INDUSTRY UPDATE

 

5^th May 2020

 

Nuseed Pty Ltd (“Nuseed Australia”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nufarm Limited, and Barenbrug Australia Pty Ltd today announced they have entered into a formal agreement for Barenbrug Australia to license Nuseed Australia’s sorghum and sunflower germplasm and conduct plant breeding, research and development and commercialisation services.

 

This announcement demonstrates Nuseed Australia’s prioritisation and focus on its market-leading position in the Australian canola and Monola markets, and its ongoing Australian research and development commitments as the global commercialisation partner for CSIRO and GRDC for Nuseed Omega-3 canola. The collaboration aligns strongly with Barenbrug’s strategic objective of continuing to invest in agriculture in Northern Australia, which includes investing in infrastructure, capability and research and development. Barenbrug have recently made significant investments in capability and infrastructure evidenced by growing their team to 106 across its Australian locations as well as investing in its new state-of-the-art facility in Toowoomba, Queensland.

 

Starting July 1st, 2020, all Australian-based Nuseed grain sorghum, forage sorghum and sunflower plant breeding, R&D, sales and distribution will be licensed to Barenbrug. Australian growers will have access to the same Nuseed products, sold under the Barenbrug brand. The specifics of the agreement are private.

 

Barenbrug's Australian Managing Director Toby Brown commented that "this agreement reinforces Barenbrug's commitment to investing in R&D in Australian agriculture. We have an extensive program focused on innovation in Australia, and we look forward to developing new products and tools for sorghum and sunflower growers. It represents an exciting next step following the recent opening of our new, state-of-the-art warehouse and seed-coating facility in Toowoomba as part of our ongoing investment in Northern Australia. Barenbrug looks forward to working with Nuseed to continue driving the breeding program forward, with the objective of providing new and existing hybrids to sorghum and sunflower growers.”

 

Travis Rankin, Nuseed Australia’s General Manager said that "Barenbrug is in a strong position to bring Australian farmers an exciting suite of next-generation hybrids from the genetics currently in the Nuseed pipeline."

 

 

Nuseed and Barenbrug are committed to a smooth transition and continued collaboration through:

• Uninterrupted supply of high-quality seed 
• Maximizing Nuseed's global sorghum and sunflower germplasm to create advanced hybrids for Australian growers
• Seamless continuation of breeding activities and transition of Nuseed's summer crop plant breeding capabilities to the Barenbrug team
• Engaging with existing stakeholders from both organizations to ensure a smooth transition and service delivery

 

About the Nuseed sorghum and sunflower breeding program

Nuseed entered the Australian sorghum and sunflower market through the acquisition of Lefroy Seeds in 2008, followed by the purchase of HSR sorghum breeding assets and germplasm in 2013. Nuseed's summer crop breeding program has market-leading positions in sunflower and forage sorghum and has developed a strong position in grain sorghum. Globally Nuseed will continue to provide industry-leading sorghum and sunflower hybrids to other regions through global germplasm, R&D programs, sales and service in North America, South America, and Europe.

Barenbrug will continue to remain focused on being a global market leader in research and development, marketing, extension and distribution of proprietary pasture and forage seeds, cropping, turf and seed enhancement technology. In Australia, Barenbrug will continue to deliver innovation to growers and partners across a range of markets. This innovation is underpinned through a local research and development capability and supported by strong, customer focused commercial and operations teams.

 

About Nuseed  

Nuseed delivers value beyond yield globally through dedicated service, locally proven canola, carinata, sorghum, and sunflower seed for farm customers and new plant-based solutions for end-use customers.  Nuseed develops input traits for top agronomic performance while going beyond yield to commercialize plant output traits with new value and market opportunities. Nuseed's Monola and Omega-3 Canola, Onyx Sunflowers, Wholis and BMR Sorghum, and Carinata Renewable Fuel programs are all examples of proprietary crops developed for specific end-uses and supplied by Nuseed Value Chains built through industry collaboration.

 

Over 250 Nuseed employees work across 11 global locations and two world-class Nuseed Innovation Centers. Established in Australia in 2006, Nuseed has grown to offer industry-leading germplasm, advanced molecular capabilities, regional R&D and commercial trials with dedicated teams in Australia, Europe, North and South America, and sales in more than 30 countries. Nuseed is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nufarm Australia Ltd. (ASX:NUF). Learn more at nuseed.com.

 

About Barenbrug

The Barenbrug journey began in 1904. Currently in its 116^th year, it operates in 20 countries across 6 continents with over 800 dedicated employees. The Royal Barenbrug Group is globally the largest, privately owned pasture, forage and turf company and its subsidiary Barenbrug Australia is one of Australia's leading seed businesses specialising in research and development, marketing, extension and distribution of proprietary pasture and forage seeds, cropping, turf and seed enhancement technology.

 

Since its inception, Barenbrug have always had a strong commitment to investing in new technologies, partnerships and innovation. With 22 research and development locations across various climates and regions Barenbrug are able to continuously develop new technologies that better enhance their offering, always with a focus on the customer and their end goals. In Australia key products include temperate and tropical pasture varieties, fodder crops, forage cereals, field crops, turf and amenity grasses and have serviced the summer crop market in since 2007.

 

 

For more information contact:

Travis Rankin, General Manager, Nuseed Australia

Email: travis.rankin@nuseed.com

 

Peter Sullivan, Strategic Marketing Manager Barenbrug Australia

Email: psullivan@barenbrug.com.au