Westfield, Indiana – GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, announced today a strategic brand and organizational structure realignment designed to better serve farmers across the United States by simplifying its brand portfolio, strengthening regional focus, and delivering high-performing genetics through clearer brands. This strategy reinforces GDM’s commitment to delivering proven genetics matched to local environments – driving more consistent performance in farmers’ fields – year after year.
Brands with a Clear Regional Purpose
GDM’s realigned brand strategy connects customers to genetics they can trust – delivered through brands that bring confidence to every seed decision with local agronomic support and service. Built on the simple principle that genetics perform best when matched to regional environments and backed by local, in-field expertise, the new brand structure is anchored by two primary Corn Belt brands with a combined 150+ years of growth and trust:
- AgriGold® – Serving the Central Corn Belt
- Mustang Seeds™ – Serving the Northern Corn Belt
To support this focused structure, Producers Hybrids® is launching to strengthen our presence in Texas and the West. LG Seeds will consolidate into the new structure. These changes will be effective for the 2027 growing season. GDM’s other U.S. brands – including DONMARIO® – remain business as usual.
Backed by Regional R&D
The realignment is supported by GDM’s recent investment in a U.S. network of research superstations, increasing the speed and efficiency of developing high performing corn and soybean genetics.
GDM’s integration of AgReliant Genetics reflects the company’s commitment to building a stronger, more connected organization that is globally powered, locally driven, and relentlessly focused on farmers’ success. As GDM enters this next chapter, the company is also transitioning its North American leadership. Brian Barker, President, has made the decision to leave the organization, marking the conclusion of years of strong leadership and supporting the transition of ownership to GDM.
To ensure continuity, Santiago De Stefano, GDM’s Chief Operating Officer, is assuming Barker’s responsibilities on an interim basis beginning in March, while maintaining his global role. De Stefano brings a deep understanding of the North American market, operational integration, and a strong customer focus across GDM’s global markets.
“We remain 100% focused on seed genetics and 100% committed to our customers,” De Stefano said. “This realignment builds on our demonstrated ability to remain globally powered yet locally driven, delivering elite products through region-first brands that put farmers first.”
GDM’s region-first brand model reinforces the company’s long-standing promise to deliver top-performing genetics, robust agronomic support, and a customer experience grounded in trust. By aligning global research strength with local market needs, GDM is advancing the next era of seed innovation, ensuring farmers have the right genetics, in the right place, at the right time.
