West Des Moines-based Newsham Choice Genetics, the second-largest supplier of swine genetics in North America, has formed a long-term strategic alliance with France-based Groupe Grimaud. The alliance is expected to accelerate Newsham’s business development outside North America and create new partnerships in research and development.

Grimaud is the second-largest multi-species poultry genetics group in the world, with customers in more than 100 countries and facilities in the United States, Europe, Brazil and Asia. Grimaud expects the relationship to enhance its long-term strategy “to develop a global animal multi-species genetics group,” said company president Frederic Grimaud.

Under the terms of the agreement, Grimaud will take an important interest in Bucolica BV, the Netherlands-based company that holds a major interest in Newsham. Grimaud’s investment in Bucolica will take place through its new holding, Pig Genetics Development Co., which will be the vehicle for its development in the swine genetics business, especially in Europe and Asia.

“Newsham Choice Genetics has excellent products and technologies which now can be offered to the pig industry on a worldwide basis through the alliance with the Grimaud Group,” Newsham co-CEO Brent Mitchell said in a press release. Newsham recently acquired Monsanto Choice Genetics, boosting its North American business.