Business/Trade Article
Corporate Report Wisconsin magazine, July 2004 issue, published by Trails Media Group
Seeds of Innovation
Wisconsin's biotech industry augments the revolution in crop science and production
Soybeans resistant to herbicides. Corn that kills attacking insects. Potatoes with fewer calories.
At one time this was the stuff of dreams, but not any longer. Genetically engineered crops produced by biotechnology are changing agriculture in Wisconsin and throughout the world.
"In 2002 there was a $498 million impact associated with biotech crops in the state," says Amy Winters, an industry lobbyist and president of Capitol Strategies LLC. "Currently Wisconsin has more than 50 bioscience companies devoted to agriculture that are providing jobs for more than 20,000 workers — the impact is significant."
One of Wisconsin's leading sites for biotech research is located at Monsanto Co.'s Agracetus campus in Middleton.