Shareholders of DuPont and Dow have voted to merge.
Steve Reno, DuPont Pioneer regional director for the U.S. and Canada, said the merger will be positive for Pioneer customers.
“What we’re really excited about is we’re going to be in a better position to bring solutions to growers and services to growers,” he said. “I think better than either one of us could apart.”
National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling said the merger could result in both less and more competition in the seed industry. He has written to the U.S. Justice Department saying NCGA members are worried increased seed market concentration could diminish competition within the industry.
Bowling said the merger does create opportunities for farmers by merging DuPont Pioneer’s strong germplasm development with Dow’s trait development expertise. It creates a company that would be a stronger competitor with the current industry leader and increases farmers access to innovation.
Today’s vote was necessary to complete the merger-of-equals transaction, but it still needs regulatory approval.
Source: brownfieldagnews.com