KWS Cereals USA is a subsidiary of a German company that focuses on plant breeding of wheat, oats, rye, and barley. It invests 15% of its annual turnover back into research and breeding. The intern helped harvest and process wheat varieties at KWS Cereals' facility in Champaign, Illinois over the summer. Key tasks included threshing harvested seed, cleaning it, treating it for pests, and precisely counting seeds for future planting. The intern gained experience in operating machinery and making decisions to advance superior lines or remove others from the breeding program.

1. Illinois PSM Internship 2015
Acknowledgments
Lessons / Take-Aways
A new appreciation for the work necessary to
run a plant breeding program, especially from
an industry perspective has been realized
after involvement in this internship. Cash-
flows between parent and subsidiary
companies need to happen in order for
operations to occur. Field layout can benefit a
breeding program and also aid in effectively
displaying a product to potential clients. The
nature of the work with regards to weather
and crop condition means that the largest of
operations can happen at a moment’s notice;
patience and flexibility are key.
After being involved in two different breeding
programs over the course of the PSM
program, the University’s small grains
breeding program and the KWS group, a
possible career choice could be in biotech
applications of certain breeding processes,
and finding ways to make them more efficient
in breeding programs.
Zach Duray M.S. Degree Candidate, duray1@illinois.edu
R&D Intern, KWS Cereals USA, LLC
KWS Cereals USA, LLC is a subsidiary of KWS SAAT, founded in Germany. The cereals branch identifies its core
competency as plant breeding, focusing on creating high quality cultivars of wheat, oats, rye, and barley. To facilitate
development of these varieties, 15% of turnover from the previous year is invested back into research and the
breeding program for the next year. They have a high standard for farming practices involving environmental
sustainability and preserving natural resources. Stewardship for the environment goes beyond product development,
as the company is very customer oriented, promoting communication and consulting for farmers. The KWS Cereals
station in Champaign, IL. benefits from collaborating with other KWS related U.S. organizations to facilitate
administrative functions or use of equipment. Working in the Champaign area allows many benefits for wheat research
such as the common incidence of disease to breed resistant cultivars, and collaboration with the University of Illinois.
Working with a crew of 12 interns, the team worked together to harvest and process the wheat varieties of the KWS
Cereals wheat breeding program in Champaign. For early generations, plants were selected based on a criteria of
certain traits: shorter in height, larger inflorescences, absent of disease, and early-flowering. In order to increase seed
inventory of potential new varieties, larger plots are cultivated that require harvest using a sickle or a specially
designed research combine.
Photos: A) Transporting combine-harvested seed at an out-of-state test site. B) A Wintersteiger research combine
used for major plot-harvest operations. C) Computerized seed counter used to obtain a precise number of seeds for
each trial.
Once the seed was harvested, numerous tasks utilizing machinery were performed to process the seed, preparing it
for analysis and re-planting. Taking plot yield and test weight measurements allowed the team to decide which
varieties to keep and regrow another generation, and which varieties to remove from the program.
• Threshing: Using machines designed to separate seed from the plant once it has been harvested.
• Cleaning: Seed cleaners use a fan to blow air on seed as it falls through the machine, separating extra plant
material, or chaff, from the seed.
• Treating: Applying fungicide and pesticide treatment to selected seeds to help facilitate pest management once they
are planted.
• Counting: Machines that count precisely the desired number of seed to be planted so that a standardized number
of plants can be grown and compared for selection.
Connection to Curriculum
Science:
• Previous coursework in plant breeding and biology allowed a better understanding of the ideal plant characteristics
sought in the breeding program.
• Employment with the University of Illinois Small Grains plant breeding group prior to work with KWS gave a well-
rounded foundation for the structure, planning, and execution of general wheat breeding program operations.
• Enrollment in plant biochemistry and bio-inspiration courses for the fall 2015 semester will help cultivate new ideas
and help gain a more thorough understanding of the science of plant breeding.
Business:
• Coursework in process management assisted in understanding logistics of the program, and how each task is
essential to the big picture of the operation.
• Experiences in PSM seminar and business coursework has capitalized on networking skills and being able to
interact with individuals at all hierarchical levels of the organization.
• Student consulting project with HYX Biotech in the fall of 2014 provided helpful problem-solving skills that carried
over in addressing logistical issues encountered in the breeding program.
Principal Outcomes
• Accomplished 2015 season wheat
harvest.
• Removed off-type wheat lines from field
populations to create cultivar purity.
• Selected superior wheat lines that will
continue in the breeding program as
potential products.
• Processed newly harvested wheat lines,
collected yield data, and prepped the seed
for planting.
• Fostered contacts and professional
relationships with individuals in the wheat
breeding industry.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
ILLINOIS PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER’S
Special thanks to
Eastern Wheat
Breeder Jana Murche
and the KWS crew for
the opportunity and
support!
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