Indianapolis, Indiana
August 8, 2008
Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it is acquiring
Dairyland Seed Co., Inc.,
the West Bend, Wisconsin based business with plant breeding
programs in hybrid corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and Bio-Plant
Research, Camp Point, Illinois, a business affiliated with
Dairyland Seed with a primary focus on licensing of soybean,
alfalfa and wheat germplasm. The addition of Dairyland Seed will
build upon Dow AgroSciences’ current seeds business and will
expand its broad range of product offerings. The closing is
expected later this month. Additional terms of the agreement
were not disclosed.
“Dairyland Seed has a product portfolio and brand that
strengthens our corn, soybean, and alfalfa business in the U.S.
and globally,” said Jerome Peribere, president and CEO, Dow
AgroSciences. “Furthermore, Dairyland Seed’s investment in
research and development compliments our increased investment in
developing industry leading proprietary plant breeding
programs.”
The agreement includes all crop genetics, brands, plant breeding
programs in hybrid corn, soybeans and alfalfa as well as
Dairyland’s research, processing and production locations. Tom
Strachota, currently CEO of Dairyland Seed, will remain with the
business to lead Dairyland Seed as Dow AgroSciences’ general
manager for the business. Chuck Simmons will continue to lead
Bio-Plant Research Ltd. as its General Manager. Dow AgroSciences
will continue to independently market Dairyland Seeds under the
Dairyland brand. Dairyland Seed will continue to be
headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin.
“The seed industry has gone through some dramatic changes in the
last 10 years. And while we’ve been highly successful, our
family owners along with our board felt that in order to grow in
the future and best utilize our world-class genetics, we needed
to align with a leading company in the area of biotechnology,
marker assisted breeding and other emerging technologies,” noted
Tom Strachota, CEO for Dairyland Seed Company. “Our goal was to
find a partner who shared our values, our philosophies and our
commitment to employees and we’ve found that with Dow
AgroSciences.”
This is another step in the Dow AgroSciences strategy to build a
world class Plant Genetics and Biotechnology platform business.
Dairyland is the fifth acquisition, including Agromen, MTI, Duo
Maize, and Triumph Seed, in the last 12 months as Dow
AgroSciences builds a global seeds platform. This combination of
companies will provide a strong regional presence for Dow
AgroSciences to commercialize its HERCULEX® Insect Protection
traits, SmartStax™, and Dow Herbicide Tolerance (DHT)
technologies for the benefit of corn and soybean growers.
Dairyland Seed began its seed business in 1907 and has built
an established dealer network throughout the Upper Midwest with
international sales in more than 20 countries. The business
experienced great success under the leadership of Orville and
Marie Strachota, entering the field of plant breeding in 1977,
with continued growth through sons, John, Steve and Tom and
grandson TJ. Primary research locations are at Clinton, Wis;
Gibson City, Ill.; Otterbein, Ind.; Gilbert, Iowa; and
Sloughhouse, Calif. It has plant breeding programs in hybrid
alfalfa, hybrid corn and soybeans. Dairyland Seed is
headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Located in Camp Point, Illinois, Bio-Plant Research has been
representing alfalfa, soybean and wheat genetics developed by
world-renowned plant breeding programs since its inception in
1986. Bio-Plant serves more than 200 seed company licensee
customers.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a
top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science
and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve
what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides
innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation
management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to
serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow
AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical
Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com
HERCULEX® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and
Pioneer Hi-Bred.
®HERCULEX is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
™SmartStax is a Trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. SmartStax
is being jointly developed and registered by Dow AgroSciences
and Monsanto Company
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