Harris Moran field days draw seedsmen from around the world
(21 October 1998)

Harris Moran Seed Company reports exceptional customer attendance during the recently concluded August Trials and Field Days. With over 600 visitors representing 29 countries and 12 states, these were the most successful field days in Harris Moran's history. Customers had a choice of five trial sites and often traveled to several sites to view the wide range of material. Harris Moran displayed Cantaloupe, Beans, Sweet Corn, Watermelon, Tomato, Pepper, Squash, Lettuce, Cabbage, Radish, Cucumber, Mixed Melons and Pumpkins.

Breeders, Product Managers and Sales Representatives were on hand in Michigan, Idaho, Wisconsin and California to show new and established varieties to visitors from around the world. Using the theme of "Right for your Region," trial varieties were selected from the climatic regions represented by the different sites and displays were geared for both fresh and processing markets.

The quality and scope of the company's product line was in evidence at every location according to Stan Forrest, Product Manager for Harris Moran. "With our combined product line, the new Harris Moran is able to meet the needs of more growers by offering them a full line of variety-based solutions," said Forrest.

All of the locations featured new product introduction and advanced experimental as well as established commercial varieties. Customer field tours were hosted in small groups and presentations were geared to their interests. "We prefer to show our material one-on-one and in the field," said John Schoenecker, Director of Marketing for Harris Moran. "This allows us to find out what folks are looking for and to tailor our discussion to their needs. The response from our customers has been great. We really appreciate their visit.î

This is the second year of August Field Trials for the new Harris Moran Seed Company which combined the Harris Moran and Ferry-Morse Seed Companies in January of 1997. The new company represents a history of over 140 years of vegetable seed production, in breeding and distribution. Harris Moran Seed Company distributes the Harris Moran brand in North America and the Harris Moran, Ferry Morse and Niagara brand international markets. Groupe Limagrain is the parent of Harris Moran and the largest breeder, producer and distributor of vegetable and flower seed in the world.

Harris Moran Seed Company's parent, Vilmorin Clause & Cie., announces a strategic partnership with Hazera Quality Seed
(17 July 1998)

On July 4^th, Vilmorin, Clause and Co., the parent of Harris Moran Seed Company, and Hazera Quality Seed announced a strategic alliance supported by a cooperative exchange of shares. The partnership provides each company a secure and skilled partner for the application of biological technologies to vegetable seed research and development. The companies will share efforts and resources in order to capture emerging product and commercial applications. Teams from both companies have also identified traditional opportunities.

Both companies are primary breeders and producers of value-add vegetable seed varieties with a significant share in their respective markets. Jean-Charles Ganas, COO of Harris Moran, states "We are moving to strengthen our commitment to our customers by investing in quality technology with superb partners. Working with Hazera, our ability to provide variety-based solutions is greatly improved. Our goal will be to apply these technologies to the kind of innovative products needed in the today's competitive market."

Both companies will retain full independence to maximize their business while fostering the mutual goals set by the partnership. "In addition to unique technologies and products, each company brings a similar business culture to the partnership. This comes from our history as farmer-owned cooperatives that work hard to address the challenges and opportunities of today's business", according to Mr. Ganas. He continues, "In the years to come, we expect this to pay real dividends to our customers. We are really thrilled to have a partner of such exceptional quality."

Vilmorin, Clause & Co. will acquire an 11.5% share of Hazera Quality Seeds, while Hazera receives a 12.5% share of two subsidiaries of Vilmorin, Clause & Co.: Vilmorin, SA (France) and Harris Moran Seed Company (USA). 

Hazera Quality Seeds, Brurim, Israel is a breeder, producer and distributor of market-leading vegetable and agronomic seed for professionals. With leading products for the fresh tomato trade, Hazera is widely recognized for its successful application of proprietary, enhanced shelf-life technology. Hazera also breeds and produces pepper, melon, cucumber and onion seed.

Vilmorin, Clause & Company is the horticultural seed unit of Groupe Limagrain, the world leader in vegetable and flower breeding. Harris Moran Seed Company and Vilmorin, SA are long-established (combined service of 397 years) with significant positions in the markets of North American and Europe respectively. Each company has unique, proprietary breeding, development and distribution capabilities and provides a wide range of market leading products to professional growers around the world.

Harris Moran Seed Company announces new brand and distribution plans for North America
(16 June 1998)

Today, Jean-Charles Ganas, COO of Harris Moran Seed Company, Modesto, California, announced the consolidation of the Harris Moran and Ferry-Morse brands for North America. Beginning July 1, 1998, all products in North America will be phased into the Harris Moran brand. "This change will allow us to be more efficient in this key market and focus our resources on one brand. The results will be the best in products and services for our customers," stated Mr. Ganas. "Since our merger last year, we have focused on the consolidation of our internal operations. Now, we are taking this approach to the market with a single brand, Harris Moran."

Harris Moran brand product distribution will continue with a unique blend of direct and dealer sales. In the Western U.S. and Mexico, Harris Moran products will be distributed primarily through dealers. In the Eastern U.S. and Canada, the long-standing practice of direct to grower and dealer distribution will continue. "This combination will continue the level of support and service our customers expect and will maintain the ongoing relationships we have with growers and dealers across the continent" states Antonio Neves, Vice President of North American Sales.

"Over the last year, the new Harris Moran has truly become one company with one mission," says Mr. Ganas. "Simply put, our goal is to become the most trusted supplier of innovative seed products for the professional grower. As I look at the future progress we must make to best serve our customers, I believe that one brand with a multifaceted distribution system will allow us to achieve this goal."

Harris Moran Seed Company will continue to distribute three brands in markets outside of North America - the Niagara, Ferry-Morse and Harris Moran brand. Each has a well-established position and a high degree of customer recognition in their respective markets.

Harris Moran Seed Company is a breeder, producer and distributor of value-added vegetable seed products worldwide. The parent company, Groupe Limagrain, is a farmer-owned cooperative based in France and the largest breeder-producer of horticultural seed in the world. Ferry-Morse and Harris Moran were merged into Harris Moran Seed Company in July of 1997.

Harris Moran and Agritope announce advance trials of bio-transformed melon varieties
(12 June 1998)

Harris Moran Seed Company and Agritope, Inc. report that field trials of proprietary Harris Moran cantaloupe enhanced with Agritope's patented ethylene control technology are now being harvested. Trials are located in key growing regions throughout the western U.S. where information will be gathered and analyzed during the summer and early fall. This work is a continuation of the field-testing begun in 1997 and is designed to evaluate the suitability of Agritope's SAMase ethylene control gene and Harris Moran's enhanced melon varieties for extending post-harvest shelf life and quality, significant economic factors in the $2.8 billion U.S. fresh melon industry.

"The trials now underway are being conducted on a larger scale than last year's first-stage melon trials," said Adolph J. Ferro, Ph.D., Agritope's president and chief executive officer. Trial in 1997 demonstrated the ability of Harris Moran cantaloupe enhanced with Agritope's SAMase technology to maintain post-harvest shelf life and consumer quality beyond standard varieties. The 1998 trials are being conducted with a broader range of material and in much greater depth. "Our plan is based on the information from our 1997 work and designed to answer a very specific set of questions. This year, we have a much broader array of material to screen and more seed of last years top performers," according to Bill Copes, Senior Melon Breeder and Project Leader for Harris Moran. 

Field trials in 1998 are designed to study the performance of Harris Moran varieties modified with Agritope's SAMase technology. Evaluations will include yield, field holding ability, fruit quality, harvest maturity and distribution, fruit response to wounding and other qualities of scientific and commercial interest. Test results and individual variety performance will be used to select unique hybrids that will be advanced to commercial-scale trials in 1999. In addition, Agritope will produce data for USDA and FDA submission.

Agritope, Inc. is an Oregon-based agricultural biotechnology company specializing in fruit and vegetable crops and the majority owner of Vinifera, Inc. Based in Petaluma, California, Vinifera offers advanced technology for plant propagation, disease screening and plant disease elimination programs to the grape industry.

Harris Moran Seed Company is a breeder, producer and distributor of value-added vegetable seed products worldwide and a member of Groupe Limagrain, a farmer-owned cooperative based in France. Groupe Limagrain is the largest breeder-producer of horticultural seed for home and professional markets. Ferry-Morse Seed Company and Harris Moran were merged into Harris Moran Seed Company in July of 1997.