Series
Practical, innovative, sustainable
In each issue of insideKWS, we present examples of how our Business Units are putting the Strategic Planning 2031 into practice.
Corn
Hybrids: Less nitrogen
In the quest for sustainable agriculture, the BU Corn is leading the way with an ambitious project aimed at reducing nitrogen fertilization in corn cultivation. The ultimate goal is to identify reliable corn varieties which provide high yields under reduced nitrogen availability. These varieties will empower farmers to enhance their yields while reducing input costs and also align with new political regulations: The EU Farm-to-Fork strategy targets a reduction of the use of fertilizers by at least 20% by 2030, while our aim is 30%. These targets will trigger a strong demand for nitrogen use efficiency crops.
In our 2023 breeding target survey, nitrogen use efficiency was among the Top 10 breeding targets from the perspective of our markets. With the BU, we consider hybrids as nitrogen use efficient if they show higher stability and a relative higher yield under a reduced nitrogen level in the soil compared to competitive hybrids.
The trials are now meticulously designed and conducted in seven countries, across diverse environments, and in different soil types with about 100 varieties. This holistic approach ensures that the findings are robust and applicable across a spectrum of real-world scenarios.
In addition to testing different corn varieties, Product Management is exploring the use of various fertilizers, including organic and mineral options. This comprehensive approach is a testament to our commitment to finding innovative solutions for sustainable farming. |
Cereals
Thinking digitally together
Our digital services help farmers get the most out of our seed throughout the entire cultivation year. And we still haven’t leveraged every means at our disposal. The potential for digital tools between sowing and harvesting is huge, especially for sensitive crops such as oilseed rape.
We wanted to develop ideas for that and organized the first ideation workshop in Berlin. Over two days, we pooled all of our colleagues’ know-how to develop new digital offerings for the strategic goal of “Connected Seeds” in a similar way to initiatives of the BUs Corn and Sugarbeet. Colleagues from several European countries and departments attended this premiere to ensure the broadest possible wealth of knowledge: from research and development to marketing and product management to portfolio management. The focus was on oilseed rape, wheat, barley and rye; however, specialty crops were also on the agenda.
This dialog produced visions for the farm of the future. They were used as the basis for developing initial concepts for digital solutions with which we will be able to support farmers when they use our seeds. Our objective now is to continue working on the ideas formulated in the workshop and implement new digital services. |
Sugarbeet
Sustainable animal feed
Beet for Feeding (BfF): Feeding animals with beets is nothing new; in fact, fodder beet was the traditional winter feed for cattle in Europe. Despite the well-known benefits of beet as animal feed, its cultivation area drastically declined after World War II. However, most of the reasons for the decline back then are no longer relevant, and beet as an alternative feed – locally produced and sustainable – fits very well into the present time.
The BfF initiative aims to boost the acreage dedicated to feeding animals with beet, with this additional acreage being its core contribution to the Strategic Planning Goals. We promote the use of beet as animal feed, especially for cattle (dairy and beef).
Two measures are in focus:
We promote the concept of extensive grazing with fodder beet as the main component in countries like New Zealand, Chile and Argentina. In this feeding system, animals graze on beet fields for several months, consuming the leaves and roots.
The integration of Feedbeet (marketing name for sugarbeet used for feeding) into intensive feeding systems through technical solutions is our goal in Europe. Beet, fresh or ensiled, is an energy-rich basic feed in total mixed rations and is an ideal addition, especially for starch-based rations. |
Spinach
Samples by mail
Leaf spot disease in spinach is an issue that is increasingly demanding our attention. As is the case with other pathogens, we collect samples of infected leaves to investigate how we can use our genetic material to combat this disease. We need to analyze a large number of samples from dispersed geographical locations so that our conclusions are based on a large data pool.
That is why we have developed a leaf spot disease kit that farmers themselves can use to send us samples by post with minimal effort. The enclosed instructions comprise three simple steps: Take the samples, pack them in the sample kit and put the small stamped kit in the letterbox – and that’s that!
This active approach to collecting samples not only gives us a pool of data that is as broad as possible, in the first year we expect to collect three times as many samples as before. We also enhance our brand’s visibility and show farmers that we want to actively solve their problems.
The kit will initially be distributed through our sales team, with a focus on the European market, for the following reasons: First, we have no regulatory restrictions within the EU, and second, shipping to the laboratory must not take too long so that the plant and the pathogen survive. As soon as we see that there is a good response to the kit, cooperation with external laboratories is also conceivable – as is expansion of the concept to other diseases. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
