b'PARTNER CONTENTPioneering High-Performance, Sustainable Soybean Cultivation in EuropeA lthough soy cultivation is known for its many benefits including nitrogen fixation, soil enhancement and high protein content, the crop didnt take off in Europe until a few years ago. Thats very different than in North and South America, where high-performance GMO soybeans have been a key part of crop rotations for years. Why the delay in Europe? Most soybeans flower under short daylengths, which doesnt align well with the long summer days in Europe. Determined to move the needle, a new company named Protealis launched in April 2021 with a firm commitment to put legume crops such as soy on the European map. Since then, the company has brought an impressive six high performance early soy varieties to market and, in doing so, is changing the game for soybean cultivation in northern Europe. HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF LEGUME CROPS: THE TIME IS NOWProtealis board member Hartmut van Lengerich (left) and David Buckeridge, The time is right to focus on legume crops such as soy thatchairman at Protealis.are bred specifically to thrive in European growing regions, can be produced more sustainably, and enhance Europes self-suffi-ciency in plant proteins. Not only are European consumers and regulators demanding more sustainable, local, high-protein plant-based foods, these products offer excellent opportunity for European farmers.David Buckeridge, chairman at Protealis, says: I see anToday, the companys six high-yielding, high-protein soy vari-amazing opportunity to harness the potential of enabling tech- eties, all brought to market in just the past three years, are prov-nologies and data. Now more than ever, we are capable, bothing a game-changer for European farmers on the look-out for technically and economically, to drive great innovations in cropprofitable crop rotation solutions that can be grown sustainably. improvementand at a much faster pace.Because we only think legumes, we can fully invest to inte-grate breeding with genomic tools, AI and speed breeding, CUTTING-EDGE HIGH TECH van Lengerich adds. We complement that focused approach Over his 30-years of agricultural leadership, Protealis boardwith investment in proprietary microbial technologies using indig-member Hartmut van Lengerich has kept a keen eye on theenous bacteria adapted to European soils, which support the burgeoning potential for breeding new crops for Europe.growth and profitability of legume crops. This allows us to deliver He says, In the big seed industry, the European focus is stilla full legume crop solution, not just a product. mainly on the strategic crops such as corn, rape and sunflowers. Legumes havent been an obvious target and certainly haventFARMER FOCUS: DELIVERING A FULL LEGUME been prioritised for high tech approaches. CROP SOLUTIONHowever, the heart of Protealis strategy is a deep integra- The key reason legume crops like soy didnt break through in tion of seed breeding and cutting-edge high-tech, specificallyEurope in the past was the lack of high-performance varieties targeted at legume crops. tailored to a cooler northern European climate. That is exactly What sets Protealis apart is its focus on delivering a com- where Protealis comes in. The impact is already visible with plete legume crop solution, van Lengerich says. Offering new,soybean acreage increasing significantly in multiple countries, high-performance varieties is what makes all the differenceincluding in Poland where soy acreage has grown from eightfold today.to over 80,000 hectares in just a few years. Across Europe, there is growing recognition of the need for FROM HEAD-START TO HARVESThigh protein crops grown locally, Buckeridge says. Politicians, While Protealis may be young, it boasts success beyond its years.academics, and the food system fully understand the mission and From an investor point of view, a particularly attractive aspectits critical importance to sustainable agriculture. If you think soy of Protealis strategy was that the company didnt start breed- isnt a profitable crop yet in your region, lets see in five years ing from scratch. As Buckeridge explains, When the companywhat the market impact is when the technology effect kicks in. launched in April 2021, it started with an existing elite BelgianProtealis journey shows how focused innovation and a soybean breeding programme, which already had 10 years ofcommitment to sustainability can transform agriculture. As the breeding progress that had resulted in high protein, food gradecompany continues to pioneer in the field of soybean cultivation, and non-GM soy, ready to market. Protealis came with the rightit sets a robust example for the future of sustainable agriculture solution, at the right time.in Europe. More info on www.protealis.com. SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 13'