Monterey Ag Resources

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (December 17, 2009) – Brandt Consolidated, Inc. announced today the acquisition of Monterey AgResources, headquartered in Fresno, California. The agreement expands Brandt’s product base, geographic coverage and enhances its ability to provide excellent customer service.

The acquisition of Monterey AgResources fits Brandt’s aggressive corporate strategy providing superior representation, production and warehousing for customers throughout North America and around the world.

“The acquisition of Monterey AgResources exemplifies the Brandt vision of growth, success and control,” said Rick Brandt, the company’s president and CEO. “Monterey’s superior personnel, product portfolio and trade areas are a great complement to Brandt. We are a family company in that all employees and their families are part of the equation and we welcome the families of Monterey to our team. The energy of this acquisition is resounding and we are excited to move forward,” Brandt concluded.

“Our two companies have had a 20 year relationship,” said Bill Engel, executive vice president of Brandt. “It is extremely gratifying to be able to take this relationship to the next level. I believe that a great deal of synergy will be created with this acquisition.”

Brandt and Monterey are both industry leading companies that formulate, package and market specialty products and chemicals for all agriculture systems. Additionally, they offer a broad range of products for the greenhouse, ornamental, turf, home and garden, aquaculture, and feed markets.

“We are pleased to have a company with the reputation of Brandt acquiring our company,” said John Salmonson, president of Monterey AgResources. “Brandt’s culture and philosophy of doing business are very similar to ours and this should make a seamless transition for our suppliers, customers, and personnel.”

Salmonson and Tom Thomson, vice president, will continue to operate the company under the new agreement with Brandt and will retain a minority share in the company.

About Brandt Consolidated

Brandt was founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister, Evelyn Brandt Thomas, to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies for their operations. The company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. Innovation, technology, and strong customer service are a few of the core beliefs that have made Brandt a leader in today’s agriculture industry. Brandt’s focus is providing the products and services that give the end user the best opportunity for maximum return on their investment.

Brandt consists of three operating divisions: Specialty Formulations, Retail Agronomy, and Dealer Support.

The Specialty Formulations division of Brandt is a pioneer in the crop specialty inputs field. Today, Brandt is a diverse, worldwide manufacturer, distributor and marketer of specialty products including the nutrient delivery system Manni-Plex™, which has revolutionized the delivery of macro and micronutrients through foliar applications. Visit Brandt on the web at: www.brandt-inc.com

About Monterey AgResources

Monterey AgResources, known as Monterey Chemical Company until 2003, began operations in 1963 as a manufacturer’s representative for agricultural chemical companies. Over the past 47 years, Monterey has evolved into a leading company that formulates, packages, and represents other manufacturers’ products. Monterey AgResources is a wholesale distributor of nutrients and crop production products to the agricultural, horticultural, lawn and garden, and feed industries. Monterey AgResources has also been instrumental in the development of micronutrients for use in agriculture and continues to be an innovator in the agrichemical industry, bringing new technologies and products to the ever-developing agriculture market.

FRESNO, Calif. – June 24, 2009 – Monterey AgResources announced today that Biomite^™, a new organic miticide, is now available. The minimum-risk biochemical miticide fits in well with mite control programs, integrated pest management and sustainable/organic practices.

“There’s really no organic miticide on the market like this,” said Randy Dodds, Manager of Organic Products for Monterey AgResources. “Biomite uses a novel mode of action which inhibits the development of resistance. Using Biomite to control mites is a logical choice for both organic production and for resistance management programs in conventional crops.”

Biomite is cost-effective and controls mites such as broad, citrus rust, European red, Pacific, two-spotted and Willamette.

Biomite is registered for use on apples, cucurbits, grapes, hops, nuts, pears, stone fruit, nursery, and ornamental crops. Biomite is most effective under cooler conditions earlier in the season and can be applied as soon as mites are identified on the plants or when conditions favor mite outbreaks.

Additional information on Biomite can be found at www.MontereyAgOrganics.com.

About Monterey AgResources

Monterey AgResources, known as Monterey Chemical Company until 2003, began operations in 1963 as a manufacturer’s representative for agricultural chemical companies. Over the past 46 years, Monterey has evolved into a leading company that formulates, packages, and represents other manufacturer’s products. Monterey AgResources is a wholesale distributor of nutrients and crop production products to the agricultural, horticultural, lawn and garden, and feed industries. Monterey AgResources has also been instrumental in the development of micronutrients for use in agriculture and continues to be an innovator in the agrichemical industry, bringing new technologies and products to the ever-developing agriculture market. For more information please visit www.montereyagresources.com.