DuPont announced plans to buy three regional seed companies: AgVenture, Hoegemeyer Hybrids and NuTech Seed. DuPont, the parent company of Pioneer Hi-Bred, expects to complete the purchase by the end of the year.

The three seed companies will remain a part of the DuPont PROaccess distribution network that sells Pioneer-trademarked products under each company’s seed brands. Each company will maintain its regional brand identity and be operated independently. Also, officials say each company will be able to independently source other genetics and traits from other companies for use in its seed products.

In 2008, DuPont purchased the assets of Curry Seed as part of the initial PROaccess launch.

“Access to the right seed industry players is important to our business,” AgVenture CEO John Cassidy said in a statement. “This agreement is another innovative approach to doing business that allows the AgVenture and its Regional Seed Company network to grow with confidence.”