{"id":3980,"date":"2024-08-01T12:31:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T10:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/?p=3980"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:43:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:43:33","slug":"stefan-koetsier-on-seed-quality-good-is-not-good-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/en\/stefan-koetsier-on-seed-quality-good-is-not-good-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"Stefan Koetsier on seed quality: \u201cGood is not good enough\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stefan Koetsier on seed quality: \u201cGood is not good enough\u201d<\/h1>\n

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At De Bolster, seed quality is of the utmost importance. While other companies might settle for 85% germination, we strive for 95% or higher. Stefan Koetsier, supply chain manager, explains the secret behind our high seed quality. How does his department make this happen?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Never saying no<\/h2>\n

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We want satisfied customers, and that means: seeds that are in stock and that sprout. \u201cThere are standard requirements, but at De Bolster, we always go one step further,\u201d Stefan explains. We sell more than 300 varieties, and for each variety, we set specific quality standards. In terms of stock, we never want to say \u2018no\u2019 to customers. We replenish dwindling stock as quickly as possible. Of course, it sometimes happens that there is a sudden massive demand for a specific variety. We cannot always respond to that immediately. What we do then is be open and transparent and indicate when we expect to have stock again. This allows the customer to judge for themselves whether it makes sense to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

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“When I learned about the chemicals used in conventional agriculture that you consume as a consumer, I started looking at things differently.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The large cleaning line<\/h2>\n

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Before the seeds reach the consumer, they travel a long way. Stefan: \u201cDepending on the crop, we dry and test the seeds as quickly as possible after they come off the field. Here, for example, we test whether they contain certain viruses, bacteria, or fungi. After that, the large volumes of seeds, along with materials like leaves, twigs, and weeds, go into the large cleaning line. These are new machines we have purchased because we continue to grow as a company and therefore need more capacity. Each crate can hold a cubic meter, which the tilting machine tilts automatically; then the seeds go up with a kind of lift and are sieved several times and passed over an air blower. This allows us to separate the good seeds from the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Optical sorter<\/h2>\n

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It doesn’t stop there. The new optical sorter ensures even better purity where necessary. Each individual seed is inspected by a camera. Does it have the right size, the right color, etc. About 10,000 seeds per second fly over the conveyor belt. If there are incorrect seeds, they are blown off the belt. Stefan: \u201cProgramming sometimes takes a lot of time, up to 2-3 hours per batch. Custom work, for which Stefan’s colleagues need at least 4 years of experience to work optimally.<\/p>\n

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After this, the seeds are tested for germination. If there is sufficient germination, the seeds go into the vault, where there is exactly the right humidity to store them properly. The bags in which the seeds are sold are made to maintain the same conditions as in the vault. After all, the quality requirement does not stop when the seeds leave the company.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Great job satisfaction<\/h2>\n

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Stefan is proud of his work: \u201cI think it’s wonderful what I can mean for the company and the organic sector. I grew up on a conventional farm and started here as a holiday worker. When I learned about the chemicals in conventional agriculture that you consume as a consumer, I started looking at things differently. It’s quite strange that we have come to find those chemicals normal. What I like so much about De Bolster is that you have many growth opportunities. They really look at your talent here. A few years ago, they saw that as a cleaning employee I was constantly busy improving things, making sure things went faster, without increasing work pressure. They then offered me this position. The colleagues are nice and I always enjoy going to work. Even if I could earn twice as much somewhere else, I wouldn’t just leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Hear from more of our employees and growers:<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n
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“I am learning super interesting things about the soil.”<\/p>\n

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READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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“I don’t want the people who eat my food to ingest all kinds of chemical substances.”<\/p>\n

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READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\u201cI am convinced that organic gardening is the future\u201d<\/p>\n

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“I am learning super interesting things about the soil.”<\/p>\n

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READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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“I don’t want the people who eat my food to ingest all kinds of chemical substances.”<\/p>\n

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READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\u201cI am convinced that organic gardening is the future\u201d<\/p>\n

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READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Latest news<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThe great thing about customer service is that in the morning, I don’t yet know what I’ll be doing that day\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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