The new seed breeder network from FBN is expected to boost ROI for growers while offering breeders opportunity for direct collaboration
FBN launches new seeds network for farmers. (Credit: Pixabay/Loretta Rossiter.)
Farmer’s Business Network (FBN), a direct-to-farm agtech platform, has launched FBN Independent Breeder Network, a new network that offers farmers and breeders more options.
The new network will give farmers more choice, competition and transparency for seed options, while breeders are offered with an open-source for collaboration and the clearer road to market.
Claimed to be the first of its kind, FBN’s Independent Breeder Network is expected to boost the return on investment (ROI) for growers and will offer breeders a wide range of benefits to support direct collaboration for market access.
FBN will test independent breeder germplasm and hybrids. It offers an option for in-license and commercialisation with royalties within a defined range to independent breeders.
The network will offer access to F2F Genetics Network, which will make its proprietary germplasm available for network partners to be used in their breeding programmes. Both FBN and the F2F network will have rights to further commercialisation.
Members of the FBN network will also have access to data specialists along with massive sets of data on molecular selection.
FBN Seed R&D head Daniel Dyer said: “We believe this Independent Breeder Network has the power to transform an antiquated industry, one which leaves farmers dealing with only a few expensive options.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the power of the FBN Network to independent breeders, provide them with germplasm resources, data and technical support from the FBN team, and with clear paths to commercialization.”
According to FBN, the new approach to germplasm development was founded on an open-source philosophy, designed to empower independent breeders while increasing farmer choice and flexibility across the seed market.
Earlier this year, the company started a pilot programme to test germplasm and try-out breeding combinations from initial network members.
In August this year, the company secured $250m in Series F funding to advance its direct-to-farm services and enhance the profit potential of family farms.