News
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2025-03-17
Cooperation between private and public actors – the development of important Nordic crops continues
Four projects are active within the Nordic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for pre-breeding. Read more here about what has happened since these projects started.
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2025-02-25
Dedicated genebank staff saves Sudan seeds amid civil war – deposit seeds in Svalbard Global Seed Vault
This week, seeds from 20 genebanks were secured in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Among the boxes carried into the seed vault were seeds rescued from the conflict in Sudan.
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2025-02-23
Spring approaches: NordGen's webshop opens on March 3
The opening of NordGen's online shop is a long-awaited sign of spring. On March 3rd we open the doors of the digital shop!
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2025-02-19
New project to raise awareness of forgotten crops
Underutilised crops are being highlighted in the collaborative project FUnCrop .
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2025-01-20
New NordGen Executive Director takes office in March
Lene Krøl Andersen will take office as the new Executive Director of the Nordic Genetic Resource Centre (NordGen) on March 15, 2025. The new director, who has a strong management profile in the world of science, has a vision of strengthening NordGen as a leading centre for genetic diversity in agriculture, forestry and livestock. Her role involves building upon NordGen’s already strong position as a genebank and knowledge centre for genetic resources.
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2024-12-15
The annual forest scholarship from NordGen and SNS is now open for applications
The forest scholarship is open for applications until February 15, 2025. Read more here about three scholarship holders from 2024.
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2024-12-03
Faroe Islands Granted Full Membership on NordGen Board
After years of participation as observers, the Faroese national government has officially been granted full membership on the NordGen Board. This decision follows decades of fruitful collaboration between the Faroe Islands and NordGen.
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2024-11-14
Ukraine adopts strategy to save crop diversity
Since the escalation of the war in 2022, the Ukrainian genebank system, which conserves thousands of unique plant varieties, has suffered great losses. Now, a comprehensive strategy sets out a plan for the systems’ restoration, further development and sustainable future.
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2024-10-23
Extensive deposit in the Seed Vault secures valuable assets – for the future and in times of crisis
On Tuesday, October 22, more than 30,000 seed samples from 23 genebanks were secured in Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
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2024-10-22
NordGen raises awareness of genebanks’ importance for biodiversity at COP16 in Colombia
The COP16 of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is currently taking place in Cali, and NordGen staff are there to partake in discussions on how to halt the global loss of biodiversity.
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2024-09-19
Forest regeneration in the north focal point at the annual NordGen Forest Conference in Rovaniemi
Close to 60 people participated during NordGen Forest Conference 2024 that took place in Rovaniemi, Finland, 18 to 19 September.
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2024-07-02
Possible future CWR reserves? Inventories in Denmark and Åland show areas rich in valuable genetic resources
According to two recent inventory reports, several areas in Åland and Denmark would be suitable as CWR genetic reserves.
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2024-06-28
NordGen releases detailed report on the status of equine breeds in the Nordic countries
What is the status, challenges and opportunities related to the horse breeds across the Nordic countries? Read the report "Equines in the Nordics" - the first collective effort to document and evaluate the Nordic equine sector.
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2024-06-19
NordGen’s role for resilience raised at Nordic ministers meeting
Genetic resources are at risk in times of war and crises, but they are also a tool for resilience and readiness. This was discussed in Karlstad, Sweden, as Nordic ministers met for their annual summer meeting.
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2024-05-06
Potential for versatile crop – NordGen’s investment in flax continues as over 400 varieties are sown
Flax is a crop with many uses that is suitable for cultivation in the Nordic Region. Hopefully NordGen’s flax projects can increase interest for the crop.
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2024-04-30
International committee takes on plan to develop and secure the Ukrainian genebank for the future
NordGen hosted a meeting with the Ukrainian genebank and several international experts to find a way forward for securing Ukraine’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, which are at risk due to the war.
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2024-03-27
New action plan presents concrete measures to save the Faroese Horse
Native to the Faroe Islands, the Faroese Horse has roots that can be traced back to more than 1 000 years ago. Suggestions on concrete measures for saving the threatened breed for the future are now described in a newly published Action Plan for the Conservation of the Faroese Horse.
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2024-02-27
Largest number of new genebanks depositing seeds to the Seed Vault since its opening
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault currently holds more than 1,2 million seed samples, acting as a backup facility for seed genebanks throughout the world. Today, the number of samples increased by over 12 000 as NordGen deposited seeds from 23 genebanks.
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2024-02-22
Pine and Broadleaved Trees in Focus When NordGen Arranged a Forest Thematic Day in Norway
About 60 persons participated during the thematic day in Ås, Norway.
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2024-02-09
40 years of Nordic collaboration on farm animals marked with conference
NordGen Farm Animals Conference marked 40 years of Nordic collaboration within farm animal genetic resources.
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2024-01-16
Four PPP Projects Recently Granted – Enabling Progress in Spring Wheat, Oats, Potatoes and Berries
The granted collaborative projects for the sixth round of PPP-funding will generate important knowledge that will benefit Nordic agriculture.
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2023-12-13
NordGen helps the Ukrainian national genebank to secure their invaluable seed collections from the war
Recently, Ukrainian genebank staff visited NordGen's headquarters in Alnarp to attend training sessions in data management systems and seed laboratory work.
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2023-11-24
Updated Nordic approach on access and rights to genetic resources presented at FAO in Rome
NordGen participated in the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture this week. The meeting took place at FAO's head quarter in Rome.
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2023-11-03
The Importance of Wild Plant Species for Food Security in Focus During Workshop – Actions Are Needed to Conserve the Crop Wild Relatives
Conservation efforts for crop wild relatives are required – and it is urgent.
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2023-10-03
NordGen Granted Million-Dollar Project to Increase Knowledge About Plant-Based Protein Sources
The project focuses on 4500 protein crops from the Nordic seed collection, such as peas, beans, lentils, and clover, that will be genotyped and phenotyped.
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2023-09-12
Proper material in forest regeneration required – New statistics report from NordGen on Nordic forest seeds and plants
Access to comprehensible statistics is important for Nordic cooperation and understanding of the development of forestry.
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2023-09-07
Tree species selection and climate change adaptation highlighted during NordGen’s forest conference
About a hundred persons participated when the forest conference was arranged in Ringsted, Denmark.
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2023-07-20
Access and rights to genetic resources and cryoconservation highlighted when NordGen attended in a FAO meeting
NordGen attended the nineteenth regular session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
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2023-06-22
Nordic ministers updated on expert report about genetic resources
NordGen was attending the annual summer meeting of the Nordic ministers for forestry, agriculture, fisheries and food. Among other things, the ministers were informed about a new report on access and rights to genetic resources.
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2023-05-09
Unique collaboration gathers new knowledge about the Nordic oat collection – Nearly 800 oat varieties to be characterized
To gain more knowledge about the cultivation traits of the Nordic oat varieties, NordGen collaborates with several actors in an ongoing project.
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2023-05-03
Crucial genebank collection in Ukraine moved to safe location far from the war
NordGen coordinated emergency support to the genebank in Charkiv when the war started. Now, the entire collection has been successfully moved to a safe location.
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2023-04-18
Workshop stressed the urgent need of conserving animal genetic resources
What does a pig in southern Sweden have in common with a goat off the Norwegian coast and a cow in northern Finland? It might sound as the start of a joke, but the answer isn’t funny.
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2023-03-30
Reduced imports and preserved cultural heritage are important driving forces in new projects on cut flowers and Garden Angelica
This summer, 20 cut flower varieties from NordGen will be test cultivated in four Nordic countries.
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2023-02-28
Four new genebanks deposited seeds for the first time as the Seed Vault’s 15th anniversary was marked
During the Vault's first 15 years, backup copies of more than 1.2 million seed samples from almost 100 different genebanks have been secured in Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
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2023-02-02
Plant genetic resources and challenges in plant breeding in focus during the NordGen PPP Conference
During two days, researchers and professionals working with genetic resources and plant breeding gather for a knowledge exchange within a Nordic context.
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2022-12-15
NordGen coordinates project on joint Nordic view on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources
Right now, world leaders are gathering in Montreal to reach an agreement on how to stop the biodiversity loss. NordGen is currently leading a project which will gather the Nordic view on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources.
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2022-12-06
CWR inventories can contribute to conservation of important plant species in the Nordic Region
Inventory reports from Iceland and Sweden gives an indication of the current status of the crop wild relatives and describes some of the threats they may face.
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2022-10-12
Advisory Panel to the Seed Vault Meet at Svalbard as Seeds from 14 Genebanks in Five Continents are Being Deposited
This week, NordGen carries 45 000 seeds from 14 of the world's genebanks into the Seed Vault. The International Advisory Panel to the Seed Vault is also convening.
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2022-10-10
Unique Collaboration Brings Academia and Private Actors Together to Improve the Nordic Potato Breeding
More than 300 potato varieties are part of the SustainPotato project, which aims to develop more robust and competitive Nordic potato varieties.
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2022-09-28
New DNA Research Reveals the Origins of Northern Native Breeds
Ancient DNA can tell a lot about the animals and what they were like in ancient times. The historical DNA samples come from cattle that grazed the Northern forest meadows hundreds of years ago.
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2022-09-23
Professor Charlotte Kroløkke Investigates Human-animal Bonds
Within the cross-disciplinary 3MC project, professor Charlotte Kroløkke studies how human-animal relationships emerge. Her work can help create an understanding of genetic resources as forms of cultural heritage that are valuable for the future.
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2022-09-22
NordGen Participates in International Session on Plant Genetic Resources
Representatives from NordGen are currently in India participating in the Governing Body session of the International Plant Treaty. Important but complex issues are at the agenda.
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2022-09-14
Mapping of Nordic Horses will Contribute to Improved Conservation Efforts for Threatened Breeds
New project will gather knowledge for future development of conservation plans for the Nordic horse breeds.
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2022-09-02
Where Facts and Fiction Meet: Happy Cows Are the Key to Success in New Innovative Farm Survival Game
Fact and fiction meet in the game application Nordic Cows, which is based on information from folk tales, historical sources and pedigrees.
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2022-08-31
Forest Genetic Diversity Key to Success When Iceland Invests in Forest Tree Planting
NordGen Forest Working Group on Genetic Resources visited Iceland and gained more knowledge about the countrys special conditions for forestry.
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2022-08-05
New Research on the Faroese Horse
The Faroese horse is considered critically endangered, and NordGen has for many years worked to take care of the unique breed. Recently, a study about opportunities for conservation of the breed has been published.
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2022-06-16
Seeds from All the Nordic and Baltic Countries are Now Backed-Up at Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Lithuania has sent its first shipment of seeds for backup in Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
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2022-06-07
National Coordinators from 30 European Countries Meet in Sweden to Discuss Strategy for Plant Genetic Resources
On 7-9 June, the European network ECPGR will meet at NordGen, one of its partners, to discuss the implementation of the strategy.
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2022-06-03
Auli Bläuer and the Worlds of Old Bones
Old bones of Nordic mountain cattle are the subject of Auli Bläuer’s research in the cross-disciplinary project “3MC – Nordic Mountain Cattle”, which is led by NordGen.
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2022-05-17
FAO and NordGen in Collaboration on a Cryoconservation Webinar Series
The first webinar of ten on cryoconservation of animal genetic resources will take place on 18 May.
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2022-05-16
Where the Nordic Mountain Cattle Are Given a Voice
Knowledge transfer is an important part of the cross-disciplinary 3MC project. Recently, a seminar, which was arranged in collaboration with the Museum of Torne Valley, was organized to increase awareness of Nordic mountain cattle.
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2022-04-07
Cross-disciplinary Project Showcases Findings at Museum Exhibition – Increased Awareness About Endangered Nordic Mountain Cattle
Den 8 april öppnar en ny utställning med det tvärvetenskapliga 3MC-projektet, som leds av NordGen.
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2022-04-04
New Knowledge Center for Biodiversity in Agriculture and Forestry Inaugurated by Nordic Ministers
Sweden's Minister for Rural Affairs, Anna-Caren Sätherberg, and two Nordic colleagues attended when NordGen's new head office and knowledge center was inaugurated in Alnarp.
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2022-03-14
Potato Backup Inaugurated – Varieties Important for Future Agriculture Safeguarded in Tyrnävä.
The Backup of the Nordic potato collection was recently inaugurated by the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
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2022-02-17
Crop Wild Relatives Important for Climate Adaptation of Agriculture – 19 New Nordic Species Prioritized
Wild relatives to potato, wheat and timothy are some examples among the 19 new prioritized species.
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2022-02-14
New deposit in the Seed Vault – Important Crop Wild Relatives and "Arctic Pea" in NordGen's boxes
Norweigan ministers participated in the February deposit at Svalbard Global Seed Vault when seed samples from nine genebanks were secured.
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2021-12-07
Backup of the Nordic Potato Collection Moves to Finland
NordGens potato collection consists of 95 Nordic varieties. The safety duplicate is relocated to the company SPK in Finland.
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2021-11-23
Crop wild relatives important for future food production – Knowledge that needs to be disseminated
Not many know that crop wild relatives can be important for the development of future agricultural crops. This was one of many topics discussed during a workshop in Oslo recently.
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2021-11-12
Juha Kantanen Knows the Genes of Northern Survivors
Using precise data and new information, Juha Kantanen helps us understand the adaptations that helped humans and domestic animals survive the harsh conditions of the north.
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2021-10-27
Thousands of Seed Samples Secured in Svalbard Global Seed Vault – Two New Genebanks Among the 12 depositors
50 boxes with 14 011 seed samples were brought into Svalbard Global Seed Vault earlier this week. For the first time, seed samples from Serbia and Latvia is now secured in the Vault.
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2021-10-19
New Report From NordGen Forest Compiles Statistics on Forest Seeds and Plants in the Nordic Region
Statistics is needed to understand the development in forestry. Recently, the report “Statistics: Forest Seeds and Plants in the Nordic Region” was published by NordGen Forest.
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2021-09-30
Climate Change Adaptation and Young Researchers Highlighted During NordGen Forest's Conference
About 90 people from the forest sector participated in the digital conference arranged by NordGen Forest. During the conference, 15 lecturers gave presentations over two days.
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2021-09-14
Arctic Pea Cultivation Possible According to New Research - Green Harvest Was Taken at 69°N
Results from NordGen's research project Arctic Pea is now published. The study shows that it is possible to cultivate peas as far north as in Norwegian Tromsø.
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2021-09-06
Traditional Grazing: Native Breeds Are Vital for the Nordic Biodiversity
Why are native breeds so well suited to taking care of endangered biotopes? And can a cow really replace mechanical clearing of bushes?
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2021-08-03
Maria Kjetså Helps Breeders Make Better Choices to Safeguard Genetic Diversity
Modern genetics and history meet in researcher Maria Kjetså’s work in the interdisciplinary project "3MC – Nordic mountain cattle".
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2021-07-28
NordGen in Cooperation on Pastures – Native Breeds a Great Asset
In February, a match making webinar was organized for those interested in grazing. One of the participants at the webinar was Ilmari Majuri, the owner of the Oukamäki farm and a well-known advocate of native Finncattle breeds.
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2021-07-07
Network for in situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in Focus During European Conference
The importance of creating a European network for in situ conservation of plant genetic resources was discussed during the conference "Ensuring Diversity for Food and Agriculture".
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2021-06-24
Wide audience in comprehensive webinar about farm animal genetic resources
A wide range of topics were covered when the NordFrost network recently arranged the webinar "Why gene banking". Six lecturers gave presentations and group discussions ended the the three-hour digital event.
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2021-06-21
Good Baking Properties and Protein Content in NordGen's Einkorn and Emmer Wheat
A recently completed study shows that einkorn and emmer wheat from NordGen's collection are well suited for bread baking. The old wheat species also had higher protein content than in ordinary quality wheat that is usually used for baking.
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2021-05-18
More seed orders, digitization and a new strategy - read more in NordGen Annual Review 2020
NordGen's annual review for 2020 is now available. In addition to information about important achievements, the digital publication also includes a video in which NordGen's director, Lise Lykke Steffensen, summarizes the previous year.
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2021-05-03
Nordic Project on Access and Benefit Sharing Gathers Experts on Genetic Resources
Through several online seminars, the aim is to reach a Nordic joint view on the matter which corresponds with international agreements.
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2021-04-29
New and Unique Study Shows Potential for Use of Milk from Native Cattle Breeds to Produce Commercial Bioactive Food Components
The result of the study shows potential for new areas of commercial use of milk from the Nordic native breeds. This can be an important step in promoting the sustainable use of the breeds which in many cases are at risk of becoming endangered.
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2021-03-11
Mervi Honkatukia Builds New Future for Northern Indigenous Cattle
Not to give up. That is NordGen Section Leader Mervi Honkatukia's motto in the research and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
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2021-02-19
NordFrost will Pave the Way for Joint Guidelines on Cryo in the Nordic Region
In a new project called NordFrost, which NordGen is coordinating, stakeholders will develop a regional action plan for Nordic cryopreservation programmes.
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2021-02-12
Hilja Solala is Investigating the Common Origins of the Nordic Mountain Cattle
History researcher Hilja Solala is part of a research team consisting of experts working together to gather and disseminate knowledge about the common origins Nordic mountain cattle breeds.
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2021-02-08
New Round of PPP-projects Approved
Three new projects have been approved in the fifth round of PPP-funding. The focus of the projects are spring wheat, phenotypic technology and apples.
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2020-12-28
A Pioneer and Beloved Co-Worker has Passed Away
Renowned barley researcher and beloved co-worker Udda Lundqvist has passed away during the Christmas holidays. Udda was a pioneer in the field of radiation-supported plant breeding.
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2020-11-24
Public-Private Cooperation Aims at Finding Grasses Adapted to the Future Climate of the North
The PPP-project for pre-breeding of perennial ryegrass has led to new important discoveries for developing new forage plant varieties that can thrive in the future climate of the Nordic and Baltic regions.
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2020-11-17
100-year-old Breeding Station: A Treasure Chest of Knowledge for Project Researching the History and Genetics of Nordic Mountain Cattle
One of Sweden's largest breeding centers for mountain cattle was situated on a farm in Trollsåsen, Jämtland County. Although it is more than 100 years since it lost its official status as a breeding center, the legacy from Trollsåsen lives on in the detailed documentation still preserved on the farm.
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2020-10-28
Seeds from Eight Genebanks Safeguarded in October Deposit to the Seed Vault
Despite the pandemic, NordGen staff still go to Svalbard to safeguard the crop diversity stored in the world's genebanks. This time, almost 15 000 seed samples from three continents were deposited in the Seed Vault.
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2020-10-27
NordGen Receives 8,3 MDKK from Novo Nordisk Foundation to Backup Storage in Denmark
NordGen has been granted 8,3 million DKK from the Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation. The money will be used for a state-of-the-art backup seed storage in Denmark and to upgrade our information system GENBIS.
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2020-10-14
PPP NORDFRUIT – for the Future of Nordic Strawberries and Apples
Did you know that apples and strawberries are the most important species within the fruit and berry production in the Nordic countries? PPP NORDFRUIT, a project within the Nordic Public-Private Partnership for Pre-breeding, is contributing to the important pre-breeding work.
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2020-10-07
Newly Discovered Skeleton Can Tell Us About the History of Mountain Cattle
Did the Vikings have cows? If so, how are Viking cattle related to today's mountain cattle? We hope to answer these questions in the 3MC project, that gathers and disseminates knowledge about the mountain cattle's origins and cultural history.
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2020-09-30
Parts of Our Pea Collection Characterized in Search of Plant Based Protein Sources for the Future
NordGen has more than 2 000 seed samples from different peas in our collection. Last summer, we propagated 100 of the pea accessions and took the opportunity to learn as much as possible about them.
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2020-09-28
NordGen’s Head Office will Re-locate to New Building
Today is day worth celebrating as we now can announce that NordGen will re-locate its head office to an entirely new building! The new building should be ready for occupation in December 2021.
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2020-08-25
Svalbard Global Seed Vault Commences Seed Experiment That Will Last for 100 years
How long can seeds stay alive? To improve this crucial knowledge, a new seed longevity experiment has started in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. It will go on for a hundred years from now.
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2020-07-03
New Information System Creates Better Security for the Nordic Seed Collection
From the 3rd of July, Nordic Baltic Genebanks Information System (NBIS) replaces the previous system SESTO. NBIS will be hosted by NordGen but also used by the national genebanks in all the Nordic and Baltic countries.
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2018-07-31
The Nordic brown bee is the new buzz in the honey business
The endangered Nordic native breed is now on a rise and gaining in popularity.
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2018-07-24
Forgotten wheat variety is yummy for every bread lover's tummy
Soft, savory and wonderful to bake with. Bread lovers are singing praise to Ölands-wheat - this forgotten, low-yield wheat variety that now is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance.
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2018-05-26
Strong, stubborn and endangered - but this breed is on a comeback
The Faroese horse is one of the world’s most endangered horse breeds. Today, only 85 individuals remain but a vigorous work is taking place to save this strong, stubborn breed which visually is quite similar to the Islandic horse.
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2018-03-21
Hybrid larch production in Iceland – in search for the optimal provenances and seed sources
In Iceland, with practically no forests until recently and only one native forest-forming tree species, obtaining seed of the right species and provenances has long been and still is the most important issue affecting progress in forestry.
