By Scout Nelson
Kansas is gaining a larger role in NativeSeed Group's Great Plains operations following the company's acquisition of the assets of Sharp Brothers Seed Company in Healy.
NativeSeed Group announced Nov. 5 that it has acquired the assets of the Kansas business, which specializes in cleaning, processing and conditioning warm-season native grasses.
The acquisition expands NativeSeed Group's seed processing capabilities in Kansas, where it already operates Star Seed in Osborne.
For Kansas growers and conservation partners, the deal will provide additional access to specialized cleaning and conditioning services for native and agricultural seeds.
“Sharp Brothers has built its reputation on the highest quality native seed cleaning,” NativeSeed Group CEO Charlie Bowman said.
“Combining that expertise with our Star Seed team in Kansas gives growers, conservation agencies and restoration professionals across the Great Plains access to both high-quality native seed and expert cleaning that helps new plantings establish in the soil.”
Kansas Facility Specializes in Native Grasses
Native grass seed can require specialized handling before it is ready for planting.
The Sharp Brothers operation has dedicated equipment and experienced operators capable of de-awning, debearding and conditioning warm-season species.
Among the grasses handled at the facility are big bluestem, little bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, sideoats grama and buffalograss.
Processing is intended to produce seed with high purity and consistent germination, characteristics that can be important when establishing native grasses.
The services may be useful for seed growers as well as conservation organizations and others working to establish native vegetation.
NativeSeed Group said growers interested in cleaning and conditioning services through the Sharp Brothers operation can contact its Star Seed business in Kansas.
Kansas Becomes Bigger Part of NativeSeed Network
The Sharp Brothers assets join a NativeSeed Group network made up of nine regional seed houses.
The network includes Star Seed in Osborne, along with businesses including Granite Seed and Pacific Coast Seed.
NativeSeed Group supplies native and conservation seed, farm and cover crop seed, erosion control products and seed-cleaning services for agricultural, conservation, land-reclamation, energy and consumer markets.
Adding Sharp Brothers gives the company two important Kansas operations as it expands across the Great Plains and western United States.
For Kansas agriculture, the investment also preserves specialized seed-processing capacity in the state and connects that expertise with a larger regional network.
That could be particularly relevant as native grasses continue to serve markets ranging from agricultural and conservation plantings to habitat restoration and large-scale land reclamation.
Photo Credit: Native Seed Group
Categories: Kansas, Business, Crops