Release: David Bigger to join Missouri Soybean, Bring New Varieties to Farmers

(Jefferson City, Mo.) – The Missouri Soybean Association today announced that David Bigger will join the team as the director of licensing. In this new role, Bigger will work on licensing and commercialization efforts to bring soybean trait technologies developed through Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and soybean checkoff research to growers in Missouri and throughout the Midwest and Mid-South.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to work with the Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council,” Bigger said. “I look forward to using my experience gained in the soybean seed industry to help market and promote these new trait technologies for soybeans, and to benefit the Missouri farmer.”

His first day will be November 1.

As the licensing director, Bigger will lead efforts to take soybean trait technologies developed in checkoff-funded research through the commercialization process, making them available to farmers in Missouri and the Midwest, as well as nationally and internationally. He will be responsible for market analysis and planning, while also overseeing the licensing process for soybean varieties with specialized traits, including but not limited to conventional varieties with high oleic acid content and disease resistance.

“We’re continuing to build the team representing our farmers, developing opportunities for Missouri soybeans and furthering the mission of improving growers’ bottom line,” said Gary Wheeler, executive director/CEO. “David brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, as well as strong relationships throughout the seed industry. Missouri’s soybean growers will benefit from having him as their representative to bring Missouri’s germplasm into the varieties available in the marketplace.”

During a more than 20-year career in soybean research and seed production, Bigger has focused on soybean genetics and licensing for key players, including Bayer CropScience, Worldwide Soytechnologies, LLC, Hornbeck Seed Company, Erwin-Keith, Inc., and Wilbur-Ellis Company. Most recently, he has represented South American company GDM, Inc., establishing their U.S. soybean licensing business.

Bigger also serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Seed Dealers Association, and is a past chairman of the American Seed Trade Association’s Soybean Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Mississippi State University and is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and Chicago Board of Trade training programs, as well as a 2014 graduate of the Bayer Leadership Academy.

The Missouri Soybean Association is a statewide membership organization designed to increase the profitability of Missouri soybean farmers through advocacy and education efforts across the state. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers though a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts through the soybean checkoff. To learn more, visit Missouri Soybean online at mosoy.org.