Turf Breeder, NA

DLF North America SBU is currently recruiting for a Turf Breeder, NA for our operation located in West Salem, Wisconsin. DLF Group is the world leader in the development and sale of high‑quality grass seeds for the agricultural and professional lawn market. With a strong focus on quality and reliability, DLF offers demonstrable value to the business of its customers and other partners.

DLF North America SBU is one of our four Strategic Business Units. DLF employees are characterized by a high level of competency, passion, and commitment. In everything we do we act with respect, trust and integrity.

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 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.

Current programs cover perennial ryegrass, tall & fine fescues, Kentucky bluegrass and to a lesser extent bent grasses, warm‑season and annual turf species.

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

• Define the number of entries expected in each national evaluation cycle and adjust focus 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: 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 objectives: 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 and connect with third parties to obtain new germplasm where needed.
• Actively participate in monthly meetings with other turf breeders and contribute with knowledge and expertise—recognizing the 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 data at 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 data at remote trial locations.
• Analyze trial and nursery data using statistical programs.
• Plan turf and seed‑yield trials in third‑party locations where appropriate and follow up on 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 relative to other activities.

• Prepare data sets for Stage Gate 3 meetings.
• Attend 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 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 team spirit.
• Communicate the need for…