Joining The Businesses
April 29, 2008 A number of agreements have been finalized recently, including those involving J.R. Simplot Co., Wilbur-Ellis Co., and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
- J. R. Simplot Co. and Britz Fertilizers, Inc. have signed a letter of intent for a business venture. Simplot will acquire a majority interest in BFI’s agricultural inputs business in the deal. BFI is a privately-held California inputs retailer and wholesaler which also offers a wide variety of agronomic services including aerial and satellite imagery.
Bill Whitacre, president of Simplot’s AgriBusiness Group, says this intended acquisition follows Simplot’s strategy to expand into key new products, services, and geographies within its core business area. The transaction is expected to be complete by Sept. 1.
- Wilbur-Ellis Co. has completed its purchase of Rolla Fertilizer and Flying Service’s retail agronomy business headquartered in Rolla, ND.
In the joint announcement, Gordon Krech, vice president of Rolla Fertilizer, commented that “we have always strived to be the best service provider of crop protection chemicals, fertilizers, and seed to farming operations in North Central North Dakota. The marketplace is changing and in order to take Rolla Fertilizer and Flying to the next level, we need to align ourselves with a company that has the necessary resources, shares similar values, and possesses a high level of commitment to agriculture.”
The Rolla location will continue as the headquarters for the operations.
- Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, and Asoyia, Inc., have entered into an agreement making Pioneer brand 1 percent ultra low linolenic soybean varieties with the Roundup Ready trait eligible for participation in the Asoyia Identity Preserved soybean program.
Beginning with the 2008 growing season, the program offers premiums above soybean market prices for growers planting Pioneer 1 percent ultra low linolenic soybeans and signing a contract with Asoyia. The initial scope of the program will be in the Cedar Rapids, IA, area with future expansion to other Asoyia market areas. Growers will deliver their harvested soybeans at the Cedar Rapids Cargill processing facility.
The first Pioneer soybean variety to be contracted in the program will be 93Y50 (RR). There will be additional 1 percent ultra low linolenic soybean varieties forthcoming in the Pioneer product pipeline.
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