Alexander, Iowa
March 30, 2009
Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids,
Inc., an independently owned hybrid seed corn company in
Sheffield, Iowa, today announces the purchase of all commercial
soybean seed assets of Latham Seed Co. The purchase includes
production and research facilities in Alexander, Iowa, as well
as Latham Seed sales operations. Headquartered in Alexander,
Iowa, the new company will do business as Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.
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John Latham, Shannon Latham, Chris Latham |
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“Many people ask why we’re staying independent in this era of
greater corporate concentration across the seed industry,” said
John Latham, president of Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids, who assumes
the same position with Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. “The answer is
simple: farmers need a strong, independent, family owned seed
business in this era of consolidation. We are passionate about
helping farmers feed and fuel the world. This can best be
achieved through the many high-tech seed options that we can
provide as an independent seed company. We also want to help
simplify seed purchase decisions and reduce risk through our
trademark Seed2Soil® program.”
As an independent company, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds offers a larger
portfolio of traits and products than seed companies that are
owned by a trait supplier. For example, the company’s corn
lineup includes Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids™ with YieldGard VT
Triple®, Herculex® XTRA, as well as with Agrisure® 3000GT. The
soybean lineup includes Latham® soybeans with the new Roundup
Ready 2 Yield™, LibertyLink®, CystX® and Vistive™.
“Being independent allows us to see the new technologies coming
down the pipe from various trait providers. The good news for
our customers is that we can recommend products based on what’s
best for their given situation, regardless of which company
developed it,” Latham said. “Latham Hi-Tech Seeds will continue
to grow in its role as an independent resource for its
farmer-customers, providing options and alternatives to best
meet their individual needs.”
Latham stated that Latham Hi-Tech Seeds will celebrate the
company’s past and strong reputation while looking toward the
future. “Our customers will soon begin to see more incentives,
more services and greater value enhancements within our seed
business,” said Latham. “We’re committed to getting even closer
to our customers and guiding them through the maze of
technologies and traits that make farming an exciting and
demanding business.”
Latham Hi-Tech Seeds stockholders include company president John
Latham; his wife and vice president Shannon Latham; and brother
and chief financial officer Chris Latham. Bill Latham, former
Latham Seed Co. president, will continue as Chief Technology
Officer. Don Latham, who had been a principal in Latham Seed
Co., will focus on the family’s farming operation and a food
soybean export firm called Latham Farms LLC.
Founded in 1947 on an Iowa Century Farm, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
provides leading-edge corn, soybean and alfalfa seed plus
consulting services to growers in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Nebraska and South Dakota. Latham Hi-Tech Seeds brands
incorporate genetics and traits from global technology providers
including Monsanto, Bayer, BASF, DuPont, Dow AgroSciences,
Syngenta and others.
**Latham®, Hi-Tech Hybrids™ and Seed2Soil®are trademarks of
Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids, LLC. YieldGard VT Triple®, Roundup Ready
2 Yield™, and Vistive™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology
LLC.
Herculex® is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Agrisure® is a
trademark of Syngenta Group Company. LibertyLink® is a
registered trademark of Bayer CropScience. CystX® is a
registered trademark of ACCESS Plant Technology. Inc. |
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