Turf Breeder, NA

About the job

The Turfgrass Breeder is responsible for all activities related to turf breeding in North America, from sourcing breeding material, trial planning, data collection & analysis to application of candidates. The DLF turf breeding locations are West Salem, WI and Touchet, WA. Trials are conducted in West Salem and Berry, KY, as well as other external trial locations. Seed yield trials are conducted primarily in Oregon.

DLF currently has active turf breeding programs in North America in multiple species, including perennial ryegrass, tall & fine fescues, kentucky bluegrass and to a lesser extent activities in bent grasses, warm season and annual turf species.

R&D Breeding Station – West Salem, WI, USA. (Touchet WA possible under special circumstances). This position is expected to be on‑site the majority of working hours.

• Together with the business, define the appropriate number of entries expected in each national evaluation cycle and adjust the focus and activities on species according to projected business needs.
• Scale program size in each species to deliver the expected number of candidates in national trials, including NTEP, A‑list and European official testing.
• Bring breeding expertise to update breeding goals and priorities in collaboration with Product Management and Product Development.
• Main breeding objectives are:
  Turf quality, seed yield, resistance to most common pests and diseases, tolerance to most common abiotic stresses.
• Testing, maintenance & development of high endophyte populations in the relevant species.
• Secondary breeding objective are: performance under low fertility, chemical tolerance.
• Critically challenge the breeding program and drive it forward to success.
• Develop and maintain DLF’s proprietary germplasm pool as well as connect with third parties to obtain new germplasm where needed.
• Actively participate in monthly meetings with other DLF turf breeders and contribute with knowledge and expertise – recognize the turf breeding team is spread across time zones.

• Plan seed yield, turf and special trait trials in the appropriate company software.
• Collect trial data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations by appropriate means (paper, handheld computers, lightbox, UAVs).
• Plan and establish breeding nurseries from selections, varieties and populations of proprietary material as well as material from third‑party cooperators. Maintain breeding and pedigree history in the appropriate company software.
• Collect nursery data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations.
• Analyze trial and nursery data by use of statistical programs.
• Plan turf and seed yield trials in third‑party locations where appropriate and follow up on the data collection.
• Execute practical work in trials and nurseries (such as rogueing plants, fertilization, planting, harvest, seed handling etc.) to meet necessary quality standards but in amounts reasonable related to other activities.

• Prepare data sets for stage gate 3 meetings.
• Attending meetings with product management and development.
• Ensure official trial deadlines are met and seeds in the appropriate quantity and quality are available for testing.
• Plan and establish PVP nurseries and collect, respectively supervise, the collection of data in such nurseries.
• Ensure the accuracy of the documentation for variety applications and meet submission deadlines.
• Aid the transition from breeding to field production by liaising with the production department.

• Be an active member of the local team and positively contribute to the team spirit.
• Communicate the need for equipment and labor needed to deliver required results and quality standards to the trial excellence managers and head of breeding.
• Aid training full‑time staff as well as casual employees when necessary.
• Partner with Product Management to ensure customers visiting trials receive a compelling message regarding our final products and breeding activities.
• Participate in field days and seed camps.