b'Syngenta has made this link explicithow sustainability goals ripple across agri-with its Enogen corn, which containscultural value chains. Better feed crops an alpha-amylase enzyme that enhancesmean more efficient animals; more efficient starch conversion during digestion. Itanimals mean lower emissions and land improves feed efficiency and digestibility,pressure. Each link strengthens the next.says Allerding. That translates directlyFor Allerding, the opportunity is into better animal nutrition, reduced inputtechnological as much as biological. We costs, and a lower environmental impact now have the digital and analytical tools less land, less water, and fewer emissionsto connect genetic traits to environmental per litre of milk or kilogram of beef. Theoutcomesfor crops, feed, and livestock project sits squarely within Syngentas $2alike, he says. The science is converging.billion global sustainability commitment toLoureno adds that Bayer remains support regenerative practices and shrinkfocused on creating resilient and high-yield-agricultures carbon footprint. ing crops that can support overall agri-Bayer also sees opportunities forcultural sustainability, which in turn canJason Allerding is the global head, HSE, cross-sector gains. Our Preceon smart cornpositively influence animal productionsustainability & risk management seeds for enhances silage quality, notes Loureno.systems. Syngenta.Better silage means better energy useThe same systemic thinking drives by dairy cows, which can contribute toRiceTecs and Semillas Fits strategies: improved overall system efficiency. Thoughintegrating genetics, agronomy, and farmer Bayers primary breeding mission remainsprofitability into one sustainability equa-plant-focused, its indirect benefits rippletion. As Fit puts it, Its all about the ratio through the feed and livestock chain.getting more out of less.Fit approaches the issue from another anglethat of economic and climatic real- THE ROAD AHEADism. Animals dont pay more for flavour,Across all these conversations, one theme he jokes. So, creating added value is harderemerges: the boundaries of breeding are in feed crops than in vegetables. Yet evenexpanding. Seed companies are no longer without a price premium, breeding canjudged only by the yield curves of their make a difference. In Mediterranean con- varieties but by how those curves intersect ditions where we operate, reducing waterwith carbon curves, water balances, and consumption and improving heat tolerancerural incomes.are vital. If we can maintain yield underRiceTecs DSR model shows how dec-stress and raise protein content, thats realades-old breeding decisions can transformJos R is the sustainable ag science advisorprogress for animal feed and for the envi- whole production systems today. Bayersfor RiceTec.ronment. regenerative roadmap demonstrates how a In practice, Semillas Fits forage andmultinational can set measurable climate corn programs now prioritise drought andtargets and link them to innovation pipe-heat resilience, as well as improved proteinlines. Syngentas Enogen and hybrid wheat ratiostraits that reduce the resourceprogrammes prove that feed efficiency and intensity of feed production. biodiversity can be engineered alongside At RiceTec, R notes that rice by-prod- yield. And Semillas Fits pragmatic, farm-ucts such as bran and broken grains play aner-centric ratio reminds the industry that increasing role in regional feed formula- sustainability succeeds only when it makes tions. The more resource-efficient the riceeconomic sense on the ground.system, the more sustainable the feed ingre- Through ISFs Environmental and dient becomes, he says. By cutting meth- Social Responsibility Coordination Group, ane and water use per kilogram of grain,these companies are amplifying their indi-DSR systems indirectly lower the footprintvidual efforts through shared action and a of every tonne of rice-based feed that entersunified voice, making their impact on sus-livestock diets. tainability broader and stronger.The transition from more yield to A SHARED CHALLENGE Cristiane Loureno is the director, global better yield is well underwayand itsustainability & smallholder farmers at Bayer.The animal-feed discussion underscoresstarts, fittingly, with the seed. NOVEMBER 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 21'