Completion of the acquisition of Syngenta’s 2-row malting barley seeds business by RAGT.

• RAGT and Syngenta have completed the transaction for the transfer of Syngenta’s 2-row spring and winter malting barley seeds business to RAGT

• This acquisition enriches RAGT’s malting barley portfolio, consolidates its position across many countries, and reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality solutions for growers and for the malting, brewing and distilling industry

• Syngenta remains fully committed to investing and growing its Seeds business globally and across Europe

RAGT and Syngenta announced today the completion of the acquisition of Syngenta’s malting barley seeds business by RAGT, following the fulfilment of all customary closing conditions, including required regulatory processes and local employee consultation procedures. The transaction was initially announced on 20 November 2025 and is now fully closed with effect from December 30, 2025. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

With the completion of the transaction, RAGT has acquired Syngenta’s Market Stainton site, a center of excellence for malting barley breeding located in Lincolnshire, UK. 11 Syngenta employees dedicated to malting barley have now formally transferred to RAGT. This acquisition also covers certain specific Syngenta IP, registrations, and other related intangible assets.

Laurent Guerreiro, President of the RAGT Group said:

“This acquisition gives RAGT a strong international barley platform with outstanding genetics and teams. We look forward to delivering value to farmers and the malting, brewing industries worldwide.”

Damien Robert, Managing Director of RAGT Semences declared:

“We are thrilled to integrate Syngenta’s barley expertise, varieties, and expert teams into RAGT. This is not only a strategic milestone that strengthens our portfolio and accelerates our RAGT 2030 strategy, but also a human adventure that brings talented people together to support farmers across Europe and beyond.”

Robert Hiles, Seeds Field Crops Marketing & Portfolio Management Head at Syngenta Europe said:

“We are pleased to see this agreement reach completion and to provide continuity for the teams and partners involved. RAGT is a strong and trusted player with a proven record in integrating strategic acquisitions, and we are confident the business is well positioned for future success. Syngenta remains fully committed to the growth of our Seeds business and to continued investments in key strategic markets and crops in Europe.”

Both companies will continue to collaborate during the transition period to ensure continuity. RAGT will remain committed to delivering high-quality service to growers, customers, and partners, building on the strong foundations established by Syngenta.

MEDIA CONTACT

RAGT MEDIA RELATIONS

Daler Skepper, General Manager, RAGT Australia

mailto:daleskepper@ragt.au

ABOUT RAGT

The division RAGT Semences develops multi-species worldwide to meet the needs of crop rotation imposed by environmental issues, technical requirements and the Common Agricultural Policy. RAGT Semences activities are focused on the major cultivated species. Research and innovation are at the heart of the company’s development strategy, with nearly 18% of its turnover invested in its research subsidiary and 27 research centres around the world.

Today, RAGT Semences provides its customers in more than 60 countries with innovative varietal solutions adapted to their needs.

This close-to-the-ground organisation, a resolutely innovative approach and strong relationships created with distributors have enabled RAGT to achieve and consolidate leading positions in strategic markets.

More information is available on the ragt-seeds.com website.

ABOUT SYNGENTA

Syngenta is a global leader in agricultural innovation with a presence in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers, so they can make the transformation required to feed the world’s population while preserving our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta is developing new technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. Read our stories and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & X.

By Mel Williams Farm Weekly

November 15 2025

It’s been all hands on deck at the Reid’s property during harvest with Dennis Reid (left) and staff Craig Cox and Richard Daniels on to canola this week. Picture supplied

North Kellerberrin grower Dennis Reid pitched Tomahawk CL against the new RGT Marsh in strip trials this year – and the results were not what he expected.

Both varieties are considered powerhouses for Western Australian broadacre farmers, who now face the challenge of choosing from more than 50 wheat options, with new releases each season.

Tomahawk CL has proven to be the highest-yielding Clearfield wheat in WA and has a grain size and test weight similar to Scepter.

RGT Marsh is a quick-mid variety in terms of season length/phenology, sitting between Vixen, Scepter and Tomahawk CL and giving it a very flexible fit across WA environments.

Mr Reid seeded Tomahawk CL and RGT Marsh in adjacent strips.

RGT Marsh averaged 3.72 tonnes per hectare, compared with Tomahawk CL at 3.65t/ha.

The hectolitre weight of RGT Marsh was 79.2, compared with Tomahawk CL at 74.6 – indicating fewer small grains – while protein was slightly higher in Tomahawk CL at 9.3, compared with 8.8 in RGT Marsh.

“We were really happy with both varieties, but – along with its good grain performance – the RGT Marsh was also noticeably easier to harvest,” Mr Reid said.

Kellerberrin farmer Dennis Reid (left) and Shane Starling, Eastern Districts Seed Cleaning Co, in Mr Reid’s 110-hectare paddock of new RGT Marsh at the start of this year.

Mr Reid farms with his wife, Sonia, and is using a John Deere 680 and John Deere 780 harvester, both fitted with Harrington Seed Destructors.

This year, the Reids seeded 2200 hectares of their 4000ha property to wheat.

They used Tomahawk CL, Catapult, Calibre and RGT Marsh across 110ha to bulk up seed for next season.

Their canola program covers 1100ha planted to Regiment XC and Hunter TF, and barley comprises 270ha of Maximus.

Smaller areas of lupins and oats round out the program.

Aside from the wheat trial, Mr Reid said they had already harvested 465ha of canola, achieving above-average yields of about 2.4t/ha with excellent oil content.

Like many farmers, he described the season as one “ridden by the seat of your pants”.

“We got early March and April rain, but none in May, only 29 millimetres in June, 36mm in July and then a saving grace of 106mm in August,” he said.

“That August rain changed the game – and another 27mm in September really finished things off nicely.”

Choosing wheat varieties each year remains a difficult decision for the Reids, who require a long-season line, a mid-season line and a specific IMI-tolerant option.

“RGT Marsh might just fit into our system as the main mid-season, non-IMI-tolerant variety,” Mr Reid said.

“It seems to have a good disease package, and it handled this year’s tough conditions really well.

“We’re definitely going to use it as part of the 2026 wheat program, but we’re waiting on its classification before deciding how much to plant.”

RAGT broadacre business development manager, David Peake, said RGT Marsh had been bred specifically for WA Wheatbelt conditions.

He said the late-season rains across much of the agricultural region appeared to have given this new variety an edge in low to mid-rainfall areas, compared with quicker-maturing lines, such as Vixen and LRPB Anvil, which can have capped yields in favourable finishes.

Mr Peake said RGT Marsh had been planted from Mullewa to Beaumont, and, where late rains fell, its performance was particularly strong.

“Feedback from around the State is that RGT Marsh has yielded above the farm average on many properties,” he said.

“With robust performance in tough seasons and standout disease resistance, this variety has proven itself over multiple years where others stumble.

“RGT Marsh is a new yield weapon for WA growers.”

Mr Peake said three years of National Variety Trials across 47 sites showed RGT Marsh to be a consistently strong performer across all WA zones, particularly in May-June sowings.

“Its upright leaves give better light interception, and it has strong resistance to rust, Septoria nodorum and black point,” he said.

“It offers excellent grain quality with low screenings, good grain size and solid sprouting tolerance.

“AH or APW classification is pending from Grains Australia.”

Mr Reid still has 600ha of canola to harvest before moving on to the balance of his wheat crop.

“Our harvest results so far have been amazing, given the season we had,” he said.

“If only grain prices were a bit better.”