Ceres Greenhouse Solutions partners with KWS on facility expansion

Construction is underway for what will be KWS Seeds’ most advanced greenhouse research facility in North America, dedicated to improving the performance, profitability and sustainability of sugarbeet farming.

The facility will expand the operations at the KWS Seeds breeding and research station in Kimberly, Idaho, with the construction of two greenhouse facilities. One of the greenhouse facilities will be committed to seedling production for sugarbeet trialing, and the other will focus on research to improve control of plant disease.

“This project is breaking new ground into the future of sugarbeet research and seed development and marks another milestone in our commitment to the sugarbeet industry and innovation that spans more than 160 years,” said Breanne Stowell, senior station manager of KWS Seeds. “This forward-looking facility will set a new standard by utilizing ultramodern technology. It will play a large part in the development of improved varieties and find agronomic solutions for the challenges that sugarbeet producers face in their crop production. For producers, they will see the benefits of more sustainable, resilient and productive agriculture on their farms.”

Plant breeding company KWS Seeds, headquartered in Einbeck, Germany, has its North American operations based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The sugarbeet seed varieties are marketed through ACH Seeds and Betaseed seed companies.

“We’ll be able to replicate conditions needed for seed development with the innovative vernalization chambers,” Stowell said. “By pulling up a dashboard, we’ll be able to regulate temperature and humidity to precise set points, reduce light pollution at night and improve direct sunlight for the plants in four separate zones. Through these innovative technologies, our researchers will be able to control a range of climate conditions for precise and efficient seed R&D — all while reducing energy use and our carbon footprint.”

The company is working with Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, based in Boulder, Colorado, to design the technologically advanced facility and install the high-tech equipment and systems. Ceres is also managing the construction project, working with the general contractor, Starr Corporation in Twin Falls, Idaho.

“A key focus of the project is achieving precision climate control for both seedling production and testing,” said Ceres CEO Chris Uhlig. “To achieve that, the facility incorporates several innovative design elements that set it apart as a futuristic example of seed research.”

Proprietary heat pump systems and energy curtains designed for maximum energy efficiency are among the design elements.

“Another unique feature is the facility will utilize the Ceres SunSense automation system, which uses advanced algorithms and sensors to maintain optimal growing conditions by controlling greenhouse systems based on real-time environmental data,” Uhlig said.

The technologies, design and automation developed by Ceres will advance KWS Seeds’ research and development goals for sugarbeets, said Margaret Rekoske, lead breeder for the U.S. with KWS Seeds.

“Our company’s innovative and comprehensive research program is based on our strong world-class germplasm, and this new state-of-the-art facility will help us optimize our research efforts,” Rekoske said. “We will be able to enhance the seed production process, bringing next-generation hybrids to the market with more precision, better disease tolerance and improved crop yields, and that all leads to greater economic gains for the growers and industry.”

“We will expand our disease trialing efforts to identify and select disease resistance traits to develop new disease-resistant hybrids, focusing on Curly Top and Rhizoctonia diseases as well as advancing our herbicide-tolerant programs,” Rekoske added.

The KWS Seeds breeding research station in Idaho is one of five breeding research stations in the United States. The 230-acre research site in Idaho is dedicated to trait and hybrid development for irrigated markets in the western U.S. and around the world. KWS expanded its research capabilities at Kimberly in 2019 with investments that featured a new seed processing facility and other new buildings to increase plant research capabilities in breeding. The new greenhouse project is scheduled to be completed in April 2026.

“We’re devoted to a sustainable future of agriculture and leading the way with future-forward research and technology to develop high-performing sugarbeet seed varieties,” Stowell said. “This new research greenhouse project is an investment in that future for sugarbeet growers. It’s also an investment in the community of Kimberly, representing our commitment to be an important contributor to the future of the area.”