WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Canterra Seeds Ltd. and the French-based Group Limagrain have agreed to an exclusive license agreement for the commercialization of advanced wheat seed varieties for the cereal grain growers of Western Canada.

The strategic alliance is expected to leverage the joint strengths of the two companies by developing and testing new and advanced wheat genetics, and by producing and commercializing seed of those products across the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The companies said they will begin field performance testing, selection and development of new products with the 2012 crop, followed by commercial production and sales introductions following performance verification and registration.

“This is an exciting development for Canterra Seeds and for the cereal grain growers of Western Canada,” said David Hansen, president and chief executive officer of Canterra Seeds. “Most people know the wheat industry in Canada is changing rapidly, and this is just one more step forward. Our new breeding partner has one of the finest cereal breeding programs in the world, and Canterra Seeds and its shareholders have proven capabilities in quality seed production and distribution. This new relationship adds to our already deep list of breeding partners, and provides another option for our farmer customers to progress.”

Canterra Seeds is owned by more than 200 Western Canadian shareholders. The company is focused on sourcing genetically superior seed products that meet end-user needs, while delivering agronomic and economic benefits for producers.

Group Limagrain, a subsidiary of farmer co-operative Limagrain, is the fourth largest seed company in the world, and a global leader in wheat and other cereal grain seeds. The company has 21 wheat breeding stations, three scientific laboratories and multiple alliances internationally. Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S., serves as the North American headquarters of Limagrain Cereal Seeds, a subsidiary of Group Limagrain. Limagrain Cereal Seeds has regional research stations in Washington, Indiana, Minnesota and Kansas.