Everything that we do has farmers at the heart of it. We are a company created and owned by farmers and Limagrain Field Seeds exists to supply farmers with the best genetics so they can be as successful and sustainably profitable as possible growing the crops the markets request.
The story of Limagrain is truly inspiring, how a group of relatively small farmers in Limagne Val d’Allier (centre of France) cooperated to create the world’s 4th largest seed company. The farmer shareholders of Limagrain have a daily proximity to all levels of our business and are genuine leaders with a long-term vision.
Limagrain Field Seeds is unique among global seed companies to have this model of farmer ownership and leadership and it is something, for which we are incredibly proud and that we want to highlight as a key factor of differentiation.
No farmer grows only one crop and no global seed business can be successful with a single crop. Limagrain Field Seeds focus is for a portfolio of multi-crops, which correspond to the needs of farmers in all continents.
We have 4 strategic crops: Corn, Wheat, Sunflower, and Oilseed Rape. Corn and Wheat are both global crops and we consider them to be part of our identity, because they serve as the base for the activities of our Cooperative farmer members. In addition, we have a portfolio of tactical crops adapted to each region: Barley, Soybean, Millet, Rice, and Pulses.
The ambition of Limagrain Field Seeds is to provide farmers with the best genetics wherever they are, whether they be large or small. Today, through Perseverance, Limagrain Field Seeds has a global presence, composed of 6 Business Units covering 6 continents with subsidiaries in over 40 countries and sales in 80 countries.
Cooperation is in our DNA. By working in partnerships based on respect and common values, Limagrain Field Seeds has been able to achieve our global ambitions through the creation multiple partnerships across all continents, via our 13 joint ventures in Europe, the USA and Canada, Africa, China and Australia. These partnerships cover both business and research activities.
In 2020, Limagrain created 2 new joint ventures in the continent of Africa with our strategic partner Seed Co.
Broom Rape is a parasitic plant that thrives at the expense of Sunflowers. With a harmful impact of 30 to 90% of the yield and a very strong capacity to spread, it is necessary to fight this enemy.
Broom Rape attaches itself to the roots of the Sunflower from which it takes the nutrients necessary for its growth. Contamination takes place in the soil from the seeds of Broom Rape stored over the winter.
The development of Broom Rape is favoured in a dry and hot climate, present in Spain and Turkey, and more recently in France.
Broom Rape has significant genetic variability with 7 races listed: from A to G and a strong evolutionary capacity of 3 new races in 10 years!
Most LG sunflower hybrids have resistance to the main Broom Rape races found in Europe. To do this, our research teams are working on the identification of new breeds and on the marking of resistance genes.
Limagrain Field Seeds Businesses selling Broom Rape resistant Sunflowers: