Today, Beck’s announced it has purchased the former BASF Seed Research Facility on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Built in 2012, the 13,000 square foot facility includes offices, laboratory space, storage and drying for corn breeding nurseries, as well as agricultural equipment needed to grow seed corn and research-focused plant materials.
“We are excited to acquire this state-of-the-art research facility,” says Kevin Cavanaugh, Beck’s director of research. “The southwest side of the island of Kauai provides a perfect environment to grow corn year round, allowing Beck’s to intensify its research efforts and provide farmers with the highest yielding seed products.”
As part of the purchase agreement, Beck’s will assume a license for approximately 1,000 acres of productive land on the island to advance generations of breeding nurseries year round. The land will also be used for parent seed increases and limited hybrid production to quickly deliver Beck’s newest seed innovations to farmers.
“This investment is essential to providing our corn breeders with the tools necessary to develop the next generation of world-class seed genetics for farmers,” explains Scott Beck, president of Beck’s.
Beck’s will immediately begin moving most of its winter research operations to the facility. The Kauai, Hawaii, facility will initially employ seven full-time employees and up to 50 part-time employees at peak operating times.
