Since 2003, Ioka Marketing has handled the distribution and promotion of PGG Seeds cultivars in the United States and Canada. In those beginning years, Ioka worked with Pyne Gould Guinness Limited of New Zealand and their contract agronomist and forage and pasture expert, John Snider. A shared vision of business ideals, practices, and standards made the partnership beneficial for both companies. PGG Seeds’ products are backed by years of breeding, on-farm trials, and agronomic support. Ioka saw this as a strategic position to offer premium forage and cover crop seeds to the U.S. market. During this time, Ioka handled the storage and logistics of the product line, coordinating imports and distribution to dealers and end-users.
In 2005, Pyne Gould Guinness was bought by Wrightson Limited and the two companies came together as PGG Wrightson Limited. The PGG Seeds marketing channel was kept post-merger and Ioka continued to increase distribution by partnering and marketing with choice seed companies within the United States.
The combination of Ioka Farms’ decades-long experience and expertise in seed production, and close proximity to Oregon State University’s renowned agronomic research, would soon come into play as well.
Beginning in 2008, PGG Wrightson started contracting with Ioka Farms for seed production of select cultivars. This seed included turf and forage grasses for export markets plus forage brassicas to supply the U.S. market. Colosseum and Arena perennial ryegrasses, Winfred brassica, and One Fifty forage perennial ryegrass were among the first varieties to be produced.
In the years to come, and with agronomic support from PGG Wrightson, Ioka expanded their grower portfolio. Currently they grow several varieties of the PGG Seeds line on their farm, including ryegrass, brassicas, and chicory, and continue with turf grass varieties for export markets. If a variety cannot be produced on the farm, then it gets imported.
John Snider remains an integral bridge between PGG Wrightson and Ioka Marketing. He provides agronomic support for dealers and customers, helps build market share, and facilitates seed sales. His pasture and forage knowledge coupled with industry relationships nationwide has proven to be a great asset to the alliance between Ioka and PGG Seeds.
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