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 June 2006 ADM announces Patricia A. Woertz has been selected as pres/CEO and member of the board of directors, succeeding G. Allen Andreas, who remains as chairman of the board. Woertz most recently was Exec VP of Chevron Corporation, in charge of the oil company's "downstream" operations, including refining, marketing, lubricant, supply and trading businesses in 180 countries, with more than $100 billion in annual revenues and a global workforce of 30,000. A Federal District Court judge rules in favor of Syngenta Seeds, Inc., granting summary judgment with respect to the patents asserted by Monsanto against Syngenta's use and sale of GA21 corn. "We are extremely pleased with this decision that confirms our right to sell GA21 products," said Syngenta Seeds COO Mike Mack. "This decision is good news as it promotes competition and thus more choice for growers." Monsanto announces it would appeal the ruling. "We believe it is important to protect the technology that our scientists developed and we are disappointed with the court's ruling," said Charles Burson, exec VP general counsel for Monsanto. Wilbur-Ellis names John Thacher as president/CEO. He had been serving as exec VP. Herbert Tully has been elected chairman and is replacing the recently deceased Brayton Wilbur, Jr. The value of the global proprietary seed market grew to more than $17 billion in 2005 which is a 30 percent increase over the past five years, according to the latest edition of an global seed market survey completed by The Context Network (TCN), Des Moines, IA. "Expanded plantings of oilseed crops and maize (corn) and the continued adoption of biotech seed are two mega trends that are pushing up the value and importance of proprietary commercial seed globally," says Mark Nelson, a consultant with TCN. TCN conducted more than 200 interviews with industry experts to compile the 2006 Global Seed Market Database. The Global Seed Market Database is a uniquely designed electronic resource that provides market value and acreage estimates of the worldwide seed market. The database provides information on planting rates, commercial seed sales, public seed use, farmer-saved seed and GMO seed sales for 48 crops in 230 countries categorized by six different regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. More information about the report can be found at www.contextnet.com. Harvestore, a division of ESPC, DeKalb, IL, announces the hiring of Richard (Dick) Nelles as the agricultural sales manager for its Ag Division. "He has been an advisor to the company on sales of its Harvestore and Slurrystore product lines for years and is a past owner of a dealership, he is our resident expert in forage and nutrient management," says Rick Jones, ESPC VP of Sales. "As the agricultural sales manager, he will oversee sales of all ESPC agricultural products nationally and in Canada." Phillips McDougall reports in 2005, the animal health market increased by 6.9 percent in nominal dollar terms to be valued at $15,793 million. Over the last five years the market has increased at an average rate of 4.0 percent. The animal health sector has altered significantly with a shift in market share towards the pet sector that now accounts for over 40 percent of industry sales. The largest animal health companies, estimated 2005 worldwide sales (stated in millions) are: Pfizer $2,206; Merial $1,987; Intervet $1,359; Bayer $1,063; Ft. Dodge $881, Elanco $864. Merck announces it has agreed to purchase two biotechnology firms that will help it discover and produce products. It announces it has agreed to buy GlycoFi Inc., of Lebanon, NH, for $400 million. It also agreed to purchase Abmaxis Inc., Santa Clara, CA, for $80 million. GlycoFi has developed a yeast-based, proprietary technology to develop proteins to treat or prevent diseases. Merck says the technology can result in higher yields and faster development of products than traditional methods for making biologics in mammalian cell cultures. Abmaxis has a technology to assist with the identification of proteins known as monoclonal antibodies that can serve as the basis for biologic products. BASF announces the acquisition of CropDesign. The Belgian-based biotech enterprise will become part of BASF Plant Science. CropDesign specializes on traits for yield-enhancement, drought tolerance and improved nutrient use efficiency of crops such as corn and rice. BASF Plant Science´s long-term strategy is to develop next generation plant biotechnology products that offer clear benefits for consumers and the environment. Ron Schardt, chairman and CEO of Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc., announces he is retiring. He joined Reinke Manufacturing in 1977 and has served as CEO and chairman of the board since 1979. He was instrumental in overseeing the company's domestic and international mechanized irrigation growth, as well as, the launch and growth of the company's trailer and chassis product lines during the last 29 years of the company's history. Food360°, a division of Vance Publishing Corp., announces the second annual International Symposium on Agroterrorism (ISA) will be held at Westin Crown Center in Kansas City on September 25-29, 2006. The symposium is presented by the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and will include an exhibitor component called "Protect Our Food" Expo. The Symposium was sold out with more than 800 attendees in 2005 including dignitaries such as Robert Mueller, FBI Director; Michael Johanns, USDA Secretary; and United States Senators, Pat Roberts and Christopher Bond among others. "The goal of ISA is to bring together representatives from all aspects of food including private industry, law enforcement, government, science, academia and health and medicine to discuss issues related to protecting our food from terrorist threats," says Kevin Murphy, food360° director of market development. Information is available at www.protectourfood.com. Syngenta Seeds announces the appointment of Clayton Becker and Jody Foutch as trait support managers for the Agrisure traits business. Becker supports and represents Agrisure with NK Brand and GreenLeaf Genetics licensing business of Syngenta, providing marketing assistance and product information. Foutch provides technical training and marketing support for Agrisure traits and AgriEdge corn crop enhancement programs to seed companies, including Garst and Golden Harvest. Both had worked with NK Brand. Tweet |
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