Rupp Seeds Doubles Down on Vegetables, Divests Grain and Forage Business

Date Posted: May 17, 2022

Wauseon, OH (May 17, 2022) - Rupp Seeds recently sold its grain and forage seed business to Rob-See-Co, of Elkhorn, NE. This divestment provides Rupp Seeds the opportunity to focus its investments and research efforts entirely on their vegetable seeds business.

“I’m excited to focus on vegetable seeds going forward,” says Philip Rupp, Rupp Seeds president. “We have great opportunity to expand our product line, our research and our support for commercial growers. For the grain and forage business, we’re excited for our dealers and employees as they continue with a like-minded business.”

Rupp Seeds was founded in 1946 with the grain and forage division that served Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana farmers. The vegetable seed business started in 1985 with the goal of leveraging the company’s previous seed expertise into vegetable seed to help growers maximize returns while meeting the needs of the end consumer.

Today, the company continues with that same goal, except now it’s their singular focus.

“There is such an exciting story to tell about vegetables,” Rupp says. “We want to be a resource for not only commercial growers, but people who sell to farmer’s markets and their customers. There is so much we’re looking forward to doing as we work alongside growers.”

The renewed focus on vegetable seeds will lead to expanded research, trials, and product lines. For vegetable growers and consumers, the future is bright with an eye toward improved production, better nutrition, and enhanced connections at every level in the food value chain.

Grain and Forage Seed Business Moves to Rob-See-Co

When the Rupp family began considering a change to their business, it was an exercise they didn’t take lightly. After more than a year of consideration, Rob-See-Co rose to the top as the perfect fit for the grain and forage seed business.

“They provide a similar company culture and have knowledge and access to information and products in the grain and forage market we didn’t have on our own,” Rupp says. “This sale presents outstanding career and business opportunities for those involved in the grain and forage business. We’re excited for their future.”

Expanded opportunities for the grain and forage business include access to Rob-See-Co and Innotech corn hybrids and Innotech soybean varieties. Current dealers and sales managers will continue selling and supporting Rupp corn and soybean branded products through the 2022 growing season, and work through preparations for the 2023 season.

“We are excited to welcome the Rupp Seeds team to our Rob-See-Co family,” said Rob Robinson, Rob-See-Co CEO. “Rob-See-Co and Rupp Seeds share the culture of a family-owned company. Both companies offer a simple, transparent business model and value the customer relationship. Given the similarities between the two companies, we see a mutually beneficial relationship.”

To learn more about Rupp Seeds visit ruppseeds.com.

About Rupp Seeds

With more than 75 years of experience in the seed business, Rupp Seeds is Ohio’s go-to vegetable seed source. The company diligently researches and trials many products on-farm to ensure that growers receive the highest quality products specifically aligned with their markets and consumers. From farm to table, productivity and taste matter and both are taken into consideration in the research process.

Rob-See-Co Announces Acquisition of Rupp Seeds Grain and Forage Division

Elkhorn, NE (May 16, 2022) – Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, NE acquired the Rupp-brand grain and forage division of Rupp Seeds, an Ohio-based seed company. The acquisition enables Rob-See-Co to expand its market and product offering to Rupp Seeds dealers and growers.

Given there is no overlap with existing dealers, Rob-See-Co anticipates it will work with 100% of Rupp Seeds’ dealers and will continue to sell Rupp corn, soybean, and wheat branded products through the 2022 growing season. In 2023, the company plans to expand its offering to Rupp dealers to include Rob-See-Co and Innotech brand corn and soybeans, Masters Choice specialty silage, and Streamline Ag seed-driven crop inputs. The company will operate out of Rob-See-Co’s headquarters in Elkhorn, NE. The Rupp family will continue to offer their vegetable seeds and other crops under the Rupp Seeds brand, operating out of their Wauseon, OH offices.

Customers will benefit from an expanded product selection. Rupp Seeds customers and dealers will gain the efficiencies of Rob-See-Co’s operations, including broad germplasm and trait access, and improved testing and characterization. Rob-See-Co will benefit from an expanded footprint and access to additional trait and germplasm platforms. All customers will continue working with their respective Rupp Seeds and Rob-See-Co representatives, as there is no overlap in sales territories.

“We’re excited for the opportunities our customers and dealers will experience with this transition into Rob-See-Co through dealer development and broader access to world-class genetics and traits,” says Phil Rupp, Rupp Seeds President. “Since 1946, Rupp Seeds has been a trusted partner for dealers and growers in Ohio and Michigan. We’re proud of the legacy we’ve created and excited to see what the future holds in this next chapter with Rob-See-Co.”

“Our two organizations bring together strengths and expertise which expands Rob-See-Co’s capabilities,” said Jim Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Rob-See-Co. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our offerings, and to be able to share that with our growers.”

To learn more about Rob-See-Co, visit www.robseeco.com.

Rob-See-Co is an independent seed company with regional expertise, providing customers access to leading genetics and traits through the Rob-See-Co and Innotech® seed brands. Rob-See-Co also sells Masters Choice specialty silage and forage products, as well as Streamline Ag seed-driven crop inputs. Rob-See-Co works alongside its customers, building strong relationships and helping them plant the right seed for their long-term success, while keeping the process friendly, straightforward and simple. To learn more, visit www.robseeco.com.

Innotech® is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. Enlist E3™ soybeans were jointly developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC and MS Technologies, LLC.®™ Enlist E3 is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Rob-See-Co™ is a trademark of Rob-See-Co, LLC.