Hunsballe Frø A/S
- Hunsballe Frø's head office, Holstebro
Hunsballe Frø A/S has produced high quality seeds since 1921, and is today one of Europe's leading specialists in production of grass- and clover, and development of seed mixtures.
Our joint venture Euro Grass Breeding secures continuous development of new high performance varieties targetted for the Danish market. Our portfolio comprises clover- and grass seeds for agriculturial uses, seed mixtures for horses, turf grasses, and mixtures for wild life.
Hunsballe Frø is today the second biggest Danish seed company in terms of both turnover and scale of production.
The head office is situated in Holstebro, where processing and warehouse facilities are also located.
Furthermore there is a branch on the isle of Zealand near Slagelse, with corresponding facilities and a ISTA certified seed laboratory. In total Hunsballe has approx. 28,000 sqm roofed area.
A strong basic concept
- The "Hunsballe" property
At the beginning of the 20th century the gardener and farmer Jens Hvidberg started a seed business on his "Hunsballe" property in western Jutland, dealing in plant breeding, seed multiplication and seed trade.
In 1921 the company was registered as a limited company with its office in Holstebro.
Jens Hvidberg was an idealist, and it was his aim when creating Hunsballe Frø A/S to form a company with
- the management principles of a limited company and
- the principles of a co-operative in relation to the growers.
Hunsballe is still being run according to this basic concept, and time has proved that this principle has been the right one.
Structure
- Hunsballe Frø supplies approx. 1/3 of Denmark's consumption of grass seed and clover seed.
The share capital in Hunsballe Frø is owned by the non profit-making Idagård Fund, and Hunsballe is a part of the Idagård Group, which has an owner's equity of more than DKK 100 million.
Hunsballe shares cannot be traded without the consent of the board of directors.
Production
- Hunsballe is responsible for more than 15% of the Danish seed production, a share that has been increasing year by year, and continues to increase.
Hunsballe's production comprises mainly grass seed and clover seed. The production area is divided almost equally between the two branches, and is based on the following species:
Holstebro: timothy, various ryegrasses, cocksfoot, various fescues and meadow grasses.
Slagelse: clover, timothy, perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, various fescues and smooth meadow grass.
Annual production comes approx. to 15.000 tonnes. The cleaning equipment in both branches represents the very latest technology in the field of seed processing.
All seeds for wholesale are stored in crates. Packing is done immediately prior to dispatch, which ensures efficient stock utilisation and significant flexibility regarding the packaging requirements of the customers.
The seed can by choice be delivered in paper sacks of 10-25 kg, big bags or in bulk.
Sales in Denmark
- All seed for wholesale is stored in crates. Packing is done immediately prior to dispatch, which ensures significant flexibility regarding packing requirements of the customers.
As a wholesaler Hunsballe Frø supplies around 1/3 of the Danish market for fodder crops.
The range is based on the company's own production of grass seed and clover seed, but also includes species such as mustard, fodder beet etc.
Sales are channelled through general stores all over the country.
On a wholesale basis Hunsballe also supplies high-quality lawn seed to both professional market segments, e.g. landscape companies and golf courses, and to the consumer market.
The company is furthermore supplying seed for special purposes such as ground cover and forage crops for wildlife/game.
Testing of varieties
- Hunsballe Frø undertakes comprehensive testing work.
Testing of new varieties is a central element of this strategy. The tests include characters for use in the field of agriculture or for lawns.
Many varieties are also tested for seed yield, in order to guarantee Hunsballe's growers a high yield potential.
Testing work is undertaken in collaboration with both public and private institutions.
International sales
All sales outside Denmark is carried out through Euro Grass B.V.
Euro Grass is a cooperation between Deutsche Saatveredelung, the dutch company Euro Grass B.V. (former Zelder) and Hunsballe Frø.
On the link below you'll find information about products and the area managers, who are responsible for various countries worldwide.
Find your Euro Grass Area Manager here