The principle of Fruitful Partnership is very much in the DNA of Clause, Nickerson-Zwaan and Vilmorin. An important mission of these companies is to ensure that their clients and partners benefit fully from it. These International Open Days, that have been growing steadily over the years, are much appreciated for the unique occasion they provide to have fruitful exchanges between professionals from the international vegetable business. They are gathered together to share experiences, exchange news, discuss and strengthen relationships. Specialists from all three companies will make visitors familiar with the latest improvements, for example in disease resistance, yield, quality, ease of harvesting, storage or shelf life.
The focus is clearly on open field crops. A selection of fruited crops (tomato, cucumber, watermelon,…) will be shown in the pavilion. The demo field is designed to inform customers from all over Europe and also outside Europe.
Nickerson-Zwaan is presenting interesting innovations in Brassica (cabbage) hybrids. One of the white cabbage highlights this year is ZOLTAN (NiZ 17-1265). A high yielding storage variety, suitable for medium storage, featuring the full package of disease resistances. Its structure and high dry matter content make this variety very suitable for processing. An exciting novelty in our red cabbage portfolio is NIZ 13-418. A mid-maturing high yielding variety for processing. The main advantage of this variety is the dark internal colour.
A newcomer in cauliflower is NIZ 10-605, a Summer variety for the fresh market. This variety is a very good option for Summer, thanks to the uniformity of harvest and the quality of the curd. Another interesting novelty for the Summer slot is FERRARA. Of course pointed cabbage is shown, where Nickerson-Zwaan continues to innovate by introducing TINTY red pointed, also suitable for mini-cabbbage.
Onions have generated important growth for Nickerson-Zwaan in several markets worldwide. In Dirkshorn we focus on the Extra Long and Long day types, on show in a dedicated onion pavilion in the field. High yield and long storage is the golden combination we offer. In the Long day segment MERANTO is our newest Spanish storage variety (up to 6 months!). In extra Long day the Rijnsburgers FIRMO and PARADISO continue the success story of Centro and Dormo.
Vilmorin will put a special highlight on carrots this year. The brand has a worldwide leadership in Nantes carrots, and is investing heavily in research, seed production, seed processing and marketing of this crop. Next to standard references Maestro and Bolero, featuring strong disease resistances, the novelties presented are VAC 62 and VAC 63 bred for long storage in soil or in coldstore. VOLCANO adds value in the late autumn harvest slot: vigour in the field, disease resistances and strong root quality. In the early slot, MUSICO is bringing improved smoothness, breakage resistance and colour. The carrot team will explain more about the different trends in research, presenting the new experimental hybrid VAC 77 (Goldfinger), a smooth and shiny yellow coloured carrot. People will also learn more about the different seed formats developed by Vilmorin seed technologists, visiting the experimental plot of primed, coated and pelleted seeds.
On show also a selection of the lettuces: Icebergs, Butterheads, Oak leaves, Batavia, Romaines, Lollos, Babyleaves,… . Among the Iceberg varieties with full Bremia and Nasonovia resistances, visitors will notice the outstanding presentation of SKATER (ICE 15241) and ICEDANCER (ICE 16870). Brand new varieties bred locally featuring earliness, high yield, sure heading type, uniformity, stability. Their head quality is remarkable, featuring optimum smoothness, regularity and attractive colour. Next to those, processors will also notice PURSUIT (ICE 15384). Two Romaine novelties are also launched this year: ROM 20277 and ROM 20201.
Main highlights in cauliflower are SHAKARIS (EB 3103), a short cycle variety bred for fresh market, for end of spring and autumn harvests and AE 3062, a versatile new hybrid for processing and fresh market. As one of the few specialists in breeding beetroot, Vilmorin shows its unique varieties resistant to Rhizomania: Monorhyzo V1, the first monogerm variety on the market with this resistance and STARVAL, a multigerm resistant variety featuring improved bulb colour. Vilmorin now offers a full range of beetroot varieties, from the early segment to the late storage season.
Visitors will have a chance to see chicory witloof in the tent, produced with 2012 harvested roots. TOPSCORE and FLEXINE are both very productive due to great uniformity in the field as well as in the trays after forcing. On show also a large renewed range of processing beans.
Clause shows the new hybrid turnip range for both fresh market and industry. Carrot growers will be able to see the new early carrot MERCURIO, the alternaria resistant variety STROMBOLI and the new storage variety POSEIDON. In broccoli the focus is on KUBA, the new early summer variety. The full range of cauliflower for industry and fresh market is on site, including the new early CLIPPER. In white cabbage the new extreme early CLX 39157 is shown.
Squash growers should absolutely get acquainted with the new variety LANKA which is giving long cylindrical fruits for industry growers. The large pumpkin range is now completed with SPITFIRE in the medium sized segment. New celeriac hybrid ALBEDO is offering good bolting resistance and more yield to growers.
Worth mentioning further ARE the good results with LEMPIKA in the wide range of endive varieties. Frisée growers can discover the new very fine CLX 1130 for fresh and industry. On the field various types of lettuce, green celery, fennel and more are shown. And in the pavilion, where food and drinks will be readily available, all visitors can judge the latest corn salad varieties.
Date: Tuesday September 24th to Friday September 27th 2013, 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
Please also see www.nickerson-zwaan.com, chapter Events.