Bayer CropScience Opens New Cotton Research Greenhouse in Memphis

Bayer CropScience opened its newest cotton research facility, a $17 million, 76,000-square foot state-of-the-art greenhouse and headhouse addition to its existing Memphis, TN site.

The greenhouse, located at Agricenter International, is part of Bayer’s five year, multi-billion dollar investment in research and development and Capital Expenditures. It will serve as a company hub for developing cotton and soybean solutions for the U.S. and international markets.

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“Driving innovation requires giving our scientists world-class facilities and tools,” said Mike Gilbert, head of Global Breeding and Trait Development for Bayer CropScience. “This greenhouse is unique in its scale and global scope, and will help Bayer CropScience better serve growers by giving them more choices for improving their crop quality and yield.

“We are excited that Memphis continues to grow as a global leader in agriculture, and that our relationship with Agricenter International – the world’s largest urban farm and research test facility – has allowed us to continue our efforts in agriculture and bioscience solution development.”

The new greenhouse, which includes a spacious headhouse and open office area, will accommodate research to increase the number of traits available for cotton varieties in the United States and international markets. The Memphis site supports all of the company’s cotton brands – including Stoneville and FiberMax – plus soybean breeding and management, molecular breeding and management, and stewardship management.

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The site’s North American cotton trait introgression work also supports Bayer CropScience’s cotton seed business development in South America and Africa.

“As a valued partner in promoting the livelihood and success of our growers, we are invested in growth and innovation across the country to develop new products and solutions, including those for cotton seed,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “Our new Memphis facility is part of a commitment to the greater Memphis area, and it is from this base that we seek to continue our local economic impact as well as thought leadership on global agriculture and bioscience issues.”

In support of company-wide environmentally compatible practices, the Memphis greenhouse was designed with sustainability in mind. The automation incorporated into the facility’s design provides the greenhouse with a reduced carbon footprint, which means less materials used in construction and an approximate 40 percent reduction annually in natural gas and electricity consumption. Additionally, the facility includes sensor detecting light fixtures, high efficiency greenhouse lights with longer-lasting ballasts, and recycled greenhouse water to irrigate seedlings.

Memphis is the latest Bayer CropScience location to open a new greenhouse. In 2012, the $20 million, 60,000-square foot Greenhouse 5 facility opened at the company’s North American and global Seeds headquarters in Research Triangle Park, NC. Groundbreaking for Greenhouse 1 – a 29,500-square foot facility on the North Carolina campus – will take place September 8, and is scheduled to open next year.

 

Source – Bayer CropScience

 

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