The N.C. Biotechnology Center has created a new position that will oversee an effort to boost the state's agriculture economy over the next 10 years.

Gwyn Riddick will serve as vice president of the Ag/Bio initiative, which aims to expand the state's agriculture economy to $100 billion a year from $70 billion. He currently is director of the biotech center's Piedmont Triad office.

Riddick will work to develop more ties between the state's biotech and agriculture industries, including exploring new commercial opportunities. Riddick was previously a faculty member at N.C. State and joined the biotech center six years ago.

Some of his work will be organizing an advisory committee that will explore ways to use biotech to improve the state's crop, animal and marine resources.

The biotech center is a state-supported nonprofit based in Research Triangle Park run by CEO Norris Tolson.

Bayer CropScience agreed to acquire Athenix, a Research Triangle Park biotechnology company developing developing genetically engineered corn and soybean.

Athenix was founded in 2001 and has about 65 employees. Terms of the deal announced this morning weren't disclosed. More details will likely be announced when the deal wins regulatory approval, probably in the next month.

Prestage Foods in August will lay off 212 workers at its turkey processing plant in Robeson County.

The company will reduce operations to one shift at the 200,000 square-foot facility in St. Pauls, about 80 miles southwest of Raleigh. Prestage blamed industry over supply, reduced demand for turkey breast meat and high ingredient costs for the cuts.

After the layoffs, which will take effect August 31, the company will employ 300 and process about 7 million birds annually.

“We believe this action will position Prestage Foods to be more successful in the future,” according to a statement from the company. “We expect lower costs and improved markets in 2010.”

Sam Talley, a farmer in Siler City, is struggling to make ends meet after Pilgrim's Pride ended two contracts, cutting Talley's poultry income in ... more