At Monsanto, Dykes was responsible for developing and implementing government relations strategies that included agricultural biotechnology policy.
The International Dairy Foods Association said today that Michael D. Dykes, the vice president of government affairs for Monsanto and a doctor of veterinary medicine will replace Connie Tipton as president and CEO. Dykes will work in transition with Tipton beginning in October and will assume the CEO role in January 2017.
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.