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Alumnus and benefactor Al Hayes has died

Al Hayes, an alumnus who joined Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. in 1948 after graduating with a master's in journalism from Iowa State, died Jan. 12.

Hayes, who also received a bachelor's of science in journalism in 1943 from Iowa State, began his long career at Pioneer as a publications editor and then became a marketing and development executive.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, owned by DuPont and headquartered in Des Moines, produces and markets seed and agricultural products to almost 70 countries.

Hayes helped develop strategic plans and sales in Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana and the West Coast. He retired in 1985 as sales director for Pioneer Seed Co.'s Central Division in Johnston, but continued as a consultant and adviser.

Advisory Council member Chuck Kuster said in an email that Hayes took a leadership role in building what most people regard as the best seed sales network in the industry.

Kuster said Hayes was pivotal in the adoption of weigh wagons to compare hybrids and the development of Pioneer's agronomy services department, among other innovations, including the use of hand-held computers to capture customer profile information.

"Al was a quiet, thoughtful man who was always puffing on his pipe," Kuster recalled. "But when he cleared his throat, the room would suddenly go quiet because everyone wanted to hear Al's perspective."

Advisory Council member Don Muhm, former farm editor for The Des Moines Register, said Hayes was among the leading figures in agriculture, "one of the cadre" who helped develop revolutionary technology.

"My gosh," Muhm said, "now we're getting 181 bushels of corn per acre with yields over 200 bushels being common place. Al Hayes was one of the people associated with that kind of agricultural technology revolution in food production."

To put Hayes' contribution with others of his generation in perspective, in 1948, when he finished his master's studies, average per acre bushel yields were about 50. They have nearly quadrupled.

Visitation was Jan. 17 at First Christian Church, 2500 University Avenue, Des Moines. Services were Jan. 18.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up three memorials in Hayes'name, including one naming the Greenlee School,

Hayes was featured with spouse Carol on page 14 of the 1998 Newsletter. The Hayes are benefactors for the Alva and Carol Hayes Fund for Excellence in Journalism and Communication.

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Last updated: Jan. 18, 2005
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