b'Flooding and freezing in spring can not only disrupt production but also make it impossible to deliver the promised products to the market. One of the primary factors is heat stress. Hot weather can significantly reduce yields, even for healthy-looking crops.profitability, but Ukraines market has shrunk, and Russia is local-izing seed production. As a result, European companies must now focus on saturated local markets, where competition is fierce.Growing seeds is inherently risky due to factors like weather extremes, such as SWE: GIVEN THESE CHALLENGES, WHAT STEPS CAN SEEDdrought or heavy rain; temperature fluctuations; pests, including birds, insects, and PRODUCERS TAKE TO MITIGATE RISKS? animals; equipment malfunctions and human errors.SK: To secure reliable seed production, producers need to focus on two key elements: location and action. b. Communication:1. Location: Forget About Your Seed Plant and Focus on the Field Clear and effective communication among all stakeholders Many companies focus heavily on their seed plants, but the reality seed producers, growers, and agronomistsis crucial. is that seed production starts in the field. The field accounts forIf something isnt communicated, it might as well not exist. the majority of the variables that influence quantity, quality, andEveryone needs to be on the same page to achieve target cost. Growing seeds is inherently risky due to factors like weatheryields.extremes, such as drought or heavy rain; temperature fluctuations;c. Control:pests, including birds, insects, and animals; equipment malfunc- Mistakes are inevitable, but their impact can be minimized tions; human errors etc. That is why the first step to mitigatingthrough rigorous control systems. Monitoring every opera-those risks is selecting the right geographic location with favoura- tion ensures that processes are executed correctly and con-ble climate conditions. For example, Hungary used to be an idealsistently. Even well-established practices can benefit from location for corn seed production, thanks to good soil, labour avail- continuous oversight and improvement.ability, and moderate weather. However, recent heat waves duringAs part of this systematic approach, producers should update pollination have made it unsuitable for corn, though it has becometheir technological maps based on available equipment and excellent for sunflower production. Producers must adapt to thesegrower capabilities. Preparation is also keythis includes shifts rather than hope for better weather in subsequent years. In asecuring fertilizers and crop protection products well in favourable climate, companies can optimize seed production prac- advance and ensuring that all team members understand tices and invest in improving technology, rather than constantlyand adhere to the plan.battling against nature.SWE: CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THE KEY TAKEAWAY FOR SEED 2. Action: A Systematic Approach PRODUCERS?A systematic approach is critical for managing field production.SK: The main risks lie in field production. If we can manage these This includes: risks effectively and produce sufficient raw materials, we can then a. Comprehensive Planning: focus on seed processing and quality management. Producers need This means developing written procedures, crop protectionto adapt to environmental realities, focus on favourable locations, strategies, and fertilization maps. Without proper documen- and implement systematic approaches to planning, communication, tation, theres a higher risk of mistakes that are difficult toand control. By doing so, they can build a more reliable and cost-ef-fix later. fective seed production network. 14ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | FEBRUARY 2025'