Valent U.S.A. Research Facilities Driving Agricultural Innovation

Valent U.S.A. prides itself on being a science-driven company. Across its global network, Valent operates two key research facilities in North America. These centers focus on both future production challenges and real-world agricultural conditions.

Each facility plays a critical role in advancing innovation and supporting product development. Learn more about each location and its capabilities below.

Mid-South Agricultural Research Center (MSARC)

The Mid-South Agricultural Research Center (MSARC) is located in the Mississippi Delta near Leland, Mississippi. In 1984, Valent (then Chevron) purchased 250 acres of farmland near the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center.

“The multi-disciplined research background of employees at MSARC provides a strong base for new challenges,” says Matt Griffin, manager of MSARC. “Research goals and technologies evolve each year to support product development and pipeline needs. As a result, staff remain adaptable and responsive.”

The region’s subtropical climate offers a long growing season. In addition, the diverse soil types support a wide range of crops, including vegetables, rice, cotton, soybeans, corn and wheat.

“Many products expected to reach farms in the next two to five years are being developed at MSARC and MWARC,” Griffin adds. “The quality of research is driven by collaboration across teams and strong support from data managers and leadership.”

The four primary units at MSARC include:

• Field Discovery: Supports herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, plant growth regulator and soil health research across all pipeline stages.
• Compound Characterization Laboratory: Includes labs, growth chambers and greenhouses for year-round plant-level testing with quick turnaround times.
• Seed Pathology Laboratory: Focuses on seed treatment research, including seed viability, product performance and planting equipment impact.
• Sample Distribution Warehouse: Manages product sample distribution, long-term storage and international shipments from Sumitomo Chemical.

Midwest Agricultural Research Center (MWARC)

The Midwest Agricultural Research Center (MWARC) is located near Champaign, Illinois and spans 160 acres. The facility focuses on crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat.

MWARC uses advanced tools, including precision planting, variable rate irrigation, drone technology and greenhouse research. These capabilities allow for detailed and efficient field trials.

Ron Estes, Field Market Development Specialist and MWARC manager, explains that the facility supports both current products and early-stage pipeline research.

“Resistance challenges play a major role in our work,” Estes says. “We evaluate existing chemistries while also developing new solutions. In addition, we focus heavily on sustainability and soil health, which continue to grow in importance.”

Each year, MWARC conducts around 90 research studies. These trials are evenly divided among herbicides, fungicides and insecticide/rhizosphere research.

The facility includes a diverse team of specialists, including a plant pathologist, nematologist, entomologist and weed scientists. Together, they study a wide range of pests and crop conditions.

MWARC also maintains ongoing nurseries for key diseases and pests. These include gray leaf spot in corn, white mold and sudden death syndrome in soybeans, as well as soil pests like corn rootworms and soybean cyst nematodes.

In addition, soil-focused research is a major priority. About 58% of trials involve soil-applied chemistries. Furthermore, 20% of the acreage supports a long-term soil health study in collaboration with Valent BioSciences.

This research evaluates soil health, crop rotations and tillage practices, along with products such as MycoApply®.

Advancing Innovation Through Research

Facilities like MSARC and MWARC provide Valent with flexibility and speed in product development. Researchers can test early-stage compounds, often available in small quantities, and respond quickly to in-season challenges.

“We can conduct research on demand,” Estes explains. “If issues arise in the field, we can troubleshoot immediately.”

Looking ahead, these facilities play a key role in Valent’s future. “We are working with many pipeline molecules,” Estes says. “These innovations will provide real solutions for growers in the years to come.”