Forage mixtures | Danish company DLF-Trifolium purchases Canadian forage business
A Danish company’s purchase of Pickseed will boost opportunities for turfgrass and forage seed growers in Canada, says Pickseed president Robert Clark.
DLF-Trifolium, the world’s largest producer of clover and grass seeds, announced last week that it had acquired Pickseed Canada and Pickseed USA for an undisclosed amount.
Pickseed, a familiar brand for forage growers, has seven offices and processing locations in Canada, including Winnipeg, Nipawin, Sask. and Edmonton.
Clark, who works at Pickseed’s headquarters in Lindsay, Ont., said the acquisition might increase production of turf and forage seed in Canada.
Read Also
Crop estimates show mixed results
Model-based estimates used by Statistics Canada showed the 2025/26 crop year has seen increases in canola, corn for grain, oats and lentils production while seeing dips in spring wheat, durum wheat, soybeans and barley in comparison to 2024/25.
“DLF Trifolium is not in Canada at all. As far as Pickseed Canada is concerned, they (DLF) are really interested in maintaining the brand and maintaining the employees and maintaining the suppliers and maintaining the customers,” he said.
“If anything, there’s going to be additional opportunities for more (seed) multiplication contracts in Western Canada for our grower base once DLF consolidates their Canadian production requirements with Pickseed Canada.”
Terry Ewacha, executive vice-president of wholesale and western operations for Pickseed in Winnipeg, also said seed growers should benefit from the deal.
“Their goal is to maximize the grower base within Canada, seeing we are a major producer of forages and turf grasses. They want to expand upon that and try to draw more from the Canadian growers.”
Ewacha said DLF has a small presence in the United States, but the company isn’t a familiar brand in Canada. As a result, DLF will retain the Pickseed name.
“That’s not going to change. Pickseed is a well-known brand,” Ewacha said.
DLF Trifolium had annual revenues of $500 million and employed 650 people prior to the acquisition of Pickseed. Pickseed employs 150 people and has annual revenues of $100 million.
“They (DLF) were the largest prior to the acquisition of Pickseed and now with Pickseed it puts them way over top of the next largest competitor,” Ewacha said.
Ontario brothers Martin and Tom Pick founded Pickseed in 1959, selling forage mixtures to Ontario farmers.
The brothers said DLF is the right company to take over their 55-year-old business.
“We are confident that DLF Trifolium as a dedicated turfgrass and forage crop seed company will be able to carry forward and develop the Pickseed business and company.”
