Seed E-News

February 9 , 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. ASTA respects your privacy and does not share this mailing list 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 at ASTA.

Past issues can be viewed here .

ASTA in the News
• "Corn Farmers Eye Big Year," Lincoln Journal Star, Jan. 19
• "Biotech stacked hybrids are quickly becoming standard," Corn & Soybean Digest, Jan. 07

On Capitol Hill ...
ASTA Members to Meet with Ag Committee Chair

House Ag Committee Chair Colin Peterson (D-MN) will meet with ASTA members March 14. Members will have the opportunity to discuss conservation issues and other matters such as the Farm Bill. Peterson was recently quoted as saying "The 2002 Farm Bill has worked well...a new Farm Bill will look a lot like what we have now."

The Committee has added two new subcommittees to the 110th session: Horticulture and Organic Agriculture and Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. Both Peterson and Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) have made commitments that a new Farm Bill will be drafted by the August recess with the Conference Committee to reconcile differences over the break. They expect final debate and passage on the House and Senate floors in early to mid-September and President Bush's desk for signature before the current bill expires with the end of the fiscal year on September 30. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

Around the Agencies ...
Secretary Johanns Unveils Farm Bill Proposals

This week Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns unveiled USDA's 2007 farm bill proposals. The more than 65 proposals correspond to the 2002 farm bill titles with additional special focus areas, including specialty crops, beginning farmers and ranchers, and socially disadvantaged producers, according to the department news release.

The Administration's 2007 farm bill proposals would spend approximately $10 billion less than the 2002 farm bill spent over the past five years (excluding ad-hoc disaster assistance), upholding the President's plan to eliminate the deficit in five years. These proposals would provide approximately $5 billion more than the projected spending if the 2002 farm bill were extended.

The proposals can be viewed here. Also posted on USDA's website are the Farm Bill Forum transcripts, farm bill comments submitted by the public, theme papers summarizing the comments and USDA analysis papers.

In preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill, The Washington Post began publishing a series of articles in July 2006 critical of the existing farm bill. Titled "Harvesting Cash: Working A Farm Subsidy," the articles can be viewed here.

From Around the Globe ...
Radio Interview from the BBC, Biotech's Golden Rice

Listen here to "The World's" Jason Margolis report from The Philippines on a new variety of genetically modified rice. It's called "golden rice," and it's been engineered to contain vitamin A and improve the health of malnourished people. But critics of genetically modified foods are still having their say. (6:45 min. "Features Jan. 29.")

> Learn more about golden rice.

Ag-Focused Writing Contest for Students

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is calling upon seventh- to 12th-grade students to submit an original essay of 450 words about the importance of U.S. agriculture. This year's theme is "American Agriculture in 2025," and the deadline for entries is Feb. 19. Teachers are asked to encourage participating students to focus their essays on the potential landscape of American agriculture in 2025 based on where we are today and the opportunities that lie ahead.

This year's national winner will receive a $1,000 prize and roundtrip ticket to Washington, D.C., to be recognized during the March 15 Ag Day Luncheon held at the National Press Club. At the luncheon, the winning essayist will have the opportunity to join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a celebration of agriculture. Statewide winners of the contest also will be selected. Each will receive a $100 prize.

This is the 34th anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on the agriculture, food and fiber industry the first of each spring (National Ag Day), to help consumers understand not only how food and fiber products are produced, but to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. Entry applications and official rules for the contest can be found here.

Upcoming Industry Events

ASTA 46th Annual Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
2/3-2/6
Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Tucson, AZ

Texas Seed Trade Association Production & Research Conference
2/4-2/6
Omni Dallas Park West Hotel
Dallas, TX

InfoAg Midsouth
2/7-2/8
Bost Extension Center, Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS

21st Illinois/Indiana Seed Conditioning Workshop & 107th Indiana Crop Improvement Association Annual Conference
2/7-2/9
Sheraton Hotel Keystone
Indianapolis, IN

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Midyear Meeting
2/7-12
Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC

National Workshop on "Plant Breeding: A vital national capacity for the U.S. national goals" co-organized by the Departments of Crop & Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University & CSREES, USDA
2/8-9
Raleigh, NC

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events