Bayer opens innovation center at Iowa State to innovate seed production across U.S.

Bayer has opened a new Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center at Iowa State University Research Park, expanding its collaboration with Iowa State University to advance digital agriculture and seed production technologies. The facility is designed to enhance Bayer’s seed quality and operational efficiency while supporting farmers through improved production systems.

The investment places Bayer teams alongside university researchers, students, and industry partners, with a focus on accelerating applied innovation and strengthening workforce development. The center is expected to create opportunities for student recruitment, hands-on training, and farmer education, while fostering closer ties between academia and industry. Iowa State President David Cook said the partnership reflects a model for driving innovation and economic impact by combining research expertise with industry capabilities.

Located near the university’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab, the new center will support collaboration in precision agriculture, automation, and data analytics. Bayer said the facility will host workshops, producer education programs, and joint research initiatives to deliver practical solutions aligned with its seed production priorities. According to Amanuel Ghebretinsae, the center will help accelerate the development of technologies to improve seed production while developing the next generation of agricultural talent.