News Releases

DATE:	August 4, 2006
CONTACT:	Lisa Dry
	(703) 837-8140

D&PL Executive Named Chairman of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (August 4, 2006) -- Dr. Harry B. Collins, vice president of technology transfer at Delta and Pine Land Company, was elected chairman of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) at the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago last month.

In assuming this new role, Collins takes over the leadership of ASTA at a time when the seed industry is actively involved in the evolution of American agriculture. “Our members are the foremost authorities in the research and development of new plant varieties and technologies that are literally revolutionizing the agriculture industry,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA’s president and CEO. “Dr. Collins brings a great deal of experience and technical know-how to the boardroom which will be invaluable to ASTA as it represents the U.S. seed industry both at home and abroad.”

ASTA advocates for its members on critical scientific and policy issues that are key to the seed industry and agriculture production at the state, national and international levels. Those topics include the reauthorization of the U.S. Farm Bill, world trade negotiations, biotechnology development, commodity programs, organic crops, research, conservation and stewardship.

“ASTA provides an absolutely critical link among seed companies and enables the industry to be better heard as a combined, unified voice,” stated Collins. “ASTA is involved in educating all facets of agriculture about the seed industry and working to influence policies that have impacts on seed companies, agriculture and environmental issues on a state, national and international level. Many representatives from our member companies participate in domestic and international meetings to represent ASTA’s viewpoints on behalf of the industry. I am honored to be asked to lead this organization.”


Assisting Collins in leadership roles will be First Vice Chair Mike Peterson, president, Peterson Genetics, Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Second Vice Chair, Kelly Keithly, CEO/president of Keithly-Williams Seeds, Yuma, Ariz.

LaVigne stated that “In addition to the multitude of issues handled by ASTA, intellectual property rights are an extremely important issue to ASTA’s membership and Harry’s expertise in this area will prove especially useful to the industry as we work to fashion policy for the industry.”

Collins, a former plant breeder, was instrumental in bringing the first genetically modified cotton varieties with an insect-protection trait to the market. He joined Delta and Pine Land Company in 1974 when he moved to Scott, Miss., as a soybean breeder. He subsequently served as vice president and director of research.

Since 1998, he has served as D&PL’s vice president of technology transfer, responsible for marketing new, unique technologies to other companies and institutions, and working with intellectual property protection issues. He also heads the team responsible for bringing to market the VipCot insect resistance technology, developed by Syngenta and licensed to D&PL. Collins’ contributions to the seed industry at large and his expertise have been acknowledged through his inclusion on the 14 member Plant Variety Protection Advisory Board, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Founded in 1883 and headquartered in Alexandria, Va., ASTA is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. The Association is comprised of more than 850 seed companies of various sizes which are engaged in the production, distribution and plant breeding of seed of many species of plants including row crops, vegetable, flower, turf and forage grasses in North America. It also is composed of seed related industries.

Delta and Pine Land Company is a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed. Headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, with multiple offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries, D&PL also breeds, produces and markets soybean planting seed.

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Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 900 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.