The new CEO of Pioneer Hi-Bred says there’s no way we’ll turn away from gene splicing, genetically-modified organisms, and all the advancements in agriculture we see today. He wonders why we’d want to “turn back the clock” and retreat from the hi-tech marketplace, the productivity and security in the food-and-feed system that it offers — and he doesn’t think other farmers in America or around the world are interested in doing that. Dean Oestreich joined Pioneer in 1974 and has worked on the company’s behalf around the world. Now Oestreich He says while he hasn’t been everywhere the company does business, he’s been to most places, worked with many of its people in many functions, and has some basic understanding of the business and how to meet customer needs. Oestreich was promoted to CEO from his position as vice-president for global supply management. He says far from being isolated and rural and boring, Pioneer is a progressive, hi-tech business. He says it’s one of working with great people, and of working to increase productivity, doing more with an acre with fewer inputs year after year — Oestreich says it’s part of making the world a better place. Oestreich cites Iowa State University and the state’s other assets as the reason why we’re a “huge player” in world markets. He says Iowa’s a leader in its wonderful soil and also in engineering, as Oestreich says a lot of the world’s farming technology begins here in Iowa. Oestreich is also a V.P. of Dupont, which bought Pioneer in 1998.
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