LG Seeds brings together experts from the sector to talk about the latest innovations in sunflower cultivation

Technicians, farmers, and prominent representatives of the agricultural sector gathered at the Sunflower Day organized by LG Seeds last week at the Castillo de la Monclova (Seville).

After the success of the previous call, this second edition had collaborators such as COPA-COGECA, Michelin, Farming Agrícola and Belchim. Five leading companies in the sector, leaders in their field of action, who provided five top-level speakers, excellent connoisseurs of the market, their trends and needs. They presented five visions of the same reality, with a common denominator: the research and development of new solutions as an engine to respond to the agricultural challenges of the future.

Throughout the event, the challenges, uncertainties and innovations of this crop were analyzed, which, with more than 200,000 hectares, is one of the main crops of Andalusian rainfed agriculture.

A day with top contributors

The Conference, presented by Mercedes de la Torre , responsible for Communication of Limagrain Ibérica, highlighted the importance of sunflower cultivation in Andalusia, which has more than 200,000 hectares, and hosts the largest sunflower oil extractors in Spain.

The Act was attended by Pedro Gallardo , President of ASAJA Cádiz , Vice President of ASAJA Nacional , and currently President of the COPA-COGECA Oilseeds and Proteinaceous Working Group , who recalled that "the main goal of producers is to" feed the increasing world production, with less and less usable land, less water and less resources ».

Although sunflower is one of the main crops of Andalusian rainfed agriculture, it faces a future full of uncertainty , influenced, in large part, by "sawtooth" that draws the production of cereals and oilseeds in Andalusia, and the growth of certain competitors, such as Ukraine.

SpeakersFrom left to right: Amelia García (Belchim), Daniel González and Rogelio Cansino (Michelin), Pedro Gallardo (ASAJA Cádiz), Pablo Toro (LG Seeds) and Juan Pablo Hernángómez (Farming Agrícola)

Daniel González and Rogelio Cansino , specialists in the agricultural area of Michelin , also took part in the day , who recalled that the soil is a «fundamental capital» for the farmer and that, in order to conserve it, it is essential to use adequate machinery. They presented their new UltraFlex technology, which causes less aggression to the ground due to less compaction, resulting in significant fuel savings, resulting in a reduction in costs and emissions.

Juan Pablo Hernángómez , Product specialist and Technical Manager of the Amazone range in the Iberian Peninsula, was chosen to present part of Farming Agrícola's extensive product catalog . His presentation, entitled Amazone 4.0 Farming Tech, revealed the new conditions of current agriculture, and the response that Farming Agricultural has carried out, applying new technologies in machinery.

Belchim Crop Protection was represented by Amelia Garcia , Head of Development and Marketing in Seville, Huelva and Cádiz. He talked about Soleto, a new herbicide tool for sunflower cultivation. It is a product of a low eco-toxicological level, which meets the strict requirements of European regulations and that they begin to develop with good efficiency expectations for farmers.

The last intervention of the Day was that of Pablo Toro who, in addition to being one of the main promoters of the event, is Commercial Manager of LG Seeds in the Center and South of Spain. His presentation revolved around the importance of Genetics as a Solution, LG 50.480 . Throughout the morning, attendees heard about innovations and next-generation solutions in the fields of tires, machinery and treatments, which will allow us to be more efficient and productive. But all this would not be possible without a starting point of maximum quality: the seed.

Pablo Toro described the six pillars that have marked the evolution of agriculture - genetics, fertilization, irrigation, crop protection, machinery and technology - although four of them are currently questioned about sustainability issues, so that evolution as of now it is focusing primarily on genetics and technology . LG seeds combine both in their new varieties , providing solutions for farmers fully aligned with the era in which we live. The new variety of sunflower LG 50.480 is an example of this commitment to genetic innovation, which already this year has shown excellent results in the field.

This Technical Conference consolidates the leadership position of LG Seeds in the market of extensive crops, and more specifically, sunflower in Andalusia, and throughout Spain. It should be noted that it has the first European research program in this crop, and a genetic base that integrates 15 selection programs, which also allows it to develop new varieties locally, adapting to the needs of each agroclimatic zone.

Limagrain Ibérica, owner of the LG brand, has facilities in the province of Córdoba , from where it provides support, both in terms of research, production and commercial, to the entire South Center of Spain.


Editor's note: This article was originally published in Spanish. This English summary has been prepared with Google Translate and edited for clarity.