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ExSeed Genetics and Thurston Genetics announce 1999 NutriDense licensees

Owensboro, Kentucky
July 9, 1999

More than 30 seed companies have signed commercial agreements to license the ExSeed Enhanced(TM) trait NutriDense(TM), officials at ExSeed Genetics L.L.C. and Thurston Genetics announced today.

Seed companies that have signed commercial agreements are:

Adler's Seeds, Inc.
Beck's Superior Hybrids
Burrus Bros. and Associated Growers
Cenex/Land O' Lakes
Curry Seed Co.
Dairyland Seed Co., Inc.
Diener Seeds
Fontanelle Hybrids
Gold Country Seed
Growmark
Hoblit Seed Co.
Horizon Genetics, LLC
Hubner Seed Co.
Hughes Seed Farm, Inc.
Hyland Seeds
Lewis Hybrids, Inc.
Merschman, Inc.
Miles Farm Supply, Inc.

Munson Hybrids, Inc.
North Gro Seeds, Inc.
O'Brien Farms, Inc.
Ottilie Seed Farms
Patriot Seeds
Prairie Hybrid Seed
Producers Hybrids
Professional Seed Associates
Schlessman Seed Co., Inc.
SEEDirect
Sieben Hybrids
Stine Seed Farms
Terra International
Trelay Farms, Inc.
Tristate Seed & Ag, Inc.
United Suppliers, Inc
Wellman Seeds, Inc.
William F. Renk & Sons Co., Inc.
Wyffels Hybrids, Inc.

"Thurston Genetics is excited about bringing value-added NutriDense products to the seed corn industry and creating additional end-product value", says Robert Thurston, founder and CEO of Thurston Genetics. "Our seed company partners share in this enthusiasm by providing value-added grains to the North American marketplace."

NutriDense products are packed with higher crude protein, increased concentrations of essential amino acids with excellent digestibility, greater levels of key minerals, as well as elevated oil resulting in more energy content and better palatability. "NutriDense genetics are highly beneficial to livestock producers," says Mark Scholl, president of ExSeed Genetics.

ExSeed provides value-enhanced grains to feed, food and industrial markets under the brand name ExSeed Enhanced(TM). ExSeed Genetics works with a variety of seed and production partners within the ExSeed Contracting Network to provide animal feeders, millers and food processors ExSeed Enhanced traits in grains that add value and improve the end-use product ExSeed Genetics has released the first low-phytate corn varieties, NutriDense LP(TM) and Yellow Dent LP(TM), which are available to swine and poultry producers throughout the United States.

Thurston Genetics, founded by Thurston in 1993, acquires marketing rights of elite corn inbred lines from seed corn companies that have an active breeding program. Because elite germplasm varieties may be available from several different breeding organizations, Thurston Genetics identifies these elite performers and determines which genetic family the line will cross with to make a new hybrid.

ExSeed Genetics L.L.C., headquartered in Owensboro, Ky., was formed in 1994, and has research operations in Owensboro; Ames, Iowa; and Olivia, Minnesota.

Company news release
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