West Des Moines, Iowa, USA
August 2, 2010

The Context Network has announced the acquisition of SeedMatrix™, a web-based application for seed companies offered through PLAN, Inc. The software simplifies hybrid and variety data management by allowing users to analyze a host of seed test plot data in a simple format. The application allows for customized analysis of variety and hybrid data on corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, wheat and sorghum.

Context Partner Mark Holland (photo) said, “SeedMatrix is an exceptional tool for seed companies and technology providers who require a comprehensive analysis of seed varieties where traits are placed. It is uniquely designed to create customized, head-to-head seed variety or hybrid comparisons, find the most consistently high-yielding varieties by geography and analyze those seed products for strengths and weaknesses within a specific geography. In addition, it enables managers to evaluate multiple points of data gathered from the public forum and compare that against internally generated data in a secure system.”

Context Associate and PLAN, Inc. CEO, Dale Logan, created the program over the past seven years. It was launched in 2009 and has met with enthusiastic acceptance by subscribers. Logan stated, “The time is right for providing seed managers with this specific analysis tool. The seed industry is at a point where large volumes of new products are coming to the market. Keeping on top of what genetic and technology combinations work best in a given geography is critical for companies striving to place the best possible products in an agronomic environment.”

Logan added, “Traditionally, if seed companies or others in this marketspace wanted to see comparison data in this format, they had to plow through mountains of public data. SeedMatrix accesses the data, organizes and imports it into a user-friendly form. Through its online security measures, SeedMatrix data are never shared. The information generated is storable and accessible anywhere or any time, even from a mobile phone device.”

While SeedMatrix is a powerful tool for seed companies, Context notes its applicability reaches far beyond to other entities. Context Managing Partner Blake Sieker stated, “SeedMatrix provides companies involved at any level of biotech development a comprehensive understand of the underlying genetics, including performance and dynamics/trends.”

Sieker added, “SeedMatrix is an excellent complement to Context’s syndicated studies which include Plant Biotech Traits Commercialized, Global Seed Market Database and Outlook 2020. Our thorough understanding of the seed industry makes the addition of SeedMatrix a natural fit. The addition of SeedMatrix expands our syndicated reach to include users at the point of sale. Context will continue to seek out innovative applications and resources that best benefit our clients.”

The Context Network provides business management and strategy consulting services to the world’s leading agriculture, biotechnology and food companies and government agencies and institutions. Major areas of expertise include strategy, merger and acquisition support, valuation of new technologies, formation of alliances, and market research. The West Des Moines-based firm is composed of a core of professional consultants that is complemented by a global network of hundreds of industry and subject-area experts.

Website: http://www.seedmatrix.com

Published: August 2, 2010