PGG Wrightson gets govt backing in $14.6m seeds research
The funding will let the company build a suite of new technology to keep New Zealand farmers internationally competitive.
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Hawke’s Bay
(BusinessDesk) PGG Wrightson, the New Zealand rural services group controlled by China's Agria, has won government backing for a $14.6 million research programme that aims to improve seed quality and plant species.
The government will invest $7.15 million over six years through its Primary Growth Partnership fund in a Wrightson-led initiative to lift animal productivity and reducing environmental impacts, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.
The balance will be picked up by Wrightson and its research partners.
The programme seeks to establish faster and more reliable pasture, increase pasture productivity and persistence, cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve animal health and lower susceptibility to summer droughts.
"Co-funding of these projects by government and industry is what PGP is all about," Primary Industries Minister David Carter says. "Every New Zealander stands to gain from innovative investment in the primary sector because our food, fishing, fibre and forestry industries are pivotal to the success of the economy."
Wrightson's seeds business was widely seen as the attraction for China's Agria Corp taking a controlling 50.01% stake in the company in a $144 million deal.
Its agri-tech unit, which has been building its seeds business, increased revenue 3.6% to $435 million, though earnings fell 21% to $30.1 million in the latest financial year.
PGG Wrightson Seeds general manager of research and development David Woodfield says the funding will let the company build a suite of new technology to keep New Zealand farmers internationally competitive.
Wrightson shares were unchanged at 35 cents today and have shed 7.9% this year. The stock is rated an average "outperform" based on five analyst recommendations compiled by Reuters with a median target price of 43.5 cents.
Paul McBeth
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
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PGG Wrightson gets govt backing in $14.6m seeds research
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