Breeding centre firms up ag-research boom
PARTNERSHIP: Bayer CropScience BioScience operations Australian manager Rob Hall with WorkCo chief executive John Ackland at the gates of Longerenong College. Picture: DEAN LAWSON
By DEAN LAWSON
Plans to establish a multi-million-dollar crop-breeding centre near Horsham have confirmed the start of a new boom in broadacre agricultural research and development in the Wimmera.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Jo Bourke said the news was a profound statement that large international private enterprise was recognising and willing to invest in the opportunities on offer in the region.
She said the $14-million Bayer CropScience wheat and oilseeds breeding centre at Longerenong College, one of seven centres around the world, would act as a powerful link in a growing value-adding socio-economic chain.
“It is a very exciting development. It of course follows news of a new multi-million-dollar national seedbank project at Horsham’s Grains Innovation Park and the projects are sure to work together to have a significant flow-on effect throughout the community,” she said.
Reputation
“It also adds to Longerenong College’s reputation as a college of agricultural excellence and importance,” Mrs Bourke said
“This means we will have many people with high technical and professional qualifications moving between seven international sites including Horsham. In essence we’re actually building our intellectual capacity and cultural diversity through our part of the world.
“All the developments we’re seeing, including everything from the new modern intermodal freight hub at Dooen to community health centres and aerodrome upgrades at Stawell and Horsham are all linked to strengthening, developing and growing what we have here.”
Water security was a catalyst in Bayer CropScience choosing Longerenong for its 30-year project which will provide 20 full-time and many casual jobs and Mrs Bourke agreed the project clearly demonstrated the value of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
- Get the full story in the August 16, 2012 edition of The Weekly Advertiser.
Short URL: http://www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au/?p=10936
Posted on Aug 15 2012
Posted by Weekly Advertiser
on Aug 15 2012. Filed under FEATURED, News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
