New independent seed network, focused on elite, high-value products
Funk Agriculture LLC announces the formation of the Republic Regional Seed Network.
Republic Regional Seed Network is led by Dan Funk, son of legendary seedsman Don Funk. First Dan Funk acquired Midwest Seed Genetics and NC+ from his family in 2023, and now further investments and acquisitions form Republic.
“My family has been in the seed business for 90 years,” says Funk. “I’m honored to now be the fourth generation committed to the mission of serving the independent American farmer.”
Regionally, Republic comprises NC+ in the West, Midwest Seed Genetics in the Central and Upper Corn Belt, and Crow’s in the East.
Brad Schwartz, Republic’s Head of Sales & Business Development shares, “The seed industry is at an inflection point. The main question is, are companies agile enough to meet the needs of next-generation farmers with tightening industry cost structures? It’s no longer who can just offer the right seed to the right acre, but also who can deliver the right model to the right acre.”
Precision Build makes acquisition to strengthen construction portfolio
Precision Build has acquired Tampa Steel Erecting Company (TSEC), a steel fabricator best known for building complex bridges and iconic structures such as the Disney Epcot Spaceship Earth geodesic dome.
TSEC, a private company, has been owned by Bob Clark and his family since its founding in 1945. Going forward, TSEC will be wholly owned by Precision Build. T “We’re thrilled that Bob Clark and the extended TSEC family have agreed to join the Precision Build family,” said David Hemming, Precision Build Companies CEO. “Together we can work to significantly grow the business. This is very much a strategic acquisition for us and we look forward to growing together.” The current TSEC location, just six miles away from
Precision Build’s headquarters in Gibsonton, FL, encompasses 33 acres and boasts more than 220,000 sq. ft. of fabrication buildings. The facility will immediately become part of Precision Build and the entire organization will fall under the direction of Corey Yraguen, President & CEO of Precision Build Solutions.
Sygenta and Agrauxine by Lesaffre form white label distribution deal
Syngenta Crop Protection has signed an agreement with Agrauxine by Lesaffre to private label and exclusively distribute Syngenta’s products STROVEQ and SPREXIMA.
STROVEQ is a systemic resistance inducer and SPREXIMA, is a biofungicide. These products will be sold and distributed in the ornamental market in the US.
Both STROVEQ and SPREXIMA use Agrauxine’s unique strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. STROVEQ is a systemic resistance Inducer (SRI) that acts preventively to prepare plants to defend against fungal attacks. SPREXIMA prevents disease infections by protecting fruits, flowers and wounds.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Syngenta” states Ariel Gohlke, North American Regional Manager for Agrauxine. “This agreement is another opportunity to expand the reach of our technology. Syngenta will be an excellent partner for us to reach more markets with our unique products.”
The agreement states that Syngenta shall have the right to sell the products at its discretion and is authorized to distribute through its own distribution channels in the US. The initial term of the agreement is 5 years.
