RAGT Australia, formerly called Seed Force, recently announced it has acquired BASF's open-pollinated wheat seed assets in Australia, following its integration with European seeds company RAGT Semences in January.
RAGT Australia general manager, Dale Skepper said the mature breeding program has already delivered commercial products and a pipeline flow that appears to be rich with genetics well matched to the Australian market.
"We're excited to secure this opportunity to launch into the spring white wheat segment, adding to our existing activities in the market," Skepper said.
"Our team looks forward to working with partners and providing well adapted solutions to Australian farmers, that potentially extend across the globe."
As part of the acquisition senior plant breeder and architect of the program, Maqbool Ahmad, will join the RAGT Australia team and continue to steward the program into the future.
RAGT Semences new markets territory director, Samuel Gasté, said the new acquisition fits perfectly into the companies' multi species strategy and reinforces its commitment to bringing innovative solutions to Australian farmers and its partners.
"It will bring another level of genetic diversity in our global cereal offer," he said.
The companies' chief executive officer, Damien Robert, said RAGT Semences already has a recognised portfolio in malt barley, canola, and fodder species, and are convinced its new wheat range will strengthen its cooperation with the Australian farming sector.
"This new acquisition complements our existing wheat breeding programs with unique germplasm and will have a positive impact on our worldwide cereals footprint," Robert added.
