A HISTORIC Selby seeds business has been bought by a Welsh agricultural firm.

Woodheads Seeds, a seed processing and supply business based at Pease Farm, Little Airmyn, was sold for £2.6 million to Wynnstay Group, a £215 million-turnover business based in Powys, Wales.

Woodheads, which is more than 200 years old, generated revenues of £15.9 million in the year ending April 30, 2009.

The existing management team at Woodheads will remain with the business, managing its integration within the Wynnstay Group, a former farming co-operative which has expanded to include a retail division, selling farming products and operating pet shop chain Just For Pets.

Its agricultural division supplies feed and supplements to livestock and arable farms, processing cereal and grass seed under its Ridleys Hi-Gene brand.

Wynnstay Group said the acquisition more than doubles its existing seed processing capacity and allows the business to expand into England.

Wynnstay Group said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange that it saw potential for further expansion in the Yorkshire region. “The directors view the Yorkshire agricultural region, with its mixed farming and bias towards arable crops, as one which offers the group natural expansion opportunities over time.”

Ken Greetham, chief executive of Wynnstay, said: “Woodheads has established a strong reputation within its Yorkshire trading region for its products and service standards.

“I am delighted to have agreed its acquisition and believe that Woodheads’ addition to the group establishes us as a leading processor of cereal seed in the UK.

“The acquisition is also an important one for the group strategically.

“Woodheads’ presence in a key farming region in the north of England represents an opportunity for the group to expand its other agricultural activities into new geographic markets.

“We look forward to working together to build our business.”