Who We Are Today

Our Vision

At Warner Seeds, Inc., we are singularly focused on advancing elite genetics and providing industry-leading services that support growers, seed partners, and the broader seed industry. In 2023, the Warner Seeds brand model was reshaped. Warner Seeds, Inc. became the overarching entity focused on operations, genetics innovation, seed production, processing, and commercial services. While we continue to support established retail brands such as Kelly Green Seeds and Sorghum Partners, those brands now function as distinct market-facing labels distributed through our partner networks.

Today, Warner Seeds, Inc. brings together Research & Development, Operations, Production, and Commercial Services, fostering continued growth and development across each area while maintaining a shared focus on innovation, quality, and performance.

Research and Development

Leading the Future of Sorghum Genetics

Our R&D team drives genetic advancement and trait integration — building better hybrids and expanding genetic diversity to meet the evolving demands of growers across environments.

Key Team Members

Payne Burks – Senior Plant Breeder, bringing over a decade of sorghum breeding expertise to our program, with a focus on trait integration and elite grain sorghum genetics.
Raghu Sripathi – Senior Plant Breeder, with industry leading expertise in forage and grain sorghum, and elite parent line development.
Wayne Shen – Leader of our molecular lab, where state-of-the-art molecular tools accelerate trait discovery and integration.

Together, this team combines the best breeding leadership in the sorghum industry with the molecular capabilities needed to push genetics forward faster and more precisely than ever before.

What We Focus On

Trait integration and genetic advancements that deliver performance advantages.
A diverse germplasm base and rigorous testing to ensure stability and adaptability.
Continuous improvement of grain, forage, and specialty sorghum genetics

Payne Burks

Payne Burks brings more than 17 years of experience in global sorghum breeding, with a proven record of innovation including the development of DoubleTeam Sorghum. He holds a PhD in Breeding and Genetics from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Plant Breeding from Texas A&M University.

Raghu Sripathi

Raghu Sripathi has served as Senior Breeder at Warner Seeds, Inc. since 2023, where he has rapidly strengthened the genetic performance of the company’s portfolio. He holds an M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences from Oklahoma State University and a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with over a decade of experience spanning roles from junior breeder to forage breeding lead.

Wayne Shen

Wayne has leveraged molecular breeding technologies to deliver parent lines that consistently contribute disease and aphid tolerance to commercial hybrids. More recently, he has led molecular efforts to ensure trait integrity for DoubleTeam herbicide-resistant and PF traits, helping accelerate the delivery of reliable, high-performing sorghum solutions to growers.

Operations

Industry-Leading Seed Conditioning & Processing

Warner Seeds offers one of the most flexible and comprehensive seed processing and conditioning platforms in the industry.

Capabilities Include:

Three cold storage facilities to maintain seed quality year-round.
Packing support for internal brands like KGS and Sorghum Partners.
Custom processing for external suppliers, including:
• Cleaning and re-cleaning
• Packing and repacking
• Over-treating seed
• Quality control — including grow-outs and purity testing

Whether supporting our own genetics or handling external pedigreed seed, our operations are designed to uphold the highest standards of seed integrity and customer satisfaction.