62 GERMINATION.CA SEPTEMBER 2018 TheHeadlinesBusiness | People | Policy | Product | Research Submissions welcome: news@issuesink.com BUSINESS LA COOP FÉDÉRÉE AND MAIZEX SEEDS JOIN FORCES La Coop fédérée has entered into a joint venture partnership with Maizex Seeds, a corn and soybean seed com- pany based in Tilbury, Ont. Maizex Seeds produces and mar- kets seed corn and seed soybeans, while La Coop fédérée produces and markets seed for corn, soybeans, cere- als, and forages under the Elite brand. The partnership with Maizex will enable the two organizations to add further to the strengths and expertise that each brand currently brings to the market. Over the coming months, the companies will be working together to launch a comprehensive market strat- egy to provide full product access and support to farmers across the country. “As seed and grain distribution operations are becoming more com- petitive every day, we are pleased to invest and reinforce our presence in Ontario and on the Canadian market,” said Ghislain Gervais, president, La Coop fédérée. “This partnership will generate new efficiencies but more importantly better seed offering to all farmers in Canada.” “La Coop fédérée is the ideal partner for Maizex, not only given their ownership and shared values, but also their shared vision to invest in the scale and scope of seed business needed to service Canadian farmers across this great nation well into the future,” notes Dave Baute, president and CEO of Maizex Seeds. He adds that La Coop fédérée has a track record of success that has resulted in it being one of the largest Canadian agri- food organizations. SASK WHEAT JOINS CEREALS CANADA Cereals Canada and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) are pleased to announce that Sask Wheat is the newest member of Cereals Canada. Cam Dahl, President of Cereals Canada stated, “Canadian agricul- ture is facing a rise in protectionism around the world. Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission’s member- ship in Cereals Canada makes the value chain stronger and better able to manage the head winds we face today. “Sask Wheat is looking forward to working with Cereals Canada and strengthening the collaborations with our indus- try partners across the Prairies and across Canada,” says Laura Reiter, Sask Wheat Chair. “There are several key issues across the world that will be impacting wheat markets, from NAFTA, to CPTPP to the country of origin labelling require- ments in Italy. We will combine our resources on these and other issues for Saskatchewan’s wheat farmers.” ALFALFA LITIGATION COMES TO AN END Forage Genetics International (FGI) and Alforex Seeds have been involved in litigation concerning the advertis- ing of certain varieties of alfalfa seeds. The litigation has been resolved. This enables Alforex, Dairyland Seed and Mycogen to add alfalfa varieties that contain the unique attributes of FGI’s HarvXtra and Roundup Ready traits to their product offerings and will significantly broaden grower access to HarvXtra and Roundup Ready alfalfa technology. Alforex will continue to offer a broad variety of technology choices to their alfalfa customers, including Hi-Gest, an alfalfa seed product developed via conven- tional breeding that offers forage quality advantages. PEOPLE CSTA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS At the 95th annual meeting of the Canadian Seed Trade