Turf Breeder, NA

About the role

The Turf Breeder, NA is responsible for all activities related to turf breeding in North America, from sourcing breeding material, trial planning, data collection & analysis to application of candidates. The DLF turf breeding locations are West Salem, WI and Touchet, WA. Trials are conducted in West Salem and Berry, KY, as well as other external trial locations. Seed yield trials are conducted primarily in Oregon. DLF currently has active turf breeding programs in North America in multiple species, including perennial ryegrass, tall & fine fescues, kentucky bluegrass and to a lesser extent activities in bent grasses, warm season and annual turf species.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Breeding responsibilities
• Bring breeding expertise to update breeding goals and priorities in collaboration with Product Management and Product Development
• Develop and maintain DLF’s proprietary germplasm pool as well as connect with third parties to obtain new germplasm where needed
• Participate in monthly meetings with other DLF turf breeders and contribute with knowledge and expertise
• Plan seed yield, turf and special trait trials in the appropriate company software
• Collect trial data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations by appropriate means (paper, handheld computers, lightbox, UAVs)
• Plan and establish breeding nurseries from selections, varieties and populations of proprietary material as well as material from third party cooperators
• Maintain breeding and pedigree history in the appropriate company software
• Collect nursery data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations
• Analyze trial and nursery data by use of statistical programs
• Plan turf and seed yield trials in third party locations where appropriate and follow up on the data collection
• Execute practical work in trials and nurseries (such as rogueing plants, fertilization, planting, harvest, seed handling etc.) to meet necessary quality standards but in amounts reasonable related to other activities
• Tasks related to product commercialization
• Prepare data sets for stage gate 3 meetings
• Attend meetings with product management and development
• Ensure official trial deadlines are met and seeds in the appropriate quantity and quality are available for testing
• Plan and establish PVP nurseries and collect, respectively supervise, the collection of data in such nurseries
• Aid the transition from breeding to field production by liaising with the production department

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related agricultural discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in plant breeding, with demonstrated success in cultivar development and advancement
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, breeding methodologies, experimental design, and statistical analysis
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating breeding trials in field environments
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support breeding trials, research activities, and industry events

Preferred

• Minimum Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, or a related field
• 10 or more years of plant breeding experience
• Experience managing breeding programs across multiple geographic regions and environmental conditions

Compensation And Benefits

DLF USA Inc. offers a compensation plan that includes a base salary, benefits that include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plan with company contribution, paid holidays, vacation, and personal days. Compensation will be based on experience.

Why work for DLF?

We do good things! Grass is more than just a pretty sight – it helps fight climate change by trapping carbon and preventing soil erosion, making it a vital ally in preserving the environment. Grass acts as a natural filter, purifying water and improving air quality, while also providing essential habitats for diverse wildlife, showcasing its crucial role in supporting biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems. Grass feeds animals. Grass produces oxygen. Just a few reasons.... and many more!