Beck Hybrid's announced on July 31 that it has purchased the former DuPont Pioneer seed production facility located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The 62-acre, fully operational site in Henry County will provide Beck's with seed processing capabilities, expanded warehouse space, as well as sales and agronomic support.

IT'S BECK'S NOW: Becks Seed Company announced on July 31 that it has purchased the former DuPont Pioneer production facility at Mt. Pleasant in southeast Iowa.

"We're excited to bring the Beck's culture to Iowa farmers through the acquisition of the Mount Pleasant facility," says Scott Beck, vice president of Beck's Hybrids. "As a family-owned seed company, serving farmers is not only our job, but a passion that drives us each day. The purchase of the Mount Pleasant facility is a reflection of our commitment to Iowa farmers and our dedication to providing them with the best choices in genetics and traits."

Located off U.S. 34, the Mt. Pleasant facility is an ideal location to serve farmer needs throughout the state. The facility features more than 105,000 square feet of warehouses, 500,000 bushels of bulk storage capacity, three double-pass dryers, several offices, and machinery storage. As Beck's continues to grow, employees will be hired to fill needs at the facility.

"We are very pleased to welcome Beck's to Mount Pleasant," says Steve Brimhall, Mayor of the town. "As America's largest family-owned, retail seed company, Beck's commitment to farmers and local communities is a perfect fit for southeast Iowa."

Beck's is expanding its seed business into Iowa
Beck's has been testing and evaluating corn hybrids in Iowa in order to now supply farmers with high yielding products that are designed for their soils. Through their extensive and rigorous selection process, Beck's has produced some new and impressive corn, soybean and wheat products. In addition to the Mt. Pleasant facility, Beck's also has a corn breeding and research facility near Marshalltown, Iowa. In 2014, Beck's is testing about 3,000 hybrids at 11 locations in Iowa.

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"More and more farmers are relying on Beck's for their seed needs," says Sonny Beck, president of Beck's. "As we deepen our roots in Iowa, our dealers and seed advisors are dedicated to providing farmers with localized service. It is just another way that we are continuing our mission to provide our customers with the best in seed quality, field performance and service."

Pioneer shut the Mt. Pleasant plant on May 14
DuPont Pioneer announced the closing of its Mt. Pleasant plant on May 14. The plant had 54 employees. The facility processed and packaged seed from seed corn growers in the region since it was built in 1983. Jane Slusark, a spokeswoman for Pioneer Hi-Bred, said the plant closing was a strategic decision. "Over the past several years, we have added capacity through growing capabilities, capital and process improvement," Slusark said the day when the plant was closed.

"We are closing the Mount Pleasant plant to better use our most modern plants and optimize growing areas. DuPont Pioneer doubled sales from 2008 to 2013, and the ongoing steps we are taking will further position the business for growth." Slusark said Pioneer Hi-Bred has been reviewing its contracts with growers and making decisions whether or not to renew the agreements based on their strategic location to a processing and packaging facility. Kiley Miller, executive vice president of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, said the organization learned this spring that Pioneer Hi-Bred was not renewing contracts with growers in the area surrounding the plant. "We were not given forewarning that the plant would be closing," Miller said. "Pioneer has invested in upgrades to the plant until last year."

About Beck's Hybrids: Beck's Hybrids is a family-owned and operated seed company that serves farmers in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa and Missouri. According to a recent media survey, Beck's ranks as the sixth largest seed company in the United States and the only one in the top six that is family-owned, making Beck's the largest retail, family-owned seed company in the nation. To learn more about Beck's Hybrids visit www.beckshybrids.com. Follow Beck's Hybrids on Twitter, like Beck's Hybrids on Facebook or visit Beck's Blog.