US-based seed company
Garst Seed Company was a U.S.-based subsidiary of Syngenta that produced hybrid seeds for agriculture.
History
In 1931, Garst and Thomas Hi-Bred Corn Company was founded by Roswell Garst and Charley Thomas in Coon Rapids, Iowa, and was "instrumental in promoting the use of hybrid corn."[1] During the Cold War, Garst formed a relationship with Nikita Khrushchev and assisted the USSR in modernizing its corn production.[1]
In 1983, the company split up and Garst Seed Company was formed.[1]
In 1985 Garst was acquired by Imperial Chemical Industries's American subsidiary.[1]
In 1993, ICI sold off its North American assets, and Garst seed business became part of a new company called Zeneca.[1]
In 1996, Garst became part of Advanta Group, formed through the merger of Zeneca Seeds and VanderHave.[1] Zeneca became part of AstraZeneca and VanderHave was controlled by a Dutch farmer-owned co-operative called Cosun U.A.[2]
In 2004, Astrazeneca and Cosun sold Garst to Syngenta.[1][3]
In 2013, Syngenta announced the retirement of the Garst seed brand. Operations ceased in 2014 and remaining Garst hybrid corn seed products were rebranded to Golden Harvest.[4]
Notes
