Lincoln, Nebraska
May 3,  2001

NC+ Hybrids is in final discussions with Dow AgroSciences LLC, which recently acquired Cargill Hybrid Seeds, to license the rights to the Cargill Hybrid Seeds grain sorghum breeding program. 

Under the proposed agreement, NC+ would be granted rights to utilize the Cargill Hybrid Seeds grain sorghum germplasm. Germplasm is the source material used by plant breeders in developing grain sorghum lines and hybrids.

The proposed agreement would give NC+ access to one of the longest running and most respected breeding programs in the sorghum industry, according to NC+ Hybrids Director of Research Dr. Ted Givens. 

"The Cargill Hybrid Seeds sorghum germplasm is truly a valuable resource," Givens said. "It would give us the rare opportunity to combine the NC+ germplasm with the Cargill germplasm to develop superior and unique hybrid combinations which would not be available otherwise."

If agreement were reached, the license would broaden the scope of the NC+ sorghum research program, already considered one of the top programs in the sorghum industry. Jim Osborne, NC+ Hybrids Sorghum Research Manager since the program's inception in 1971, leads the NC+ Hybrids sorghum program. 

Osborne said a license to utilize the Cargill Hybrid Seeds sorghum germplasm would strengthen NC+ Hybrids' program to develop improved food grade sorghum hybrids.

"Cargill Hybrid Seeds sorghum researchers have been progressive in developing tan-plant, white-seeded food grade sorghum hybrids," Osborne said. "We are anxious to start incorporating the Cargill Hybrid Seeds sorghum materials into our existing food grade program."

Osborne said NC+ would begin utilizing the Cargill Hybrid Seeds sorghum germplasm in the breeding and evaluation programs as soon as possible.

"It is our intention to evaluate and utilize this material for the benefit of the American sorghum farmer," Osborne said. "With the ever-changing demands of the market place, this proposed license provides us with an exciting opportunity to provide novel products for our dealers and customers. 

Farmer-owned for over 40 years, NC+ nationally markets corn, soybeans, sorghum, forage sorghum, sudangass and alfalfa. For more information, contact NC+ at www.nc-plus.com.  

Company news release
N3498