George Shull (1874-1954) planted experimental maize in CSH and by 1908 reported a 20% higher yield, or "hybrid vigor." His breeding methods were first applied to the commercial production of hybrid seeds by Henry D. Wallace, founder of the Pioneer Seed Company. Founded by Wallace in 1926, Pioneer was then called the Hi-Bred Corn Company. To expand the farming aspects of the CSHL maize research program, an agreement was signed in August of 1985 with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which provided $2.5 million to this cause.
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