Series
Resistant, healthy, logistically efficient, sustainable
In each issue of insideKWS, we present examples of how our Business Units are putting the Strategic Planning 2031 into practice
Sugarbeet
Combating pests together
Sugarbeet has had to contend with not being protected against some animal pests since the ban on treating seed with neonicotinoids in the EU. We face a situation where insects not only cause damage by feeding on plants, but also transmit diseases. New methods and genomic techniques are not yet an option for breeding resistance, since basic research is still in its infancy. That is why we have to find other solutions for the time being. One extremely important aspect in that is cooperation between our traditional breeding and phytopathology, which deals with plant diseases and pests: In order to test our genetic material, we need the insect pests that can be used to attack the sugarbeet and validate the effects. We now have more than a dozen pests and their diseases available for testing purposes because KWS invests a lot in the infrastructure for research with insects. We have attained a very good standard.
We have also achieved a research goal and found a source of tolerance in wild beet, which we are crossing into our material and testing with aphids. However, it is a race against time: Farmers might switch to other crops if losses in yield are too high. We are convinced that we will have a product on the market to combat moderate insect infestation and feeding damage by 2030 at the latest. The challenge is to deliver protection up to then. |
Spinach
A rich source of nutrients all year round
The vegetable market is fast-moving and consumer-demand-driven and has a preference for organic. Our spinach offering in the U.S. directly addresses consumers’ desire for a nutrient-rich diet: Spinach is among the healthiest vegetables and contains minerals, vitamins, proteins, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
A major task in our breeding is to ensure a consistent standard of quality. In the U.S., the majority of spinach leaves are eaten directly as a salad. They account for around half of the salad category of supermarkets in the United States. Consumers want dark-green, strong spinach leaves, shapely and crisp, 365 days a year. The leaves should not stick to each other in the bag. The yardstick for breeding is the fork: It is used as a measure of the size of the leaves. The leaves are shaped so that the spinach can be eaten immediately without the need for further processing. It is important that spinach looks attractive on the supermarket shelf to stimulate people to buy it. In addition, it must have a long shelf and kitchen life so that retailers and consumers can limit their throw-aways.
The colleagues of Pop Vriend Seeds, part of KWS Vegetables, were quick to recognize consumer demand for high-quality spinach leaves all year round. We therefore developed the Spinach 365 concept and launched it this year in the U.S., the world’s largest spinach market. There are two regions where our growers/packers grow our Spinach 365 varieties. The Salinas Valley in California offers ideal conditions in the spring, summer and fall, while in Yuma, Arizona spinach grows in the winter. Our goal is clear: remain the leader in spinach in the American market. |
Corn
Optimized production planning
Up to 270 varieties of corn are propagated annually on well over 25,000 hectares for the BU Corn Europe. 24 producers in 13 European countries and Chile are involved in that. “Who propagates what and how much?” is a perennial question. And: Various restrictions have to be taken into account. For example, there are legal requirements relating to seed treatments – and no consistency in their application even in the EU.
Production planning is therefore a costly and time-consuming process year after year. In order to optimize planning, we have recently started using the open source software Solver at the BU Corn Europe. It enables us to determine more precisely which variety can be produced best at which location. The approach is called predictive production allocation. This type of linear optimization helps us to ensure more efficient production, reduce transport distances and use our resources more sustainably.
In the past, production managers used to work through variety after variety. Now the free software calculates a proposal that our colleagues validate based on their individual experience – Solver helps us, but people have the final say. The algorithm finds the best combination from the overall perspective, the global optimum. That reduces production costs, makes the supply chain more efficient and helps increase the whole company’s profitability. |
Cereals
The super feed rye
A healthy gut flora is the basis for healthier and happier pigs. Feed has a major influence on that. The greater use of rye in pig feeding has positive effects. That is the conclusion of the “6-R Concept” research project initiated by KWS and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The “6-R concept” has shown that a 30 to 70 percent rye content is possible from pre-fattening to finishing. The gut remains healthier compared to traditional feeding concepts based on wheat and corn, and the risk of salmonella is reduced – an important aspect for consumer safety. The project also revealed that rye-based feed has positive effects on the animals’ behavior: They stay calmer. The follow-up project “Rye-Safe,” likewise funded by the federal government, will investigate the use of rye in feeding sows and piglets over the next few years.
In the course of the “6-R Project,” more and more farmers became enthusiastic about rye: The share of this cereal used in feed doubled in Germany, and there is further potential. The risk of ergot can be minimized thanks to our hybrid varieties with PollenPlus technology. Moreover, rye impresses by offering sustainable cultivation with high drought tolerance and a high yield potential even under tough climatic conditions. Rye – which has a lower carbon footprint than other cereals – is particularly interesting from the perspective of sustainability. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
