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August 7, 2007
Welcome to ASTA's electronic newsletter for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward the 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 Jason Laney at ASTA. Past issues can be viewed here .
In the News ... • Kellogg Fears Bite of Switch to Biofuels
Be Sure to Register for the Seed Association of the Americas' First Annual Meeting
The Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) will hold its first annual Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina September 5-7, 2007. The meeting, entitled "Promoting the Seed Business in the Americas" will feature a day-long seminar on intellectual property rights, an active trading floor and meetings on other topics such as phytosanitary matters and biofuels. The goals of the SAA are to encourage the production and movement of seed among countries in the Americas through cooperation on trade rules and arbitration, intellectual property, phytosanitary measures, agricultural and other policies affecting seed production and movement, coordination and support on seed issues in other international organizations, coordination on biotech and organic policies. Sponsorships and trading floor booth spaces are still available. Please note that the "early-bird" registration period has been extended to August 15.
ASTA Meets with Legislators from Mexico ASTA participated in a panel discussion with a group of Mexican legislators on a sponsored trip to Washington DC. The National Corn Growers Association, the Corn Refiners and BIO were also part of the panel. The panel discussed the importance of innovation in agriculture and the specific benefits to the use of biotechnology. The group from Mexico was very interested in ethanol production, increased corn yields from biotechnology and how the U.S. Government approached regulation. ASTA, along with the AgBiotech Planning Committee and BIO hosted a reception for the Mexican delegation after the panel discussion. For more information, contact Bernice Slutsky.
Registration Open for Next FuSE Educational Unit at Dairyland Seed on August 23rd--Hotel Deadline is August 8. The next Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Unit will be held on August 23 at Dairyland Seed Co. in Clinton, WI. The Ed Unit will feature an exciting agenda including: an overview of Dairyland Seed Co., discussions on staying competitive as an independent seed company and the pipeline for the future, a case study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a VIP tour of the research facility and plots. Click here to register for the Dairyland Ed Unit. Hotel and transportation information is also now posted on the website. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Beloit Inn until August 8, so be sure to make your reservation today by calling the hotel directly at 1-866-362-5507 (ask for the FuSE room block for Dairyland Seed when making your reservation). Click here for a complete schedule of FuSE activities. For more information, contact Jason Laney.
ASTA Supports Public-Private Seed Industry Meeting in Asia-Pacific Applying USDA Emerging Market Program Funds, ASTA recently helped support a workshop organized by the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) to help foster communication between the region's seed industry and its respective governmental agencies.Thirteen countries participated in the July 2007 workshop "Forging Stronger Relations among National Governments and the Private Sector in the Region's Seed Industry."The first day of the workshop focused on phytosanitary measures, with each country's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) outlining its phytosanitary system and advising the group of any current or anticipated changes to their phytosanitary regulations. The national seed industries also expressed opinions and concerns with the phytosanitary regulations in the region.
State of the States ... Bt Corn Approved for Sale in Maine Last Friday, the Maine Board of Pesticides Control approved Bt corn for registration in the state. Maine was the only state in the U.S. that did not allow the modified corn to be grown or sold. Growers and seed professionals in the state pursued the request based upon their appeal to maintain a competitive edge against other states. Opponent Andrea DeFrancesca of Franklin said, "Maine doesn't have this [engineered corn]. We are the only state because we're smarter." To appease the concerns of the organic farmers, BPC approved the corn on two conditions:
Conventional dairy farmers argued that organic farms represent a small percentage of Maine agriculture and the "tail shouldn't wag the dog." The BPC will draft a new rule which then will be advertised by the Secretary of State's Office and a formal public hearing will be held in the future. For more information on state affairs, contact Pat Miller.
ASTA Soybean Division Teams up with the American Soybean Association to Produce First Soybean Industry Calendar The ASTA Soybean Division and American Soybean Association (ASA) are teaming up to produce and distribute the industry's first Soybean Industry Calendar. This 12-month, full-color, spiral bound wall calendar will be available in early December 2007 and will help increase awareness of soybeans, industry events and the interconnectivity of stakeholders. At least 25,000 calendars will be printed and distributed to ASA members and soybean growers across U.S. soybean production areas of the country. To sign up as a calendar sponsor, please contact Michelle Siegel or Wendell Knehans of ASA or for more information, please contact Jason Laney of ASTA. The deadline to sign up as a calendar sponsor is August 15, so if you would like to participate in this project please contact Michelle, Wendell, or Jason today.
UC-Davis Seed Biotechnology Center Announces New Plant Breeding Academy Session The UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy is pleased to be accepting applications for its second class, starting in September 2008. The Plant Breeding Academy (PBA) is a two year professional development course teaching the principles of plant breeding. It is targeted toward people who are currently involved in plant breeding or wish to become plant breeders, and desire a greater knowledge of genetics, statistics, and breeding methodology. The program allows participants to maintain their current working positions. The Academy's inaugural class, currently in progress, consists of 15 students from the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong. Some of the feedback received from the participants includes:
The Plant Breeding Academy is taught by internationally recognized plant breeders, and is limited in size to give students personal attention. Visit the Plant Breeding Academy website for more information and to apply for the 2008-2010 Academy. You may also contact Cathy Glaeser, Program Representative, by email or at 530-752-4414, with any questions.
Company News and People on the Move BioDiagnostics, Inc., (BDI) a leader in genetic purity and standard germination seed testing, announces that Denise Thiede, Ph.D. and Craig Nelson, have acquired ownership interest in BioDiagnostics, Inc. Quentin Schultz remains majority shareholder and will maintain his position as president. For more information, please contact Mary Shellum at (952) 404-0800, Ext. 110.
Upcoming Industry Events
Seed Association of the Americas' Annual Meeting Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Unit at Sakata Seed
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events
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