Monsanto buys WestBred
for $45 million, for wheat
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana-based research and development company for cereal grains. WestBred LLC, has been acquired by Monsanto, the world’s biggest provider of seeds.

Monsanto announced July 14 it was reentering the wheat market with the $45 million purchase of WestBred. Privately held WestBred, with offices in Butte, Bozeman and and Great Falls, specializes in wheat germplasm, the genetic material of a seed.

St. Louis-based Monsanto says the investment will bolster the future growth of Monsanto’s seeds and traits platform and allow farmers to benefit from the company’s experience in drought-, disease- and pest-tolerance innovations.

Dow AgroSciences acquiring Pfister Hybrids in Illinois
INDIANAPOLIS, Ill. — Dow AgroSciences LLC announced it is acquiring the majority of assets of Illinois-based corn company Pfister Hybrids.

The addition of Pfister will further expand Dow’s current U.S. seeds business as the company anticipates the introduction of SmartStax in 2010 and Dow AgroSciences Herbicide Tolerance (DHT) technology in corn in 2012. The transactional close is expected in the near future.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dow AgroSciences will acquire the Pfister brand and the sales and marketing areas, as well as the warehousing and administrative services of the business. Dow will continue to independently market seeds under the Pfister Seeds brand, and Pfister will continue to be headquartered at its existing location in El Paso, Ill.

Linda Brown, president for Pfister, will remain with Pfister Seeds LLC as general manager. Dale Brown will continue with Pfister as the business and brand development lead, and Bill Salmi will remain as the company controller.

Lester Pfister founded Pfister Hybrid Corn Co. more than 70 years ago and was one of the first seedsmen in the country. He was recognized as “Outstanding Corn Breeder of the World” by the Museum of Science and Industry and by 1940, 44 states and 30 countries were planting Pfister corn.

POET, Perdue AgriBusiness form partnership

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Perdue AgriBusiness and POET announced the formation of a new partnership to promote and represent POET’s Dakota Gold BPX premium distillers grains product line in domestic and international feed markets.

The partnership will advance POET Nutrition’s eastern U.S. and international market growth. Perdue AgriBusiness will be POET’s sales agent in the Mid-Atlantic region and one of its representatives in international markets. Perdue will handle POET’s domestic sales through its extensive agricultural network and execute international sales through its export terminal in Virginia.

POET’s exclusive BPX technology, which eliminates the “cooking” process from ethanol production, provides a unique, high quality DDGS (Dakota Gold BPX). Dakota Gold BPX is preferred around the world due to the high, consistent quality and flowability of the product.

Agriculture seminar planned for Iowans on July 28

URBANDALE, Iowa — Producers across northeastern Iowa are invited to attend a seminar entitled “Being Prepared for the Changing World of Agriculture” on July 28. The event will take place 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Dairy Center at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar.

 The morning speaker will be Iowa State University’s Dr. Gene Takle, who will talk about the “Effect of Climate Change on Midwest Agriculture.”  He’ll cover current and upcoming legislation, discussing how it will affect agriculture and he will answer questions about climate change and cap and trade.

The afternoon speaker will be John Phipps from the television show “U.S. Farm Report.” His topic will be “Must Have Power Tools for 2009.” The presentation will cover skills and abilities that enable leading producers to stay ahead of the competition and allow them to enjoy their lives.

This event is free to the public and a free lunch will be served. RSVP to Val Plagge at the Iowa Soybean Assoc. by e-mail at vplagge@iasoybeans.com or call 515-669-9182.