Field R&D Manager, Trécé Inc.
Higbee is Field R&D Manager for Trécé Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in insect pheromone and kairomone products. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine, he began his career as a technician with the USDA-ARS in Yakima, WA. Over nearly 40 years, his work has included the development of biological control programs for pests of pears, insect predator rearing techniques, pioneering efforts in the use of insect hormones for the control of a key homopteran pest of pears in the Pacific Northwest, and managing two Codling Moth Areawide Projects pivotal in the integration of mating disruption into the pest management programs in the apple and pear industries. In 2002, he established a research laboratory for Paramount Farming Co. (now Wonderful Orchards). His work there included research leading to the implementation of mating disruption for control of navel orangeworm, development of attractants for pests, along with the overall development of pest management tactics and programs for pests in almonds, pistachios, and pomegranates. He has published more than 60 research articles in peer reviewed scientific journals and three book chapters, and has served on numerous industry and professional committees.
Trécé Incorporated located in Adair, Oklahoma develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of insect monitoring and control systems based on semiochemicals, such as pheromones and kairomones. Product lines include the storied PHEROCON® line for growing agriculture, introduced in 1971 by ZOECON Corporation; the STORGARD® product line for monitoring stored product insects and an OEM line for the lawn and garden market. Trece has also developed and registered the CIDETRAK® product line for control of insects in many countries around the world.
Trécé synthesizes over 100 difficult to make compounds for the global monitoring market, conducts a research program focused on chemical synthesis, process development, solid and liquid formulation development and field development of both insect monitoring and control systems working singularly or with cooperators around the world.
Trécé headquarters, laboratories and monitoring systems manufacturing plant are located near Adair, Oklahoma, while another plant focused on manufacturing of insect control products is located nearby at Chelsea, Oklahoma.
