Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dr. Michael (Mike) Graham currently serves as Head of Research & Development (R&D) for Bayer’s Crop Science division, a position he assumed in early 2025. In this senior leadership role, he is a member of Bayer’s Crop Science Leadership Team and oversees one of the world’s largest plant genetics and breeding programs, managing nearly 2,000 research staff globally. His mandate includes guiding Bayer’s innovation pipeline in crop science, with a strong focus on plant breeding, seed development, and agricultural biotechnology.
Career Timeline and Experience
- Current Role: Head of R&D, Bayer Crop Science (appointed March 2025, effective April 2025)
- Previous Positions at Bayer: Head of Global Plant Breeding for Crop Science; longstanding career since 1996 initially as a plant breeder and progressively advancing into strategic R&D leadership roles within Bayer.
- Prior Experience: Before joining Bayer Crop Science in 2018, Graham accrued 20 years of professional experience at Monsanto, holding various positions centered around agricultural research and seed development.
- Company Tenure: Over 27 years of combined service at Monsanto and Bayer as of 2025.
His broad experience encompasses direct contributions to seed development programs and leadership of projects that delivered Bayer’s advanced products, including notable herbicides such as Icafolin and biotech traits like Preceon Smart Corn.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, University of Minnesota, 1987
- Master of Science in Plant Breeding, University of Minnesota
- Ph.D. in a related agricultural science discipline (exact field not specified, but likely molecular biology or plant breeding, inferred from career focus and historical context)
Achievements and Awards
- Recipient of the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in agricultural leadership.
- Has secured approximately 30 scientific awards and scholarships throughout his career, including accolades from the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), the Weed Science Society of Southern States (WSWS), the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.
- Honored alongside his brother Geoffrey Graham for contributions to agricultural leadership, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
- Active shaper of Bayer’s global innovation strategy, recognized by internal accolades such as the 2025 Crop Science Otto Bayer Medal Awards, celebrating significant scientific contributions aligned with Bayer's mission of "Health for all, Hunger for none."
Geographic and Organizational Base
- Based in St. Louis, Missouri, within Bayer’s Crop Science headquarters.
- Leads a globally dispersed team focused on plant genetics and breeding research.
Professional Focus and Strategic Priorities
- Drives Bayer’s innovation agenda in new seed markets and digital farming platforms, partnering with multiple organizations to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Emphasizes integrating Bayer’s agronomic expertise with cutting-edge digital agriculture technologies.
- Committed to developing novel herbicide classes, with recent leadership involvement in Bayer’s application for registration of new emerged-weed herbicides to expand Bayer’s crop protection portfolio.
Public Presence and Thought Leadership
- Engages publicly through Bayer media channels and professional platforms, discussing the company’s commitment to improving smallholder farmer success and broader agricultural innovation.
- Active on LinkedIn with posts highlighting team accomplishments, recognition of scientific achievements within Bayer, and the strategic advances of the Crop Science division.
Dr. Mike Graham’s deep agricultural science expertise, extensive leadership experience within two of the largest agribusinesses (Monsanto and Bayer), and his current role steering Bayer’s global R&D efforts in Crop Science position him as a pivotal figure in driving innovation in plant breeding and crop protection technologies. His academic grounding combined with prolific recognitions and awards underlines his influence on agricultural research and product development strategy at Bayer AG.
