BASF and Northern Seed ink research and commercial agreement

BASF has licensed Northern Seed LLC to perform research and development of BASF's proprietary and patented Clearfield® technology in wheat. This agreement also allows Northern Seed LLC to commercialize these wheat varieties that are the result of this research once completed by Northern Seed LLC and approved for commercialization by BASF. The Clearfield® system allows wheat farmers to have another tool to manage their weed and yield goals through an integrated herbicide management system.

"This is becoming a more important tool for U.S. farmers to have more alternatives to manage their yield potential and weed control in wheat" stated Ryan Holt, Executive Vice President of Northern Seed LLC. Holt also stated that Northern Seed LLC is proud of the fact that this research is being performed right here in Montana at our Bozeman Research Center, for the benefit of producers in the Northern Plains of the United States. "We are honored that BASF selected us to be a partner in this research and commercialization, and that they recognize that we have the resources and distribution to perform this stewardship," Holt said.

With more than 20 varieties, the Clearfield® Production System for wheat offers growers a wide selection of certified seed options to help ensure success. The Clearfield® Production System for wheat with Beyond® herbicide is the only complete, herbicide-tolerant system for wheat that effectively lets growers control what they grow. The result is improved grain and land quality with broad-spectrum weed control, including the industry's best management option for suppressing feral rye.

"We look forward to working with Northern Seed LLC and are excited about the impact this partnership can have for wheat growers," Luke Lathan, Product Manager - Diversified, BASF Crop Protection North America said. "The Clearfield® Production System is already a powerful tool to help growers control weeds and yield high quality grain. This partnership allows for continued innovation and the potential to provide even better solutions."

The research to be performed by Northern Seed LLC will be under the direction of Dr. Dale Clark, Director of Research for Northern Seed LLC.  He will be assisted by plant breeding veterans, Craig Cook and Dr. Fernando Guillen-Portal. Dr. Clark explained, "This license will allow Northern Seed LLC to access improved Clearfield® wheat varieties, and will allow Northern Seed LLC to breed this Clearfield® trait into locally adapted spring and winter wheat. We are extremely excited to be a partner with BASF for this research.

Northern Seed LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Agri Holdings LLC, a Montana based company with multiple seed and feed production facilities and research centers.  Northern's research facilities in Bozeman, Montana, Vernon, Texas and Woodland, California are focused on researching and developing grains and forages both independently and in collaborations with other national and international research entities.