BAYER KEEPS CROP SCIENCE IN CENTRALIA
Since its arrival in 1997, Bayer’s Centralia location has become a staple in local industry and a leader in the company’s crop sciences division.
According to Site Lead Jared Pfeiffer, the Centralia plant is one of the company’s largest soy manufacturing sites.
“We grow, clean, treat and package soybeans, but we also work heavily with our off-site teams, including planning and our Crop Science Breeding teams,” said Pfeiffer. “This plant typically produces about 3 million units of seed (per year). We have roughly 130 growers and contractors that we work with. This year we have contracted roughly 90,000 acres of soybeans.”
Pfeiffer said the plant’s seed distribution radius is significant, with growers and contractors as far out as the Kentucky state line.
“We go as far north as Taylorville; as far east as Mount Vernon, Indiana; as far west as northern St. Louis; and as far south as the Kentucky border,” explained Pfeiffer, who oversees a staff of just over 40 employees “We’re at 42 employees, between plant operations and field operations.”
Presently in its off-season, the plant runs from the first week of October through the month of March the following year.
Though its corporate headquarters are located overseas in Germany, Bayer’s crop sciences division is based nearby in St. Louis.
Bayer’s North American crop sciences division specializes in the manufacture of canola, cotton, soy and corn. There are approximately 20 Bayer plants throughout the United States.
Bayer is a Community Partner with the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce and is a long-standing sponsor of Balloon Fest. They also provide grant opportunities for schools and educational programs.
Bayer
618-249-8921
3421 U.S. Hwy 51 South Centralia, IL
