Seed E-News

October 13, 2006

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 subscribe. ASTA respects your privacy and does not share its mail lists with other parties. If you have received this publication in error, you may unsubscribe at the end of this page. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Lisa Dry.

Quick Links

WTO on Biotech Case
• WTO Report and Background
• U.S. Government Statement
• ASTA Statement from Andy LaVigne

ASTA Staff Visit Delta & Pine Land Co. ASTA staff members visited Chairman Harry Collins at Delta and Pine Land Co. headquarters in Scott, Miss., this week. Lisa Dry, Leslie Cahill and Bernice Slutsky (left to right above with Collins) met with D & PL staff, visited field trials, greenhouses, and seed testing and bagging facilities to gain a better understanding of cotton seed production. The group and Collins were also honored with a reception by the Delta Cotton Council, an area economic development organization representing the 18 Delta and part-Delta counties of Northwest Mississippi. The ASTA group also visited the Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center in Stoneville, Miss., one of the major research establishments of USDA's Agricultural Research Service. The Center consists of seven research units, with scientists conducting basic and applied research in several areas including biology, genetics, engineering, chemistry, ecology, entomology, physiology, biochemistry, botany, agronomy, aquaculture, soil science, plant pathology and application technology.

Missouri Seedmen Award Four Scholarships
During the annual meeting of the Missouri Seedmen's Association (MSA) last week in Lake Ozark, Mo., the group awarded four scholarships to University of Missouri Plant Science students. MSA President Jeff Chalabi (pictured center with University of Missouri associate professor Dr. Reid Smeda and recipients) presented the $1,000 awards, one of which was co-sponsored by ASTA. Updates from Richard Taylor, executive vice president of the Southern Seed Association, and Lisa Dry, ASTA, were included on the program.

USGC China Corn Tour Sees Crop on Decline
Last week the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) reported that drought and insect damage in two corn-producing regions in China will likely cause the nation's corn crop to drop by 1-2 million metric tons (39.4-78.8 million bushels) this year from the 2005/2006 crop total of 139.4 million tons (5.48 billion bushels).

Dr. Todd Meyer, USGC senior director in Beijing, China, along with Council members Ken Greene, Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Bill Olthoff, Illinois Farm Bureau, assessed China's corn crop. Crop yields were about 4-5 percent ahead in Northeast China, which produces up to 40 percent of China's total corn crop. However, growers in the North China Plain region were hit by drought and insects — plus cotton plantings gained a little ground. In the remaining corn-producing areas of China, one province suffered a severe drought that dropped the local production by 25 percent. Meyer noted that, "We see feed demand in China remaining strong despite some setbacks including avian influenza and a drop in hog prices. Fueling the feed demand, China's population is demanding more meat, milk and eggs with increased urbanization and income growth. All of this leads to stronger demand growth and right now we don't anticipate corn yields keeping up with that demand."

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Sponsorship Opportunities for Upcoming ASTA Meetings
ASTA announces new sponsorship opportunities related to the CSS 2006 and Seed Expo event, December 5 - 8 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, and for the 46th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., February 3 - 6, 2007. Both sponsorship menus have been created with accessibility for all ASTA members as the highest priority, and offer a range of opportunities, in terms of price and visibility. The CSS 2006 sponsorship menu is posted on ASTA's web site, and indicates which sponsorships are available. The sponsorship deadline is November 15. The Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference sponsorship menu is available here. Questions should be directed to Jennifer Lord at the ASTA office (703) 837-8140.

Company News and People on the Move
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. (IFSI) elects four executive positions. Dale Cochran will serve as Chief Executive Officer, John Hiser, President and George Terry, Chief Financial Officer. Tim Johnson joins the executive team as Vice President. Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer named recipient of the 2006 College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agriculture. Hoegemeyer is the chief technology officer of Hoegemeyer Hybrids in Hooper, Neb. BioDiagnostics, Inc. (BDI) of Rivers Falls, Wisc., marks its tenth year in business.

ASTA Experiences Phone Outage
Earlier this month ASTA lost phone service for several hours due to an incident related to a nearby construction zone. In the event of a recurrence and you are unable to reach ASTA by phone during business hours, please email Barb Surian who will be able to assist you.

Plant-breeding Workshop Registration Extended
Early-bird registration for the workshop "Plant breeding: A vital capacity for U.S. national goals" , February 8-9 in Raleigh, N.C., has been extended to November 30. Additional information can be found at: http://www.plantbreedingworkshop.ncsu.edu/ , or contact Ann Marie Thro, National Program Leader for plant breeding and Genetics Plant and Animal Systems Unit, CSREES.

ASTA Welcomes New Member
• Absorbent Technologies, Inc of Beaverton, OR

Upcoming Industry Events

Atlantic Seed Association Annual Meeting
10/14 - 10/17
Toronto, Canada
InterContinental Toronto Centre
Toronto, ON
Canada

Western Seed Association Meeting
ASTA Farm and Lawn Seed Meeting
11/4-11/7
Western Crown Center
Kansas City, MO

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events American Seed Trade Association