Head of Marketing and Business Development Department, KVS RUS (business unit "Corn and Oilseeds") Ekaterina Larchenko and business development manager KVS RUS (business unit "Grains and Oilseed Rape") Artem Gorelov told the YUGAGRO exhibition team about the company's work today, the challenges facing seed producers in the current conditions, and the requirements imposed by farmers. KVS RUS will present two new winter rapeseeds at YUGAGRO 2021, as well as two new brands: drought-resistant CLIMACONTROL 3 hybrids and PLUS4GRAIN intensive hybrids.
What is the purpose of breeding for seed producers today?
Our main goal is to create new varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops, more valuable in terms of yield and quality of products, capable of increasing yields without additional costs, increasing gross harvests of cheaper and higher quality products. The selection takes into account the conditions in which these seeds are grown. In order for a hybrid to realize its genetic potential, it must be adapted to the conditions for which it was created: to soils, to climatic factors, to the growing technology that is used on the farm.
The second important factor in breeding is changing climatic conditions. The climate becomes unstable, and every year growing conditions in the same places differ from each other, and tend to be extreme. For example, drought for several years in a row in regions where it occurred once a decade, uneven distribution of precipitation, severe winters, atypical for regions. In such conditions, varieties and hybrids that have high adaptability to weather conditions and a stable annual yield come to the fore.
Thus, the main task for breeding and seed-growing companies is to have in their assortment varieties and hybrids of various characteristics that can satisfy the needs of an agricultural producer, regardless of its location, and offer him exactly the variety that is most suitable at the moment and will ensure maximum profitability. and the efficiency of the crop production process.
What are the requirements for seeds now being imposed by farmers?
The main requirement for seeds is that they must be of high quality, that is, they must have high sowing qualities and productive properties. The quality of seeds of cereals, corn and sunflower is the conformity with the declared variety, the proportion of seeds of the main variety or the percentage of hybridity for first generation hybrids. A high level of varietal qualities of seeds gives a guarantee to an agricultural producer that almost all seeds sown in the field will have exactly those characteristics and properties due to which a particular variety or hybrid was chosen. Seeds with high germination capacity, vigor of germination, free from diseases and pests, under the same conditions, will give a better density of crops and development dynamics, which will ultimately result in higher results of yield and quality of the final product.
Another component of seed quality is the yielding properties of seeds, which are characterized by the ability of seeds to demonstrate the yield that is genetically inherent in them. The yielding properties of seeds depend on the conditions during the formation of seeds on the mother plant. Often, the agroecological conditions of seed reproduction significantly modify their genetically determined crop properties. Therefore, seed production should be carried out under conditions, if not ideal, then close to ideal, in order to ensure high yielding properties of seeds.
Thus, the demand for high-quality seeds is very high, however, only those that meet all three quality components can be considered really high-quality seed lots.
Is organic farming a long-term trend?
With complete confidence, we can say yes. The development of the agricultural sector directly depends on nature, but causes considerable environmental damage to it. For a long time, agricultural producers intervened in the natural processes of living nature: they changed the structure of the soil, introduced additives, destroyed insects and birds, and used genetic modernization. As a result of these actions, the state of the environment has deteriorated, which has a direct impact on humans.
Organic farming is widespread in Europe and the United States, and is also gaining momentum in Russia. Organic agriculture is regulated by both the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Russian Federation. Since 2020, Federal Law No. 280 on organic farming came into force, which also confirms the fact that sustainable farming will only gain momentum in the near future.
At KBC, we understand how important it is to preserve the ecological resources of the earth, and for more than 20 years we have been engaged in the selection of organic hybrids. Our current product portfolio already includes organic hybrids that are suitable for both transitional and full organic production.
What products and novelties are you planning to present to the visitors of YUGAGRO 2021?
For the visitors of YUGAGRO 2021, the KVS RUS division of grains and oilseed rape has a lot of new products. These are two new winter rapeseeds. The first is KVS KIRILL KL, a well balanced hybrid for the ClearField production system. And also the hybrid Alberic KVS - a semi-dwarf early ripe hybrid, highly resistant to abiotic stresses: drought, overwintering, lodging, etc.
In addition, the company will present:
- high-yielding double-purpose KVS CRISSY spring barley variety, which held the leading positions in yield in state trials not only in Russia, but also in France;
- spring wheat KVS SANSET, which has a yield potential comparable to winter wheat, with a high level of resistance to powdery mildew, yellow rust and fusarium head blight and high baking quality of grain;
- yellow-grain medium-early pea variety CAMELION, which has a high yield of protein per hectare and is recommended in Germany for growing in organic farming.
All new varieties perfectly complement the existing portfolio and allow you to choose exactly those varieties and hybrids that are better suited in terms of their characteristics to the conditions and technology of growing a particular farm.
A significant addition to the portfolio of corn and oilseeds as well. For the convenience of navigating a wide range of hybrids, we will present two new brands this year: the drought-tolerant CLIMACONTROL 3 hybrids and the intensive PLUS4GRAIN hybrids.
Drought-resistant hybrids are currently the most in demand due to significant climate changes. The hybrids of this line are interesting primarily because they have such characteristics as early development of the root system, synchronous flowering of the panicle and cob, as well as the efficient use of moisture and nutrients, which makes it possible to obtain a stable yield even in conditions of severe droughts and high temperatures.
For agricultural producers who use intensive technologies and use irrigation systems, the PLUS4GRAIN hybrids will be of interest. KVS breeders managed to find genetics that are very responsive to the use of intensive technologies, which allows an average of 150 centners of grain per hectare to be obtained.
The UNIQUEDENT line of early tooth hybrids has been expanded with two new hybrids with early FAO and fast moisture yield. The hybrids of this brand are perfect for the northern regions where it is necessary to carry out early harvesting.
Farmers who are engaged in the livestock sector will be interested in familiarizing themselves with our technologies for harvesting silage and cornage - NTConcept (Nutritional Target Concept). Fodder specialists will advise on the technologies and factors of silage production that are best suited for the purposes of the farm.
What is the significance of the YUGAGRO exhibition for the work of your company?
YUGAGRO is an important event both for our company and for the entire agricultural industry. This is a great opportunity to present new products and services on the market to the widest possible range of customers, which is a great advantage for us, as a seed producer. It is also important for us that during the period of the exhibition, we can strengthen and expand our partner network.
You can seek advice and ask all your questions to specialists and managers at the company's stand KVS Rus during the largest exhibition of agricultural machinery, equipment and materials for the production and processing of crop agricultural products in Russia "YUGAGRO"... The exhibition will take place on November 23-26, 2021 in Krasnodar, at the site of the "Expograd Yug" exhibition complex, st. Congress, 1.