Lawyers seek extension of settlement talks in soybean suit

By The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lawyers on both sides of a federal lawsuit claiming a soybean seed company purposely sold faulty seeds to black farmers in Mississippi are asking a judge for more time to reach a settlement.

U.S. District Judge John Fowlkes had set a Friday deadline for mediation talks in a lawsuit filed in Memphis, Tennessee, by a handful of black farmers against Stine Seed Co. A court filing Friday asks Fowlkes to extend the deadline by three weeks.

The suit alleges Stine conspired with a seed salesman to sell defective seeds to the farmers because they are black. The suit claims the good seeds the farmers thought they had bought from Stine were replaced by inferior seeds before delivery.

Adel, Iowa-based Stine says allegations including discrimination and fraud are baseless and irresponsible.

The Associated Press

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