WEST FARGO, N.D. — Monsanto Co. on April 1 broke ground on the company’s Asgrow soybean seed production facility in West Fargo. The facility is in the process of being converted from a sunflower seed production plant, which became unnecessary following the sale of Monsanto’s sunflower business to Syngenta in August 2009.

“This site expansion is a critical part of our strategic direction as a seeds-and-traits business, but the real winners here are the farmers, the community and the state of North Dakota,” said Mark Martino, vice-president of seeds and traits manufacturing at Monsanto. “It’s an investment that enables farmers to have more choices of Asgrow Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean seeds. In addition, it will mean millions of dollars in capital upgrades at the site and new jobs for the community.”