Saturday, 2 August 2025
ZeaKal has announced steps to create a ’NewType’ of agriculture based on higher value and supply chain harmonization with the expansion of its Advisory Board and a partnership with Gro Alliance, the nation’s largest, independently owned contract seed corn and soybean seed production company.
“To meet the needs of today’s growers, producers, and consumers, we need a more equitable, resilient food system that prioritizes value over volume without overwhelming our planet. By building a NewType of agriculture that is more attuned to the end user, we can fully realize the value of our innovations and do our part to sustainably nourish the world’s growing population”, said Han Chen, ZeaKal co-founder and CEO.
Gro Alliance partnership accelerates adoption of ZeaKal’s flagship plant trait, PhotoSeed™. To restore value across the soy supply chain, ZeaKal is building a closed loop U.S. system to capture and share premiums from better composition, processing advantages, and improved sustainability metrics with farmers and producers. With this initial partnership, Gro Alliance’s fully integrated seed production and distribution establishes a foothold with an experienced and dedicated grower base. This partnership underscores the need to diversify farmer incomes and address consumer demands for nutrient rich crops and sustainably sourced grain.
Beyond Gro Alliance’s U.S. footprint spanning eight states from North Dakota to Indiana, its global operations provide ZeaKal with access to additional counter season seed expansion in Latin America. Soybeans with ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed trait will become available to U.S. farmers in the 2024 growing season.
At ZeaKal, we are building a value driven “NewType” of agriculture to harmonize the needs of farmers and consumers. As a first step, ZeaKal announced the expansion of its Advisory Board to ensure the right insights and leadership across the supply chain have a seat at the table. New advisors include Jim Schweigert, president of Gro Alliance and 2nd Vice Chair of American Seed Trade Association, and Gordon Denny, who served as director of procurement at Bunge and currently advises the United Soybean Board and U.S. Soybean Export Council.
