RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. —Bayer CropScience plans to develop a new North American wheat breeding station and has entered into an agreement to lease and option to purchase 400 acres of land near Goehner, Neb. The company said the site will become the focal point for Bayer CropScience’s wheat breeding program in North America.

“Bayer is excited about establishing this new breeding station, and we’re looking forward to working with local experts, farmers and organizations in the Goehner community,” said Edward Souza, global wheat breeding manager for Bayer CropScience. “We expect that the work done at this site will result in exciting advances in wheat productivity and sustainability that will benefit famers in this region and ultimately the grain trade worldwide.”

Bayer signed a non-exclusive agreement with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010 under which the two groups agreed to improve wheat breeding and generate new wheat varieties. Since then Bayer CropScience has worked to identify a suitable site in Nebraska to establish its North American regional wheat breeding station.