PLANt breeding.

PLANT IMPROVEMENT.

Cropmark’s plant breeding team is well recognized for its achievements, consistently developing high-performing varieties which have become the benchmark for performance in their various markets around the world.

Based at Darfield in Canterbury, New Zealand as well as in Victoria in Australia, the plant breeding programme is one of the most extensive, highly innovative and professional breeding programmes being run anywhere in the world.

The programme focus is on delivering inter-species crosses that capitalize on the best traits of each parent plant species. Cropmark’s unique varieties are bred with the emphasis on delivering improved yield, higher nutritional values and disease resistance, coupled with the ability to provide more quality forage when most needed.

INTENSIVE RESEARCH.

Intensive research into plant breeding, including bio-science and novel endophyte work to increase the rate of genetic improvement and overcome insect pest issues is carried out. In addition to the company’s own in-house research, Cropmark Seeds has entered into collaboration agreements with various universities in New Zealand and the USA to accelerate research and genetic improvement.

THOROUGH TRIALING.

Varieties developed by the company are thoroughly trialed and tested on farms in Australia to assess their performance capability under varying farming conditions prior to their commercialisation. Only the very highest performing varieties are commercialized providing they perform to the company’s stringent selection standards in line with the company’s ‘only the best philosophy’.