28 / SEEDWORLD.COM FEBRUARY 2019 WE ARE CITIZENS OF the world, meet- ing different people in different cultures. We listen as they share their challenges and struggles to maintain their breeding data only to find it is not available as they need it. Every company that we meet has some type of solution in place for record- ing and managing breeding information. Only a few have a modern solution that actually works. Many existing solutions are cumbersome and have been a frustration for their users for years. Perhaps the origi- nal data was not presented correctly or too many naming mistakes have occurred over time when different researchers are involved. This can lead to the painful conclusion that it is easy to make a mess out of quality breeding data. These bad experiences have left marks on users who now doubt that a new software implemen- tation can actually end well. It is genuinely difficult to find sophis- ticated and well-designed solutions to provide the information, management guidelines and support needed to answer the unexpected, out-of-the box questions that science often presents. Looking horizontally at breeding compa- nies of the world emphasizes the technolog- ical gap between where we are and where we want to be. There are already many innovative IT solutions being offered but few are being adopted and implemented. Our industry is quickly developing new technologies and solutions: advanced GMO methods, CRISPR, new legislations, emerging crops, new breeding intelligence algorithms, precision agriculture, social networks of genes and more. Increasingly large amounts of data are being collected by devices and less by man. Pictures col- lected by drones allow extracting pheno- typic observations. Data sources sensors, robots, and seed counting and phenotyp- ing machines can record, filter and analyze mega data. System recommendations for parent combinations to cross, irrigation, chemical treatments, storing conditions, propagation, weather forecasts, algo- rithms providing roadmaps etc. all aiming to help creating next generation supreme products. In the future, data will stream from all those sources and be collected by one core breeding software solution. Knowing this is where agriculture is headed, it is clear that anyone involved with plant research must be preparing for this near-future reality and implement qual- ity software than can interface different input sources simultaneously to backup and support data collection and breeding operations. Is Breeding Stuck or Moving Forward? INBAR STERN, PHENOME VP SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT inbar@phenome-networks.com • phenome-networks.com WHAT IF YOU could create the perfect seed? What would its characteristics be? In what ways would you enhance that seed? What if you could choose the char- acteristics that add value to that seed? It’s important to take time to dream about— to conceptualize—your perfect seed. You can choose and develop the char- acteristics of the seed end-users will value. For example, what do you want to add to the seed, how do you want the seed to behave, and what kind of value are you offering your customers and why? Also, what do you want to do with the seed—do you want to make it easier to plant with planting equipment by devel- oping a harder, more durable pellet? Or, do you need to add weight to a vegetable seed, so it can’t be carried away by the wind when seeding? If you want to add color to the seed, what color should you choose, how shiny do you want it and why? Do you want to add micronutrients to the seed to help it grow faster and stronger? In short, what value do you want to add to the seed? By spending time devising the seed’s characteristics, you will develop a unique product for the marketplace. A useful tool to help you make one-of- a-kind products is a sophisticated seed coater. By owning your own equipment and finishing your product in-house, you have creative control over your goods— and the sky is truly the limit for your market development. If you process your seed in-house, you can decide how to develop the value of your product. You also have control over processing and delivery schedules. Your seed processing costs will be lower, and you’ll experience increased efficiencies. In addition, you will own your equip- ment, seed processing methods and recipes, and there is a high and rapid return on investment. At NoroGard, we see the future in seed innovations and now also provide the knowledge and expertise required to train your staff on site and to develop methods and recipes for your unique products. With these tools to hand, you can make the most of your product and create a seed no one can say no to. The Sky’s the Limit KETTY NILSSON NOROGARD PRESIDENT @NoroGardAB • Ketty@NoroGard.com • NoroGard.com