RICHARDSON INTERNATIONAL SIGNS ON AS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR

Attention: Agriculture Editor

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, AGRICULTURE ADVISORY--(Marketwire - Dec. 9, 2009) - Richardson International Limited ("Richardson") is pleased to announce that it will be Western Canada's exclusive distributor of WR859 CL, a newly-developed, awned Canadian Western red spring wheat variety from Syngenta Canada.

Offering growers high yield potential and a solid disease resistance package, WR859 CL is a herbicide-tolerant wheat that gives growers the flexibility to use any registered wheat herbicide. It is rated as having a very good resistance to Leaf Rust, Common Bunt and Loose Smut, and good resistance to Fusarium Head Blight. The variety has been developed using traditional plant breeding methods.

Beginning in early 2010, Western Canadian growers will be able to purchase this new variety in limited availability through the Richardson Ag Business Centre network located across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

"We are pleased to partner with Syngenta as the exclusive distributor of WR859 CL and are confident that our customers will benefit from the consistent performance and quality of this variety," says Peter Entz, Director, Seed and Traits, Richardson International Limited.

"By working in partnership with Syngenta to bring WR859 CL to western growers, Richardson has once again demonstrated its commitment to growing its innovative crop inputs business and to delivering value to customers with top-quality products from the most trusted brand names."

For more information on growing WR859 CL, please call your local Richardson representative for details or visit www.richardson.ca

About Richardson International Limited
Richardson International Limited, a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons, Limited, is Canada's largest privately-owned agribusiness. The company handles all major grains, oilseeds and special crops, and sells crop inputs and related services through farm service centres throughout Canada. Richardson, which employs 1,400 people, is also actively involved in food processing as North America's largest supplier of high-quality canola oil and canola meal.


IN: AGRICULTURE