Pioneer celebrates 50 years in New Zealand

This season, marks 50 years since the signing of the seed production and distribution agreement between Pioneer Hi-Bred International Incorporation and Philip Yates, then Managing Director of Arthur Yates & Co Ltd.

In the mid seventies Philip saw a magazine article about hybrid wheat in the US that caught his interest, he went on a whirlwind tour of Pioneer’s US operations and breeding programmes. He came to realise there was more near-term potential for hybrid maize than hybrid wheat in New Zealand. Impressed by Pioneer’s significant library of elite maize germplasm and their commitment and innovation in plant breeding, he signed a distribution agreement on 18 December 1975.

“We are investing in a range of hybrid, agronomic, farm systems and environmental research which will help local growers and users of Pioneer brand products build profitable and sustainable businesses.” – Will Yates, Managing Director, Genetic Technologies

In 1985, the Yates family’s involvement in the original company ended abruptly when Equiticorp, a recently established investment bank, took control via a share market raid. At 53, Philip was dismissed and given two days to vacate his office. Pioneer executives in the US were unimpressed by the turn of events and cancelled the agreement with Equiticorp, offering it instead, directly to Philip which saw Genetic Technologies Ltd formed; starting humbly in the basement of Philip’s Auckland home with just two staff.

For the first three seasons, Pioneer brand maize seed was imported or produced locally under contract. In 1990, a new seed production plant was commissioned in Gisborne. “The growing conditions in the Gisborne region were ideal for maize allowing us to produce some of the world’s finest quality seed,” says Philip.

Over the next few years, Genetic Technologies invested significantly in hybrid and agronomic research and continued to promote the adoption of maize silage in the dairy industry.

The field team grew to include area managers located in all maize-growing areas, dairy specialists, and a sizeable research team.

Philip’s son Will joined the company in 1990, becoming the seventh generation of the family to be involved in the seed trade.

Today, he leads the management team for Genetic Technologies in New Zealand, commenting “it is a real privilege for the Yates family to have represented Pioneer in the New Zealand market for the past 50 years.”