The core focus for the RAGT Seeds stand, at the Lamma show 2022, will be the showcasing of improved crop traits delivered by one of the world’s most advanced plant breeding programmes.
Visitors of the Lamma show at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC), January 11-12, 2022, will have the opportunity to talk to RAGT plant breeders and members of the commercial team about the latest combinable and forage crop developments, as well as soil health plants.
RAGT Seeds are at the forefront of DNA technology, and as the development of genetic markers and advances in technology have greatly increased the accuracy and speed at which the presence or absence of desired characteristics can be detected, “RAGT remain Europe’s number one cereal seed provider” said managing director Lee Bennett.
The RAGT stand will include a wide and impressive range of indoor crop plots, that feature innovative varieties designed to meet the needs of today’s farmers – as RAGT continue to adopt and develop new techniques to optimise trait selection across its seed breeding programmes.
New material coming along RAGT’s breeding pipeline includes several high yielding wheats with excellent disease resistance, some very promising spring barleys and oats with improved yields of top-quality grain and new hybrid oilseed rapes.
However, one of the most exciting developments is RAGT’s wheat with a barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance.
Mr Bennett commented: “RAGT is the first company to introduce a BYDV resistance trait to wheat in Europe, through the presence of the Bdv2 gene that originates from a wild goatgrass.”
The introduction of the Bdv2 gene means that wheat plants have protection from BYDV from the day it is planted to the day that it is harvested, for less than the cost of a single pyrethroid spray.
“Plant resistance greatly simplifies crop management, removing the need to monitor and control aphid populations with foliar-applied insecticide sprays while benefitting the environment,” added Mr Bennett.
The intention at RAGT is to provide growers with as much information as possible about plant varieties, to ensure that growers get the best from their crops – and the Lamma show provides an excellent opportunity for new and existing customers to see RAGT’s exciting developments.
To find out more, visit RAGT Seeds in Hall 10, stand 10.200 at the Birmingham NEC, January 11-12, for the Lamma 2022 show. www.lammashow.com