Nickerson-Zwaan launches its new name and brand, Hazera, conjoint with its partner company Hazera Genetics. The organizational structure, including management, sales team, customer relations, R&D set-up and supporting departments, will remain unchanged. The new name and brand reflect the important and rapid expansion of the company’s worldwide business since Nickerson-Zwaan and Hazera Genetics were united in 2008 by their parent company, the Limagrain Group. This evolution addresses the need to operate globally under one name and be identified as one company.
At the coming International Open Days, crop specialists from all three companies will make visitors familiar with the latest improvements, trends and technologies in vegetable growing. New varieties are on show in white cabbage, onion, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, squash, leek, radish, beans and chicory witloof. Visitors will also find our successful varieties of corn salad, red, savoy, and pointed cabbage, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, celery, celeriac, endive, pumpkin, fennel and sweet corn. A selection of fruited crops (tomato, cucumber, watermelon a.o.) will be shown in the pavilion.
Hereunder some highlights from what is shown:
Nickerson-Zwaan is promoting a whole range of interesting innovations in Brassica (cabbage). One of the focus points is a range of new varieties featuring increased level of resistance against thrips, including new varieties 17-1125 and 17-1127 that also possess the other qualities needed for a good storage cabbage. Another highlight in the white cabbage assortment is Zoltan, tested on a large scale in grower’s conditions and performing very well. It is high yielding, suitable for long storage and a good option for late processing. The newcomer with most potential in the cauliflower range is Tirza (10-605), a high quality and exceptionally uniform summer cauliflower. Broccoli variety 18-181 with open plant habit, quick maturity and smooth dark green curds is also an interesting novelty. In Brussels sprouts, 16-628 is highlighted, with a sturdy plant, cylindrical sprout setting and high quality sprouts.With the combined onion genetics of the Nickerson-Zwaan and Hazera Genetics programmes, we have again generated an important growth all over the world. The complete portfolio is now ranging from Extra Long day onions (Rijnsburger) all the way to Short day onions, which enables us to address suitable and successful varieties to growers everywhere. The complete range of day length types will be shown this year. For North-West Europe we’re honouring the entrance of Dormo to our portfolio a few years ago. This variety, bred with outstanding traits like high dormancy and firmness, is now setting the new standards for storage and export to far-away markets. In the dedicated onion pavilion you will also find Meranto, a recent introduction in the Long day Spanish segment that is being favoured more and more as it reaches new markets and new users offering very good yield and excellent quality.
Clause shows a new range of varieties in carrot, like Poseidon and Priam for growers of B-type carrot for storage. Both feature resistance to Alternaria dauci, which is interesting for organic growers. They are strong, have great taste and are extremely smooth. On show are also new varieties for growers of big sized carrots for the C/D market.
In cauliflower the focus is on the early variety Clipper. The blue-green strongly erected leaves and its uniform ripening are highly appreciated by many growers of early cauliflower. In broccoli Clause shows the early classics Sirtaki and Koros, and also Kuba for early summer, plus some new experimental hybrids.
Squash growers will find new virus resistant varieties CLX29168 and CLX29072, offering all state-of-the-art qualities plus extra stability during difficult periods. Other cucurbits are the complete assortment of pumpkins, for consumption as well as for Halloween, in all sizes. New varieties are introduced in corn salad and rucola lettuce, and in endive the focus is on Lempika, adopted by many growers this year.
Vilmorin, global expert for Nantes carrots, will again focus on this species, with an enlarged range of varieties presented this year. Next to standard references Maestro and Bolero, featuring strong disease resistances, the new commercial varieties presented are Octavo and Melodio bred for long storage in soil or in cold stores. Volcano adds value in the late autumn harvest slot: vigour in the field, disease resistances and strong root quality. Two brand new novelties are shown on the very early slot: VAC 101 and VAC 102, next to the mid-early Musico, recognized for its improved smoothness, breakage resistance and colour. In the Chantenay type, the new experimental number VAC 75 shows improvement in colour and smoothness. Visitors will also enjoy tasting Goldfinger, the shiny yellow hybrid to be launched commercially for the coming sowing season.
Second highlight for Vilmorin are lettuces, with novelties in Icebergs, Butterheads, Oak leaves, Batavia, Romaines... Special attention will be given to Iceberg varieties, with complete Bremia and Nasonovia resistance packages. Icedancer, coming from our local breeding program, shows good earliness, high yield, uniformity and stability. Its head quality is remarkable, featuring optimum smoothness, regularity and attractive colour. Pursuit used in various countries for fresh or processing purposes will also be shown. Both varieties confirmed consistent results this season, with large scale productions.
For cauliflowers, Vilmorin staff will introduce 3 novelties: Idris (AD 6033) for processors, as well as Stromis (AE 3062) and AF 1122 automn cauliflower. Being one of the very few beetroot breeding companies, Vilmorin will also display its unique range of varieties resistant to Rhizomania, and especially the novelty Starval, a multigerm resistant variety featuring improved bulb colour.
To get more detailed product information please contact Mrs. Marion Vissers at Hazera, tel. +31 (0)6 - 21 58 70 80 , Mr. Arjen Biesheuvel at Clause, tel. +31 (0)6 - 53 84 91 16 or Mrs. Hélène Lardeur at Vilmorin, tel. +33 6 85 54 11 70.
For general information: Hazera Communications, Mr. Lando van Doorn, tel. +31 (0)6 - 34 65 85 20.
Of course you are kindly invited to have a look at our demonstration field. We will be glad to send you a field book with detailed information on all varieties. The field book will of course also be available at the Reception during the event.
Please contact us for an appointment at your convenience. It will be a great pleasure for us to inform you personally.
Dates: Tuesday September 23rd to Friday September 26th 2014, from 9.00 AM to 17.00 PM.
Address: Middenweg no. 15 near the village of Dirkshorn (province of North-Holland, The Netherlands). GPS 52°45’10 N , 04°47’23 E