Arenzville and Woodstock, Illinois, USA
June 9, 2010

Two family businesses have joined together. Burrus Hybrids and Hughes Hybrids Seed Company of Woodstock, Ill. have created a strategic alliance to better serve their customers throughout the Midwest. The announcement was made by Tom Burrus, president of Burrus Hybrids, and David Hughes, president of Hughes Hybrids.

The alliance with Hughes, which markets seed corn, soybeans and forage products in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and Burrus, which markets seed corn and soybeans in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa, will create complete coverage of the central corn belt.

“Despite volatility in the economy, Burrus Hybrids and Hughes Hybrids have reaffirmed their commitment to independence, financial strength, and delivering quality seed corn and soybeans with unmatched service,” said Burrus. “The Hughes alliance is a perfect fit for our core strategy and provides an even stronger foundation for further growth.”

Hughes Hybrids welcomes the strategic alliance with Burrus. “Seed companies with size and growth are necessary to compete with the conglomerates and have access to trait technologies,” said Hughes. “The partnership is a strong move for the future of both companies. Burrus, like Hughes, is known for treating customers well, so customers of both companies will feel right at home.”

Burrus Hybrids was founded in 1935 by brothers Roy and Wilbur Burrus. The company is in its fourth generation of American, farm-family ownership. Hughes, established in 1967, also has been an independent, family-owned company with a successful history. The Hughes brothers are sixth-generation family farmers with seed experience dating back to the late 1920s.

“Hughes and Burrus align very well strategically,” said Tim Greene, vice president of Burrus. “Hughes growers will enjoy more hybrid options and soybean selections, along with access to more germplasm, than virtually any company in the industry. More agronomic information, testing and trait technology than ever before will be at the fingertips of growers. Burrus growers gain access to earlier- maturity products, soybean production experience and expanded research.”

In addition, the Burrus online support system — BOSS 24/7 — will allow seed dealers to order and access customer service information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dealers of both companies will have access to the product offerings of each company. Geographic differences impacting maturity periods will mean that cross-selling of products is most applicable to dealers in the I-80 corridor. Hughes management and personnel will contribute to the Burrus and Hughes success in the future.

“The philosophy of Hughes product introductions and distribution has been virtually the same as ours,” said Burrus. “Like us, they develop and support products for the success of their growers and have years of experience working with farmers who live and farm where they do.”

Website: http://www.burrusseed.com

Published: June 9, 2010