Two family businesses have joined together. Burrus Hybrids and Hughes Hybrids have created a strategic alliance to better serve their customers throughout the Midwest. The announcement was made by Tom Burrus, president of Burrus Hybrids, and David Hughes, president of Hughes Hybrids.

The alliance with Hughes, which markets seed corn, soybeans and forage products in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and Burrus, which markets seed corn and soybeans in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa, will create complete coverage of the central Corn Belt. Hughes is based in Woodstock; Burrus is based in Arenzville.

"Despite volatility in the economy, Burrus Hybrids and Hughes Hybrids have reaffirmed their commitment to independence, financial strength, and delivering quality seed corn and soybeans with unmatched service," said Burrus. "The Hughes alliance is a perfect fit for our core strategy and provides an even stronger foundation for further growth."

Hughes Hybrids welcomes the strategic alliance with Burrus. "Seed companies with size and growth are necessary to compete with the conglomerates and have access to trait technologies," said Hughes. 

"The partnership is a strong move for the future of both companies. Burrus, like Hughes, is known for treating customers well, so customers of both companies will feel right at home."

Burrus Hybrids was founded in 1935 by brothers Roy and Wilbur Burrus. The company is in its fourth generation of American, farm-family ownership. Hughes, established in 1967, also has been an independent, family-owned company with a successful history. The Hughes brothers are sixth-generation family farmers with seed experience dating back to the late 1920s.