Seed E-News

November 3, 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. Past issues can be viewed here .

Quick Links

Register by November 10.
Click here to book your discounted room at the Chicago Hyatt Regency for the CSS Conference.

Consumers Have Few Concerns With Biotech Foods
A study released today by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) shows that although more than half of all Americans report avoiding some type of food or food ingredient (59%), none mention biotech foods as something they are avoiding. When asked directly, only two percent say they have recently changed their behavior due to concerns about food biotechnology.

Many consumers are neutral (33%) or unsure (18%) when asked specifically for their opinion on food biotechnology. However, those consumers who do have an opinion are almost twice as likely to have a positive view (32%) than to have a negative view (17%).

Nearly three-fourths (72%) of consumers say they are confident in the safety of the U.S. food supply. When prompted to indicate food safety concerns, most consumers mention microbial foodborne illness (36%) or improper handling (35%), while only three percent of all consumers cite food biotechnology.

Learning of the benefits of biotech foods has a significant impact on consumers? likelihood to buy, particularly for a health benefit (77% likely to buy for increased omega-3 fatty acid content; 75% for reduced saturated fat content) or insect protection/pesticide reduction (75%), but also for improved taste or freshness (63%).

Read more ...

ASTA Meets with African Seed Leaders
In mid-October, ASTA's Alexis Ellicott attended an African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) seminar for African seedsmen on ?Biotechnology Communication and Outreach Workshop." The workshop included instruction on communications principles and outreach, how to work with reporters, crafting a message for the mass media and how to approach policy makers. The workshop drew over 40 participants, from 20 countries. It was funded by ASTA, Monsanto, the Rockefeller Foundation and GNIS (the national inter-professional association for seeds and plants).

ASTA also holds a seat on the AFSTA Board of Directors, (shown above; Ellicott is third from left) and attended the group's semi-annual meeting in Nairobi. The Board serves as an advisory group for the Secretariat located in Nairobi and is working on formulating seed-related positions, bolstering association finances and strategic planning.

For more information Alexis Ellicott . The next AFSTA Annual Congress be held March 5-9, 2007, in Livingstone, Zambia.

Seed Biology, Production and Quality Course
The Seed Biotechnology Center and UC Davis Extension will offer a unique two-day course for professionals in the seed industry, crop consultants and growers to expand and update their knowledge February 21- 22, 2007. Participants will learn the fundamentals and the most current research information on seed development, production, harvesting, conditioning, storage, enhancement, and quality assessment. Instructors include: Dr. Derek Bewley, University of Guelph; Dr. Hiro Nonogaki, Oregon State University; and University of California, Davis? Dr. Kent Bradford, Dr. Robert Gilbertson and Dr. Allen Van Deynze. For more information and to register online, go to the SBC.

Univ. of Ill. Extension Seeks U.S. White Seed Corn Producer for Zambia
The University of Illinois Extension seeks a U.S. white seed corn company to partner with a seed producer in Zambia. The Zambian producer would bring an understanding of the Zambian market, approval process and government system and is willing to oversee the variety approval process. For more information contact Mike Plumer, Natural Resources Management Educator. University of Illinois Extension or Alexis Ellicott.

FuSE: Regional Companies Winning in the Global Marketplace
The next Future Seed Executives (FuSE) meeting will be a discussion group conference call on Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. CST. The topic is "Regional Companies Winning in the Global Marketplace" and it will be moderated by Jeff Renk of Renk Seeds. To participate, please complete the registration form and return it to the ASTA office via email or fax. For more information on FuSE, please visit the FuSE Web site or email here.

Deadline Nears for CSS & Seed Expo Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunities
November 30 is the deadline for sponsorship and exhibit opportunities for the December 5- 8 ASTA CSS 2006 convention and Seed Expo. More than 100 companies will exhibit products and services to the more than 2,500 seed industry executives in attendance. For more information on sponsorships, contact Jennifer Lord. To learn more about reserving a booth at the Seed Expo, contact Jason Laney.

Prizes Needed for ASTA’s Silent Auction
ASTA will once again conduct a Silent Auction with profits donated to the ASTA Scholarship Fund during the CSS meeting in December.. The auction, scheduled for December 6-7 within the Seed Expo at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, debuted last year and created quite a stir on the exhibit show floor with its collection of autographed memorabilia from sports, music and political figures.

Any attending company may contribute an item for auction. Seed Expo exhibitors are also encouraged to participate in the auction by donating items. Among featured memorabilia that this year are a guitar autographed by Paul McCartney and a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. To donate an item for the Silent Auction, contact Jason Laney.

Company News and People on the Move
Mid-West Seed Services, Inc. (MWSS), of Brookings, S.D., has been authorized by USDA for seed sampling and testing for U.S. OECD Seed Schemes program. They also announce that Larry Prentice, Registered Seed Technologist, will join MWSS in December as Multi- Species Laboratory Manager/Seed Research Associate.

Golden Harvest announces retirements of Doug Robinson, J.D. Harrold, Ron Schindler and Rolen Sell.

Gro Alliance announces an agreement that establishes a strategic relationship with Ansco Seed to provide field production acreage and drying facilities to Gro Alliance at its Whiting, Iowa location.

Upcoming Industry Events

2006 Corn Belt Seed Conference
Indiana Seed Trade Association
11/8 - 11/9
Marriott East Indianapolis, IN

104th Iowa Seed Association Annual Convention
11/13 - 11/14
Gateway Center
Ames, IA

U.S. Grains Council International Marketing Conference & 47th Annual Membership Meeting
12/2 - 12/5
Crowne Plaza Los Cabos - Grand Faro
Los Cabos, Mexico

National Grain and Feed Association Country Elevator/Feed Industry Conference 2006
12/3 - 12/5
Hyatt Regency Crown Center
Kansas City, MO

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events