Saatzucht Steinach

Our History

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OUR HISTORY

Steinach began to focus on forage crops around 1904 and as a result started to breed forage grasses. SAATZUCHT STEINACH was founded in 1920. Since then a string of successful forage grass varieties have been produced that increase forage yield and quality. This in turn has improved meat and milk production for farmers. To achieve this, our breeding programmes use a combination of conventional and the latest biotechnical procedures to ensure our continued success.

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In the second half of the last century breeding activities were expanded to create lawn grass breeding programmes as well. The first red fescue lawn grass variety to be registered in Germany was from our own breeding programme. By the new millennium we had varieties of every lawn grass species to cover every need, from ornamental, easy to manage domestic lawns to professional sports pitches and golf courses.

CHRONICLE

  1. 1901
  2. 1904
  3. 1919
  4. 1920
  5. 1941
  6. 1965
  7. 1974
  8. 1975
  9. 1988
  10. 1989
  11. 1992
  12. 1997
  13. 2000
  14. 2005
  15. 2006
  16. 2007
  17. 2010
  18. 2011
  19. 2012
  20. 2016
  21. 2018
  22. 2019
  23. 2020

  1. 1901
    Dr. jur. Karl August von Schmieder purchases Steinach castle and estate. The view of the castle tower becomes our trademark.

  2. 1904
    He orders the „best” paddocks and meadows to be sown for the racehorses at the stud. “Good ecotypes” are collected, selected and propagated. The first breeding approaches are developed. The “von Schmieder model economy” in Steinach becomes a popular destination for excursions.

  3. 1919
    The “German grassland movement” has its beginnings in the tower room at Steinach castle. Steinach has been inseparably connected with the term “grassland” ever since.

  4. 1920
    The SAATZUCHT STEINACH is founded and systematic breeding begins. Varieties of red fescue, meadow fescue and golden oat grass are brought to market. Cruciferous fed crops as well as other grass and clover varieties follow.

  5. 1941
    Dr. Max von Schmieder takes over the running operation from his father. The breeding operation is expanded with varieties suitable for ornamental lawns and sport fields.

  6. 1965
    “Rasengold” is the first German lawn red fescue to be granted variety protection.

  7. 1974
    Supina blue grass, a species excellently suited to lawns, is granted variety protection for the first time with the “Supra” variety. This species is still exclusively maintained by us today.

  8. 1975
    The perennial ryegrass variety „Loretta“ is registered. Lawn mixes labelled “Loretta- Superrasen” become a high quality brand name.

  9. 1988
    The Kronseder family purchases SAATZUCHT STEINACH. Norman Kronseder takes over the running of the business. He invests in the future.

  10. 1989
    The smooth-stalked meadow grass forage variety “LATO” is registered. It has been the European benchmark for persistent and yield ever since.

  11. 1992
    Purchase of Bornhof GmbH in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, northeastern Germany. The breeding portfolio and agricultural activities are expanded. The first awnless tall oat grass variety “Arone” is registered by SAATZUCHT STEINACH.

  12. 1997
    The first blue lupin varieties breed at Steinach are introduced onto the German market.

  13. 2000
    The Ballin estate in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern joins the SAATZUCHT STEINACH family.

  14. 2005
    The first high sugar grass variety in Germany gains approval with perennial ryegrass “Aberavon”.

  15. 2006
    The Agrargesellschaft Burg Stargard mbH in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern joins the SAATZUCHT STEINACH family.

  16. 2007
    The variety „Gersimi“ is registered as the first Italian ryegrass originated from our own breeding.

  17. 2010
    Norman Kronseder’s children, Nora and Leopold, become partners in the business.

  18. 2011
    “Serafina”, a late tetraploid perennial ryegrass for forage usage gains approval. With the registration of the perennial ryegrass variety "COLETTA" the successful "LORETTA-Superrasen"-series is continued.

  19. 2012
    For the first time SAATZUCHT STEINACH has with the varieties “Catera” and “Fleetwood” alfalfas in its product range, as well as a white clover “Apis.”

  20. 2016
    The variety “Arminius” is the first annual ryegrass from our own breeding program who gains approval.

  21. 2018
    For the first time SAATZUCHT STEINACH has with the variety “Bianca” a faba bean in its product range. “Bianca” is the first variety on the German list which is free of tannin as well as vicin-/convicin.

  22. 2019
    The farm Hellkofen is integrated into SAATZUCHT STEINACH.

  23. 2020
    SAATZUCHT STEINACH is celebrating its 100th anniversary with around 100 approved varieties of forage and lawn grasses, small- and large-grain legumes and catch crops.

Our Varieties