Seed E-News

June 1 , 2007

Welcome to ASTA's electronic newsletter for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Lisa Dry at ASTA.

Past issues can be viewed here .

Reports from USDA

• 6/1 America's Diverse Family Farms, 2007 edition
• 6/1 Amber Waves, the broad scope of ERS's research and analysis
• 5/31 The U.S. Food Marketing System: Recent Developments, 1997-2006
• 5/31 Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade
• 5/30 Russian Federation Oilseeds and Products Annual 2007
• 5/31 Workshop on Plant Biotechnology and Stability of Crop Production in the Greater Pannonian Region (Slovakia)

Second State and Regional Association Workshop Set for Annual Convention

Participants in the first State and Regional Association Workshop, held in Tucson last February, called it a huge success. Feedback was positive and there was support for continuation and expansion of the program. A second workshop is scheduled for Sun., June 24th in conjunction with ASTA's 124th Annual Convention. The program will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, Colo.

State and regional association administrators and leaders are invited to participate. Briefings on key industry issues will begin the program and, per past workshop attendee requests, plenty of time has been included in the agenda for attendee discussion and interaction. The goal is to provide to the state and regional seed associations the necessary information and tools to continue to provide the high level of service to which ASTA members have become accustomed. The workshop will be followed by a networking reception for the state and regional association leadership.

To participate, contact Pat Miller at (703) 837-8140 ext. 337.

Counting Down to the 124th ASTA Annual Convention

New speakers have just been added to the lineup for ASTA's 124th Annual Convention in Broomfield, Colo., to be held June 23 - 27 at the Omni Interlocken Resort. The "Processors' Panel Discussion" will be held Tues., June 26 and includes Susan Borra of the International Food Information Council, Jim Astwood of ConAgra Foods, and Dr. Christine Bruhn of the University of California's Center for Consumer Research.

The "Growers' Panel Discussion" held on Wednesday, June 27 will feature Bill Chase of the National Corn Growers Association, Allen Helms of the National Cotton Council, Jim McMillan of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Bruce Knight, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More information on the speakers can be found here.

Susan Borra	Christine Bruhn	Allen Helms

Other convention schedule highlights include the intensive and interactive State and Regional Associations Workshop being held Sun., June 24, and a keynote presentation by Guy Kawasaki, one of the founding partners of MacIntosh at the Apple Corporation.

The convention promises to be both a valuable educational opportunity and a fun experience, with numerous networking special events, include the Wild West Welcome Reception and Gala Banquet, featuring the return of last year's hit musical group, Big Ray and the Kool Kats, back by popular demand.

Sources of Public Agricultural R&D Changing

According to an article in the June 2007 issue of Amber Waves, total expenditures on agricultural research in the public sector increased from about $4.5 billion in 1995 to $4.6 billion in 2005, when adjusted for inflation. Read more ...

Chart: USDA

Arizona Students Receive ASTA Scholarships

During the recent meeting of the Seed Trade Association of Arizona (STAA), Noah Gessler of Patagonia, Ariz., and Claire Heinitz of Kingman, Ariz., received scholarships jointly funded by the STAA and ASTA. The awards of $1,500 each are for the 2007-2008 academic year. Both recipients are students at the University of Arizona. For more information on ASTA's matching scholarship program, contact Ann Jorss.

ASTA's Pat Miller is pictured with Claire Heinitz (left) and Noah Gessler (right), who received joint ASTA-STAA scholarships last month in Tucson.

Correction

Fred Mohr of Seedway has been selected by the ASTA Nominating Committee to serve as Northeast Regional Vice President for 2007-08, not Northwest as was published in last week's newsletter.

Company News and People on the Move ...

Bayer CropScience announces it has entered into an agreement to purchase Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company from Monsanto Company for a total price of $310 million.

Shermen WSC Acquisition Corporation has completed an initial public offering of $138 million. The New York based company plans to use the net proceeds to fund an acquisition within the agricultural industry. Two of the firm's executives are Francis P. Jenkins, Jr., Chairman and CEO; and G. Kenneth Moshenek, President and COO; both were previously with Royster-Clark, Inc., a leading agricultural inputs company.

Upcoming Industry Events

Oregon Seed Trade Association Annual Meeting
6/7-10
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver, OR

Illinois Seed Trade Annual Meeting
Hotel Pere Marquette
Peoria, IL
6/13

The Illinois Seed Trade Hacker/Slacker Golf Outing
6/14
Weaver Ridge Golf Course
Peoria, IL

ASTA 124th Annual Convention
6/23-27
Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa
Broomfield, CO

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events