Dow AgroSciences buys Hyland Seeds

Monday, November 23, 2009

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Privately owned Hyland Seeds’ acquisition by Dow AgroSciences Canada, announced today, is yet another sign that stacked, genetically modified technologies in corn is seen as the way of the future.

The acquisition by Dow AgroSciences brings Hyland Seeds “into the inner circle” of  biotechnology, and guarantees Hyland’s access to biotech going forward, says John Cowan, general manager of Hyland Seeds, currently a division of Thompsons Ltd. in Blenheim.

The acquisition, which takes effect soon, will allow Hyland to grow and compete and continue to be a highly successful part of the marketplace,” says Jim Wispinski, Dow AgroSciences Canada president and CEO.

Smartstax technology introduces eight traits to corn to provide herbicide and insect tolerance. It was developed jointly by Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto and is licensed to a number of seed breeding companies.

Hyland will also have access to Dow AgroScience’s Herbicide Tolerant Trait Technology, designed to address concerns about glyphosate resistance. Wispinski says seeds are close to being submitted to registration and will be commercialized between 2012 and 2015. Both corn and soybean varieties will be tolerant to 2,4-D in combination with glyphosate and also the Aryloxyphenoxy propionate (FOP) family of herbicides used for grass control in various crops.

Cowan says Hyland Seeds will continue breeding programs in corn in Blenheim as well as soybeans in Blenheim and in Grand Forks North Dakota.

Winter and spring cereal breeding programs will continue in Ontario. BF