Argentinian headquartered GDM announced today it plans to acquire Indiana-headquartered AgReliant Genetics.
GDM is a global plant genetics company which claims more than ¼ of the world’s soybean production is made with its genetics. Its brands include Mustang Seeds, Revere and Donmario. The footprint of GDM also includes 1.8 million soybean plots every year in 15 countries.
AgReliant was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between global seed companies KWS and Limagrain selling corn, soybean, sorghum and alfalfa seed. Its U.S. brands include AgReliant and LG Seeds. In Canada, its brand is PRIDE. The company claims to have the largest North American temperate corn genetic pools and fourth largest corn research program.
“The GDM and AgReliant teams share a commitment to helping growers get the highest yield for their fields, and we are excited to welcome them into the GDM family,” said Ignacio Bartolomé, chief executive officer (CEO), GDM, in the company’s announcement. “This acquisition is a significant development for both companies and a major milestone in GDM’s growth strategy in North America. It will allow us to serve farmers with an expanded and differentiated high-performance portfolio of solutions and create new opportunities to drive innovation, accelerate business growth and lead both sides of the acres.”
With regulatory approval, this acquisition would make GDM the fourth-largest corn genetics provider worldwide. And the company says Brian Barker, CEO of AgReliant, is expected to become GDM’s North American business leader.
Read this Q&A with Barker from 2024.
“Farmers across North America stand to benefit tremendously from AgReliant joining GDM,” said Barker in the GDM announcement. “Together, we are combining global innovation with local insights to create a more powerful, integrated seed portfolio that delivers greater value to the farmers we serve.”
Philip Chandler will retain his role overseeing the legacy business of GDM in the U.S.
“This is a win-win for our teams and the customers we serve in North America, from individual farmers to independent seed companies,” said Bartolomé. “With this next step in our journey, we are ensuring they can continue to access the world-class genetics, service and long-term partnership they have come to rely on.”
