Seed E-News

August 24, 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 ...

• University of Arkansas Introduces New Soybean Variety with High Yields and Protein Content
• US Ethanol Capacity Grows 20 Percent.
• USDA is Soliciting Nominations for Members of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
• U.S. Wheat Quality Starts with Variety Development
• Genetic GPS for Tracking Boll Weevils
• New Early Maturing Corn Varieties Developed by North Dakota State University Corn Breeding Program
•Crops Of The Future: Major International Debate Takes Place at the University of Southampton, U.K.
•USDA Agencies' News Releases

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.
For more information on the SAA Congress, please visit www.saacongress.com or contact Alexis Ellicott of ASTA at 703-837-8140.

White House Announces Immigration Reform Measures

According to a recent White House announcement and Federal Register Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin on September 14 to enforce a new rule regarding employer responsibilities upon receipt of so-called no match letters. The rule will affect those employers who receive no match letters regarding potential employees from the DHS or Social Security Administration. ASTA is continually working with other agricultural organizations including the National Council of Agricultural Employers and Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform to try to get comprehensive immigration reform passed that would be beneficial to the agricultural community. If you are affected by this new policy, please read this report regarding the changes as well as the accompanying fact sheet released by the White House. You can also find out more information about these rule changes on the US Customs and Immigration website. For more information, contact Pat Miller.

ASTA Meets with Farm Safety 4 Just Kids

On August 21, ASTA staff members Andy LaVigne, Leslie Cahill, Pat Miller, and Jason Laney met with David Schweitz, Executive Director of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK), to discuss ways in which the two organizations can work together

in the future. Founded in 1987, FS4JK provides resources and training to individuals and communities to conduct farm safety awareness and education programs for rural kids. The program's objectives include: increasing public awareness and understanding of the hazards to children on the farm; providing individuals, families, and communities with educational opportunities and resources to make the farm a safe and healthy environment; and motivating and empowering individuals, farm families and communities to make positive changes regarding farm safety and health issues. Click here for more information on FS4JK or contact David Schweitz.

Biotechnology and Technological Innovations to Highlight Next FuSE Educational Unit to be held at Sakata Seed America on September 7, 2007.

The next Educational Unit will be held on September 7 at Sakata Seed America in Morgan Hill, CA. This event will feature a hi-tech focused agenda including: an overview of Sakata Seed America and its multi-national parent company Sakata Seed Corporation, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan; a tour of its plant; an overview of SeedQuest's business story and the current status of the internet and related technology; and a case study on the California Biotechnology Story conducted by the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center. Click here to register for the Sakata Ed Unit. We also hope that you will be able to participate in the optional evening social event on September 6 at Mama Mia's restaurant.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott in Morgan Hill. Make your reservation today by calling the hotel directly at (408)-782-6034 (ask for the FuSE room block for Sakata Seed America when making your reservation). Complete hotel and transportation information can be found here.

We hope to see next month at the Sakata Seed America Educational Unit!

Click here to register.
Click here for hotel and transportation information.
Click here for the agenda.
For more information, please contact Jason Laney or Alexis Ellicott at ASTA.

State of the States... North Central Seed Conference

The Northern Seed Association held its 2007 North Central Seed Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota during the first week of August. President Larry Chesak, Chesak Seed House of Bismarck and Association Administrator Claudia Osterman put on an exceptional conference. About 70 members attended the conference, mostly from the surrounding states.

The agenda kicked off with a Welcome Barbeque at Buckstop Junction, a town circa 1930 rebuilt from original buildings of the era. The Chesak Seed House warehouse was included in one of the town's buildings. Accomplished bluegrass musician Preston Schmidt provided the entertainment after dinner.

A primary topic of conversation of the program and within the ranks of the membership was corn and ethanol production, making a significant impact on the area. Al Guston, a local radio broadcaster presented an interesting perspective of the progression of agriculture. ASTA Regional Vice President Wayne Vassar, Sharp Brothers Seed Co., and ASTA Director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Pat Miller presented an overview of ASTA activities.

A definitive highlight of the conference was the tour of the ethanol production plant in Richardton, North Dakota. It was interesting to note that it takes about 60-80 truckloads of materials (mostly corn, of course) coming and going every day. The tour dispelled a lot of myths; such as, that it would not be cost effective without government subsidies and that it takes more petroleum based product to produce ethanol energy than it would to produce it outright. Both are false. And, they have very little waste and environmental impact. The only thing it discharges is water and CO2, and they will be selling the CO2 in the near future. The participants of the tour commented that they were very impressed with the overall operation.

Floyd Hansmeier, Hansmeier and Sons Inc. in Bristol South Dakota, was elected to serve as President for the coming term.

For more information on state affairs, contact Pat Miller.

Conference Attendees tour Richardton, ND Ethanol Plant	ASTA North Central Regional VP Wayne Vassar and Northern Seed Trade Association President Larry Chesak
Claudia Osterman, NSTA Administrator, with ASTA's Pat Miller	Wayne Vassar Addressing the Membership at the North Central Seed Conference

Increase in Seed Expo 2007 Booth Pricing Looming

Early exhibitor registration for Seed Expo 2007 will be ending on August 31; as a result the exhibit booth pricing will increase on September 1. The Seed Expo, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, December 4-7, is the largest seed industry meeting in the world. Pricing for American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) members wanting to exhibit in a 10x10 booth will increase from $1,100 to $1,500, for non-ASTA members the fee will increase from $1,900 to $2,300. Click here to register for a booth.

A new feature of the Seed Expo will be the Exhibitor Marketplace beginning at 5 pm on Tuesday, December 4th. Vendors will offer giveaways and refreshments during the Marketplace.

For additional information, please visit the Seed Expo web site, or call Nikki Clifford at 703-837-8140.

New Format for CSS 2007 and Seed Expo Convention Schedule

Based on attendee feedback and staff review, the convention schedule for this December's CSS 2007 and Seed Expo conference has been modified in order to make the program more efficient and to encourage more regional visitors to the show. The biggest of these changes comes with the new "Exhibitor Marketplace" on Tuesday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m., in which Seed Expo exhibitors will offer giveaways of food, beverage and promotional items and the exhibit hall will have unrestricted access to any and all visitors. The Seed Expo this year also debuts its first automotive exhibitor, Dodge/Chrysler, exemplifying the changing face of the event and the industry overall.

The convention will once again kick off with a large Opening General Session, this year held at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, and will combine the topics formerly covered within the Biotechnology Committee, the Intellectual Property Rights Committee, the Seed Treatment and Environment Committee, the Corn & Sorghum Division Meeting, and the Soybean Division meeting. The schedule of Soybean, Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference sessions has been streamlined to include two "Soybean Super Sessions" on Wednesday, December 5 and to run a single session per time slot for the Corn and Sorghum sessions, versus the two concurrent sessions of the past, on December 6 and 7. Thursday's Joint Soybean, Corn and Sorghum Session remains, this year featuring a "Food vs. Fuel" session that will feature a panel discussion from key industry players.

125th Anniversary Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunities

ASTA's 125th Anniversary Year, celebrating our founding in 1883, will offer unique sponsorship and exhibit marketing opportunities for seed industry companies. The sponsorship offerings are being combined into one menu for the anniversary year and a package discount for companies participating as a sponsor for all three ASTA conventions, the CSS in December, the 47th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference in January, and the Annual Convention in June, is being offered for the first time. Exhibit opportunities are also available for all three conventions, each of which are expected to enjoy elevated attendance due to the anniversary celebration year.

Exhibit programs have been re-worked for the anniversary conventions, whereby the Seed Expo 2007 in Chicago this December will open with a free Exhibitor Marketplace event on Tuesday, December 4, in which Seed Expo exhibitors will offer giveaways from their booths to a completely unrestricted audience. January's Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference features the traditional "Trading Room" as in previous years, but will include all Reserved Appointment Tables within the same room as tabletop exhibitors for maximum traffic flow throughout the room. Exhibits at the 125th Anniversary Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida in June, 2008, which is expected to enjoy its highest ASTA attendance in the past 6 years, will be arranged in the registration lobby section of the conference amongst a variety of anniversary displays for maximum traffic flow.

Sponsors may contact Jennifer Lord and exhibitors may contact Nikki Clifford at the ASTA office for more information.

Contribute to ASTA's Anniversary Project

In 2008, ASTA will hold its 125th Annual Convention and plans are now underway for a comprehensive program of "member memories" to recognize this special anniversary year. ASTA is collecting members' photos, mementos, and personal memories from conventions of years past, to be included in a retrospective tribute to the members and attendees who have participated in our conventions over the years. The convention will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and will employing the use of some of the concepts pioneered by Disney to create a meaningful experience for the anniversary commemoration.

If you have a special photo, memory or souvenir that you would like to share for this compilation, please contact Jennifer Lord.

ASTA Farm & Lawn Seed Conference Registration to Open Soon

ASTA's Farm and Lawn Seed Conference, held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association's Annual Convention from November 10-13, 2007 in Kansas City, will soon open for registrants. The meeting will once again be held at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The ASTA program will begin on Sunday, November 11 with meetings of the ASTA Invasive Species Working Group and the Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee. The Lawn Seed Division and Farm Seed Division will meet on Monday, November 12.

An historic and well-attended trading meeting, this event gathered close to 600 seed industry professionals last year. Registration for the conference should be sent directly to the Western Seed Association by October 4, 2007. Please contact Jennifer Lord if you would like a registration form.

Company News and People on the Move

James M. Osborne (Jim), well known in the sorghum seed industry, has joined Crosbyton Seed Company of Crosbyton, Texas as Vice President of Business Development.Jim will be engaged in maximizing opportunities for advancing Crosbyton Seed Company's core business, sorghum seed products and services. Jim is charged with embracing staff development strategy for success in breeding, research, development and marketing initiatives.

Upcoming Industry Events

Seed Association of the Americas' Annual Meeting
9/5-9/7
Click here for Agenda
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Unit at Sakata Seed
9/7
America
Morgan Hill, CA
Click here to Register
Click here for Agenda
Click here for Transportation and Hotel Information

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events