Bc Institute’s winter cereal breeders, Dr. Ana Lovrić and Dr. Marko Maričević, are presenting their research this week at the 3rd International Wheat Congress in Perth, Australia.

After participating in previous congresses in Argentina, Russia, Australia, and Canada, Ana and Marko will once again share their experiences and research findings with the world’s leading scientists in wheat breeding and genetics, presenting two scientific papers.

The International Wheat Congress brings together top scientists focused on wheat, providing a platform for exchanging the latest discoveries and insights. Events like this are crucial for keeping up with global scientific advancements and strengthening our position in the field of wheat breeding worldwide.

The Bc Institute continually invests in science and follows the latest global trends, ensuring our competitiveness on the international market. We are proud that our scientists represent both the Bc Institute and Croatia on the world stage, contributing to global progress in cereal breeding through their work.

We wish Ana and Marko success in their presentations and look forward to welcoming them back with new knowledge and experiences.

Photos

Opening words from our CEO Phd. Ivica Ikić

On Tuesday, September 10th, more than 200 visitors gathered in front of the Bc Institute in Rugvica for the “Field Day of BC corn hybrids, sunflower hybrids, and soybean varieties.” Visitors came from all over Croatia, as well as from Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to see the latest hybrids and hear the latest news.

There was much to see, with a host of new developments. The biggest change was that the Field Day was held entirely outdoors. After a light gathering with coffee and pastries, a brief 20-minute introductory speech followed, and then everyone headed to the trial field.

The field showcased most of the new features. This time, the field was designed in a completely new and innovative way. One large area, isolated with BC415 hybrid, concealed demonstration plots of BC corn hybrids, divided into five sections. The first section displayed standard, well-known commercial BC hybrids. The second featured hybrids known for BC’s seed quality, while the third showcased numerous innovations from corn breeders. The fourth and fifth sections were reserved for test plots of hybrids treated with bacteria from the American company Indigo.

In addition to these corn plots, all soybean varieties from the BC program were presented, as well as, for the first time, the sunflower hybrids ES CEYLON and ES BELFIS, with and without seed treatment by the aforementioned Indigo. Two years of testing seed treatment with Indigo products have shown very positive results so far, with a minimum yield increase of 15%.

Maize demonstration field at Rugvica

Each sector had its hosts, BC Institute experts, who provided visitors with additional information on topics of interest. The first three meters of each plot were “trimmed” to the cob, and the cobs were opened so that everyone could better see the differences between the hybrids. Besides this new approach to cultivar presentation, new white-green hybrid and variety marking boards were also introduced for the first time. These boards will soon be seen in fields across Croatia and beyond.

New signs for marking trails

Visitor reactions to this new approach were extremely positive, encouraging us that we are on the right path.

To conclude the day’s innovations, it’s worth noting that lunch was also held outdoors, featuring local roast pig and chicken fed with BC seed, along with side dishes and fresh fruit.

Until next time, thank you for attending, and warm regards!

Photo gallery

Last week we hosted our valued business partners from Portugal. The visit lasted from Wednesday to Saturday, during which we exchanged experiences, shared knowledge and further strengthened our cooperation.

On Thursday, our guests were in Slavonia and visited the locations of seed production of BC hybrid maize in Vukovar and hybrid maize trials in Osijek and Županja.

Friday was dedicated to a visit to the headquarters of the BC Institute in Rugvica and our agricultural fields, where our Portuguese partners could get to know in detail the breeding programs on corn.

In addition, we toured and presented a demonstration field prepared for the upcoming BC Field Day of corn, sunflower and soybean hybrids.

On Saturday, there was also time for relaxed socializing and a short tour of Zagreb.

This visit is a continuation of the strengthening of our international cooperation, and we look forward to further joint projects and successes.

Our business partners from Portugal in Zagreb

The Association of Bunjevci Croats Dužijanca traditionally organized the “Reapers’ Competition” event on saturday, July 13th, in Đurđin near Subotica, as part of the harvest festivities “Dužijanca 2024”. Dužijanca is a celebration of the end of the harvest that has been organized in Subotica for over 100 years. This celebration is an expression of faith and culture, a unique blend of prayer, gratitude, customs, and cultural values of the Bunjevci Croats.

Bc Institute, d.d. has, like last year, joyfully and proudly supported this event as the main sponsor. Our BC Ljepotica variety was the winter wheat that the hardworking reapers successfully harvested yesterday in Đurđin. This competition is not only an opportunity to showcase harvesting skills but also to preserve traditions and pass on knowledge to younger generations. Through such events, the rich cultural heritage of the Bunjevci Croats is preserved and community unity is strengthened.

Watch our new corporate video celebrating 125 th anniversary of Bc Institute.

After ten years of Pajdaš's domination, the time has come for a new best-selling maize hybrid in the Republic of Croatia. 
This year the prestigious award goes to BC572 wich won the close race with Pajdaš in terms of declared and sold quantities in 2021.

BC572 is a hybrid related to Pajdaš, it has proven quality and yield and belongs to the ripening group FAO 500, its grain is in the type of quality tooth. 
The hybrid quickly releases water from the grain, has attractive and long pistons. BC572 is classified as RED CORN - corn of exceptional quality. 
It is used in the diet of our animals and in processing for human consumption. 
Award ceremony of the "Croatian Society of Agronomists" was held this year in Zadar.

Photogalery:

On Thursday, November 12, the 13th International Congress “Plant Breeding, Seed and Nursery” was held in Osijek, organized by the Croatian Agronomic Society and the European Seed Association (ESA). For the first time, the congress went viral, it could be followed directly via the Internet via the Zoom application.

The prestigious “Golden Grain” award for the best-selling corn hybrid in the Republic of Croatia was won by Bc Institute’s hybrid “Pajdaš” again. This is also the jubilee since this is the tenth such recognition for this hybrid. The award was given by the Director of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food Krunoslav Dugalić, Ph.D. who was the host of the 13th International Congress “Plant Breeding, Seed, and Nursery”. Kristijan Puškarić, the director of Seed Production received the plaque on behalf of the Bc Institute.

In the explanation of the recognition, it stands how there was 443,256.80 kg of certified Pajdaš seed hybrid in the last season of 2019/20. The total certified seed of maize seed was 3,420,111.35 kg which means that Pajdaš holds about 13 percent of the market share.

Thanking for the award and congratulating the winner in the soybean category at the award ceremony, he said:

“If my memory serves me well, this is the tenth “Golden seed” for Pajdaš and it may seem like a bombastic statement but it really proves that the work we do is worthwhile, that we – the domestic companies are competitive and that we have products that market recognizes and accepts. We hope and will do our best to remain so in the future.

Pajdaš has been the number 1 hybrid on the market all these years, it has a unique image that is composed of great adaptability to all agro-ecological conditions, stability in high results throughout years, as well as the grain quality and “its famous red color”.

Winners of the prestigious Golden Seed Award for 2019/20. year: Agricultural Institute Osijek, Bc Institute, d.d., Zagreb

photo: Renata Prusina – Agroklub

On Saturday, 10th of October we attended a harvest and public weighing in Belajske Poljice near Karlovac.
Although we expected high yield results from one of our best test farmers Josip Spudic, we did not expect him to break the BC yield record for the highest yield result ever.
Not with one, but with three BC hybrids.

Here are the complete results from BC maize hybrid tests in Belajske.

Congratulations to Josip!!

…Pajdaš!
For the ninth time in the last 10 years our maize hybrid “Pajdaš” is the winner of the prestigious award “Golden seed” for the best selling maize hybrid in Croatia.

The 12th International meeting for “Plant breeding, seed, and nursery production” is being held from 6th to 8th of November 2019 at the hotel “Sol Garden Istra” in Umag, Croatia in the organization of “Croatian Society of Agronomists” and the “European Seed Association (ESA)”.

Proud to hear the happy news!