By VICKI JOHNSON
Ohio Correspondent

OLD FORT, Ohio — On its quest to serve farmers throughout the Midwest, Steyer Seeds of Old Fort has purchased the majority of the operating assets of Horizon Genetics Inc., an independent seed company based in Mason City, Ill.
The announcement about the agreement was made Thursday.

“This helps our distribution through the Midwest,” said Bernie Steyer, who founded the company in 1985 with his brother and father. “We got all the people and it’s a growing business, so it should help our sales pretty good.”
Steyer said the acquisition will help the company shift into Iowa and Missouri markets.

“We’ve already bought Henkle in northern Illinois,” he said. “This is the second one we bought. We’re moving west a little bit at a time, as we can. We can move further west once we can find the people and the ability to service that area.”

Steyer Seeds plans to continue using the Mason City facility with its employees, expertise and products.

“Purchasing the assets of Horizon is truly a win-win,” Steyer said in a news release. “It enables Steyer to offer the latest resources, technology, hybrids and choice the grower needs and has come to expect from an independent seed company in central Illinois.

“This will also allow us to expand upon and more efficiently serve our current Illinois and Iowa customer base.”

For more information on Steyer Seeds, visit www.steyerseeds.com