Every year, Bejo USA hosts an annual Open Days event in Geneva, NY. Bejo has a Research and Demonstration Farm in Geneva that is roughly 300 acres! This Open Days event invites vegetable growers, dealers, and the public to tour the facility.
This year, industry professionals and enthusiastic agriculturalists attended the event to learn more about Bejo Behind the Scenes: Bees, Breeding, and B-Mox.
Breeding & Bejo: The Brassica Family
This year at Geneva Open Days, Loes Konijn Junior Brassica Breeder joined us to explain her role in the development of Brassica Breeding with Bejo.
Loes gave valuable insight to attendees on the process of developing a new variety, as well as identifying what growers are looking for the in U.S. Markets.
Loes specializes in Pointed Headed Cabbage, which was a favorite during the week-long event! Previous Bejo Breeders have developed different varieties of Pointed Headed Cabbage, and now Loes is perfecting and improving the varieties for world-wide markets.
Boosting with B-Mox®
B-Mox® was developed by researchers and specialists at Bejo, as an improved priming for onion seed. B-Mox® enhances the power of the seed, stimulating its growth at the earliest stage and improving the vigor of the plant. This treatment improves the stress tolerance of the plant, creating better overall health and a stronger fully developed root system.
What does this mean for growers you might wonder? B-Mox® provides the grower with reduced risks during the vulnerable early growth phase of the plant.
Attendees at the Bejo USA Open Days got to experience the B-Mox® boost through an informational video explaining the seed priming process.
Elsoms and Bejo: An Exciting Partnership
Bejo invited another leading vegetable seed breeder, Elsoms to the Open Days in Geneva, NY. Stephanie and Justin from Elsoms joined the Bejo team for the week to educate growers and the public about the Elsoms assortment.
If you haven't had a chance to try Verve, Elsoms new spring cabbage variety - there is no better time! Stephanie and Justin explained the development of Verve, along with its strong disease package and highly desirable traits.
A lot of attendees don't know about the amazing partnership between Bejo and Elsoms, and this event gave everyone a Behind the Scenes look into how collaboration benefits the entire seed industry!
Buzzin' about Bejo
At Geneva Open Days this year, we focused on another important factor in the production of vegetable seeds - Bees!
Ryan Pollard, one of our Bejo Beekeepers, shared valuable insights on the importance of Honey Bee health. He also explained how Bejo supports the well-being of Honey Bee hives and other pollinators, promoting a healthy environment for insects.
Global Efforts
Bejo has a team of International Honey Bee Researchers that train together for breeding pilot projects. The main focus of global research is Honey Bee health.
Globally, Bejo has 5 apiaries in the Netherlands, France, United States, New Zealand, and Tasmania. It is important to note, each country has a specific breeding goal. The goal of the USA Honey Bee Project is to identify superior genetics for carrot seed pollination.
Use of Pollinators
Most Bejo crops are insect pollinated, mainly by Honey Bees. A few examples of these crops include broccoli, carrots, fennel, and onion. In addition, Bejo has some alternate pollinators that play a big role in the production of vegetable seeds as well. Bejo uses blow flies, bumble bees, and hoverflies as additional pollinators along with Honey Bees. Using additional pollinators increases pollination performance, leading to higher seed yields!
Supplemental Diet
Since pollen is the main source of protein in the Honey Bee diet, it is important to provide adequate nutrition for the Honey Bees. One way this can be done is through intercropping, which provides a variety of pollen so Honey Bees can obtain all the necessary amino acids. Examples of supplemental crops include pollinator flower mixes, mustard, and arugula. Providing a supplemental diet during pollination is one way that Bejo can contribute to healthier bees!
The partnership between Bees and Bejo truly emphasizes, Exploring Nature Never Stops!
Thank you to everyone who attended Bejo USA Open Days 2024 in Geneva, NY!
Stay tuned to our social media accounts and YouTube channel, to hear more about our 2024 event!
