulation that controls a broad spectrum of the toughest diseases to help barley and wheat seedlings get a strong start.”
Right now there a number of “species sessions” taking place. With so many people here they’re very well attended. You can choose from dairy, beef, pork, poultry, pets and aqua.
There is some serious business being conducted here at the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. We’re also learning a lot. But it’s not all work. Alltech knows how to throw a party and did so once again at the site of the upcoming 
We heard a fascinating branding story yesterday here at the Alltech Symposium. Joaquin Pelaez is the Senior Vice President for Product Excellence at Yum! Brands, Inc. which owns KFC. He told us how the brand is now the most recognizable one in China. He told us that Chinese consumers love the brand and in general prefer western brands because they are highly trusted.
The former Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown, gave us a lesson in branding today. His philosophy includes statements like, “If everyone is going left, I go right because that’s where the opportunity is,” and “We didn’t know how to do it until we did it.”
Following this morning’s opening general session Alltech held a press conference that included (left-right) Joaquin Pelaez, Yum Brands, China, Dr. Jim Pettigrew, University of Illinois, Dr. Pearse Lyons and Dr. Mark Lyons. It was an open question and answer session and I have made the audio available for you below.
Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons is now on stage after being introduced for the first time ever by his son, Dr. Mark Lyons.
During our opening session here at the Alltech International Animal Health & Nutrition Symposium we just witnessed the presentation of Alltech’s 20th Medal of Excellence Award. Receiving the award is Dr. Jim Pettigrew, Univerity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.