2015 has been a productive year at Magnus Kahl Seeds with the commercial release of several new hybrid varieties, the expansion of our international subsidiaries and the relocation of our head office to Coburg North in Melbourne.
Three of our newest commercial short day hybrids, F1 Red Raven, F1 Cobra and F1 Golden Orb, have been performing particularly well in the various markets they have been tested in. We look forward to offering these products and many more short day types to our customers globally in 2016.
Due to the Australian office being responsible for the global distribution of the Magnus Kahl Seeds products, the company needed to relocate to a new premises in Melbourne with a larger warehouse area and an improved office space. The new headquarters in Coburg North provides us with the facilities we need to ensure that the processing of orders and the dispatch procedure is done as efficiently as possible.
As another year comes to a close, everyone from Magnus Kahl Seeds wishes you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2016.
Magnus Kahl Seeds Breeding Program
During the flowering period at the Magnus Kahl Seeds breeding program, the MKS breeder spends four to five weeks checking flower characteristics, hand pollinating and assessing the flowering of commercial lines. These are all activities necessary when conducting a hybrid onion breeding program. When it is necessary for the breeder to enter breeding cages, flies are used for pollination as opposed to bees. Fly pupae is placed in the cages and approximately 4-5 days later, large blow flies have hatched and go to work on the onion flowers.
The Magnus Kahl Seeds breeding program is on the cusp of releasing some exciting new onion genetics, focusing heavily on the short day market. Stay tuned!
Price Check – Australia, QLD & NSW
Australia has seen an average season this year with Queensland growers reporting prices of around $14 per 20 kg bag for browns and $12 to $14 per 10kg bag for red onions. Both are expected to increase a little over the Christmas period – growers are hoping for $15/10kg bag for ‘festive’ reds!
Similarly, NSW growers reported prices of around $5 to $6 per 10kg bag for browns and $13 to $14 per 20kg bag for whites. There was some concern at the beginning of the season due to onions coming in from the US, however this did not affect the demand or prices of what has been a reasonable season this year.
