Ravensdown forms strategic partnership with Cropmark Seeds

September 28, 2011

Cropmark Seeds Announcement

Media Statement

Ravensdown forms strategic partnership with Cropmark Seeds

Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative has entered into a strategic partnership with Cropmark Seeds Limited to deliver performance improvements from a range of high performance cultivars and specialist knowledge to its shareholders.

Based in Canterbury, Cropmark markets an extensive range of forage, brassica and cereal cultivars, such as Matrix, Ultra, Revolution, Sonik and Zoom ryegrasses throughout New Zealand and worldwide.

It is also involved in breeding unique cultivars and novel endophytes with the aim of improving pasture yield, and achieving higher nutritional values, better drought and disease resistance, and improved seasonal responses.

“This partnership fits with our strategy of being involved with farm inputs that contribute to growing pasture, animal products and crops more cost effectively, efficiently and sustainably,” said Bill McLeod, Chairman of Ravensdown.

“Modern farming’s focus is on production, sustainability and cost benefits, and incremental improvements need to be made across the spectrum of inputs that go into the farm.

“By being involved across the board, Ravensdown contributes to farmers having a ‘one-stop’ knowledge base, and easy access to the best combination of options.

“Cropmark is an extremely successful company, and is recognised in New Zealand and internationally for the quality, innovation and performance of its cultivars.

“In an industry where claims can be extravagant, Cropmark has built an enviable reputation for integrity, and setting the benchmark for achieving performance improvement over traditional alternatives.

“Through this association with Cropmark we will offer our farmers leading edge specialist knowledge and advice, and through our account managers and customer centre make buying a seamless operation with other key farm input purchases.”

Cropmark’s CEO, Brian Patchett said the relationship with Ravensdown would assist it to grow its business in New Zealand and internationally.

Mr Patchett said that conventionally improved cultivars, based on the best traits of the parents, had the potential to greatly boost the world’s production of food.

“There are still major production gains to be made from conventional plant breeding.

“Our plant breeding programme is recognised internationally for its innovation, extensiveness and scientific professionalism, and this relationship with Ravensdown will assist us to continue on the growth path we have been on for the past 15 years.”

Mr McLeod said Ravensdown had been seeking to form a strategic partnership with a cultivar breeding and marketing company for some time.

“Cropmark is the ideal partner.

“Having its origins in New Zealand, Cropmark understands intimately the unique combination of climate, soil type, topography and nutrient needs challenging our farmers, and its technological approach and expertise are rooted in that can do attitude which runs through our agricultural sector.

“It is a good cultural fit with Ravensdown, and our farmers.”
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