A Chinese investment fund has paid $1.1 billion to purchase Dow Chemical Company’s corn seed business in Brazil, a move Reuters calls a further sign of China’s fast-expanding role in the global seed sector. The assets, which generated revenue of about $287 million in 2016, are being sold by Dow to meet conditions set by U.S. antitrust regulators for its …
China Trade Agreement Includes Biotech Approvals
The trade agreement between the U.S. and China that focused on U.S. beef also paved the way for Chinese approval of two U.S. genetically modified crop traits. The Wall Street Journal reports China has approved imports of two new varieties of genetically modified crops, clearing the way for U.S. agricultural companies to market new biotech seeds to farmers. Through the …
Corn Replant Expected to reach “Historic” Levels
Seed industry leaders are expecting corn replant rates this year to reach historic levels. Ryan Parkin of Beck’s Hybrids told DTN-The Progressive Farmer “this will be a historic replant year, particularly for corn.” Many seed companies say the year ranks first or second in company history for replanting demand. Spring rains were far too abundant, leaving fields across the Midwest …