Who are Bejo?
Bejo Zaden B.V. is a specialist company involved with the development, production and processing of outdoor vegetable seeds and is Europe’s market leader in cabbage, carrots and onions. For many years, Bejo has also been an important supplier for the organic farmer and horticulturalist. The seeds for the organic customer are only subjected to physical treatments. The organic activities are coordinated by the business unit “Bejo Organic”.
Organic farming
Organic farming strives for compatible, sustainable cooperation within the natural cycles and ecosystems via the soil, plants and animals throughout the entire production process. Good stewardship, and maintaining and improving the soil’s fertility and biological activity play a crucial role. The integrity of the soil, plant and animal are respected.
Organic Seed
The organic sector strives to close the organic chain by making use of only organically certified starting material (organic from seed to plate). The Organic Seed Programme launched by Bejo focuses not only on organic seed production but also on organic breeding and organic seed treatment.
Breeding
The organic sector has its own vision about organic plant breeding. This is based on a continuous interaction between plants and the environment. The integrity of the plant is respected and breeding at a cellular level is rejected. Bejo therefore only uses traditional breeding methods and no use is made of CMS from protoplast fusion. The assortment and the parent plants used for the crossbreeding are assessed under organic cultivation conditions. In addition to the general variety characteristics, a high natural resistance against pests and diseases, good production characteristics, weed-suppressing capacity and intensive rooting are important criteria. The best varieties are selected and included in the production programme for organic seed. The suitability of new varieties is tested on trial plots in various climatic regions and on different types of soil. For onions and shallots Bejo works closely with De Groot and Slot.
Seed production
We have selected more than 100 varieties for our organic production programme, covering virtually all of the crops with which we are active. The suitability of the parental lines is particularly important for organic seed production. Bejo works to organic standards and uses organic cultivation techniques to improve the seed quality. We are specialists in biennial crops, which only enter the generative phase after overwintering on the field.
The seed production takes place on our own organic field stations and with specialist organic seed breeders.
Bejo has built up an infrastructure for organic seed production in, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United States.
Seed technology
Bejo is also actively seeking further improvements in the processing of seed for organic cultivation. Seed treatments can safeguard the seed health and protect the seedling against soil and seedling diseases. These seed treatments can be physical in nature such as disinfection with warm water or dry hot air. Bejo has developed its own equipment to apply these treatments on a commercial scale.
In addition to this we are investigating the possibility of organic seed coatings, for example, with microorganisms. Our research is not solely focused on the control of soil and seedling diseases, but also on substances that promote the development of the seedling’s natural resistance system. The protocols for special product forms, such as prime seed, are calibrated to be within organic certification guidelines.
Sales
Our organic assortment contains varieties from almost all of the crops in which Bejo is active, and is regularly updated. Organic seed is supplied in distinctive “organic” packets and tins. Our sales representatives receive regular training in organic farming techniques and just as importantly, they visit organic farms on a regular basis. They are therefore in an ideal position to provide growers with sound advice and provide the vital link between the grower and the breeder. This is important for focusing the breeding objectives of the future.
Organic from seed to plate
Ultimately consumers determine the success of the organic product. Bejo is developing close relationships with all of the links in the food chain so that it can best meet the consumer’s wishes.
Open days
During the annual open days you can visit our trial fields to assess our current organic assortment as well as the varieties of the future.
We will be happy to provide you with further information or advice.
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