Construction is in progress on what will become KWS Seeds’ most sophisticated greenhouse research facility in North America, aimed at boosting the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of sugarbeet production.
This new addition will enhance operations at KWS Seeds’ breeding and research station in Kimberly, Idaho, with the development of two state-of-the-art greenhouses. One greenhouse will support seedling production for sugarbeet trials, while the second will focus on research efforts to advance plant disease management.
“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.”
Headquartered in Einbeck, Germany, KWS Seeds operates its North American division from Bloomington, Minnesota. Its sugarbeet seed offerings are distributed through ACH Seeds and Betaseed.
“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 has partnered with Ceres Greenhouse Solutions of Boulder, Colorado, to design and equip the facility with cutting-edge systems. Ceres is also overseeing the construction in collaboration with the general contractor, Starr Corporation, based 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.”
The design includes proprietary heat pump technology and energy curtains intended to deliver peak energy efficiency.
“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.
These technologies and design innovations are set to accelerate KWS Seeds’ sugarbeet R&D objectives, according to Margaret Rekoske, lead U.S. breeder for 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 Idaho breeding research station is one of five such locations operated by KWS Seeds in the U.S. Spanning 230 acres, the Kimberly site specializes in developing traits and hybrids suited for irrigated regions in the western U.S. and globally. In 2019, the facility underwent a major expansion that included a new seed processing center and other infrastructure upgrades to support enhanced breeding efforts. The greenhouse project is expected to be completed by 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.”
