Seed E-News

March 18, 2005

Registration Now Open for ASTA's 122nd Annual Convention
The first opportunity to register for ASTA's 122nd Annual Convention, being held June 18-22, 2005 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, is now open on ASTA's web site. Featuring a top-notch line up of general session speakers, a variety of special events, fun sporting events, and a host of exciting optional tours, this year's Annual Convention continues to raise the bar on the ASTA convention experience. Some sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are also still available. Visit the 2005 Annual Convention section for conference registration, hotel rooms, sponsorships, and exhibits, as well as an updated convention schedule and description of all special events.

Future Seed Executives 2005 - Leading and Reacting to Change
ASTA's Future Seed Executive (FuSE) initiative is please to announce its first Educational Unit to be hosted by Landec Ag in Monticello, IN on Friday, April 1, 2005 (8:30 am - 3:00 pm). This one-day session will provide insight into Landec Ag's unique approach to direct sales via its Fielder's Choice Direct hybrid corn seed brand and how they have led the industry with their Intellicoat seed coating technology. Landec Ag, Inc. is the ninth largest hybrid corn seed company in the U.S. and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landec Corporation. As the first part of the program, Landec Ag will present an overview of the company, provide a brief tour of its facilities and hold a question and answer session for participants. During the second part of the program, Dr. Jay Akridge of Purdue University will lead participants through an interactive discussion and analysis of a case study.

Cost for attending this event is $100 for ASTA members and $150 for non-members. Space is limited to the first 25 paid participants, so register soon! For participants joining from out of town, FuSE will organize a cash-bar social event on Thursday evening, March 31. For information about this specific event, contact David Nothmann at (314) 694-6957.

FuSE Educational Units target individuals with less than seven years of seed industry experience. These units complement programs offered by the ASTA Management Academy and are designed as regional opportunities to expand learning, promote networking and improve general understanding of the seed industry. For more information about other programs offered by FuSE, contact Alexis Ellicott at (703) 837-8140. Future events include:

If you are interested in hosting a FuSE Educational Unit at your facility, please contact David Nothmann at (314) 694-6957. A special thanks to all FuSE sponsors:

• Monsanto
• Gro Alliance
• Kincannon & Reed
• Fontanelle Hybrids
• Heartland Hybrids
• Jung Seed Genetics
• Landec Ag
• Purdue University
• University of Nebraska

If you'd like more information about becoming a FuSE sponsor and the associated benefits, please contact Jim Schweigert at (608) 744-7333.

APHIS/ASTA Workshop Please mark you calendar for this important event. The next APHIS/ASTA Workshop is scheduled for April 21, 2005 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Headquarters in Washington, DC. Following the format of the Fall 2004 workshop, company representatives will have another opportunity to address seed-related issues on international trade, biotechnology, bioterrorism, and more, through presentations by APHIS officials and open discussion. The program for the workshop, which will last the whole day, is still being developed. More information on the workshop will be provided as soon as it is available. In the meantime, anyone interested in attending, or seeking more information, should contact Alexis Ellicott on (703) 837-8140 or at aellicott@amseed.org.

NASS Announces Changes to the March Prospective Plantings and Grain Stock Reports
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon be surveying the Nation's farmers and ranchers to ask about their planting intentions and grain stock inventories. The results of this survey will be published in the Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports released on March 31, 2005. The following changes will be included in these reports:

• A series of questions has been added to the 2005 survey in response to the discovery of Asian soybean rust in the continental United States. The results will be published in the Prospective Plantings report and will measure producer awareness of the disease and whether its discovery impacted their soybean planting intentions for the 2005 crop year.
• Intended flaxseed planted acreage will be included in the Prospective Plantings report for Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Expected harvested area for oats will no longer be included in the Prospective Plantings report.
• Corn, soybean and cotton acreage intended to be planted to varieties enhanced through biotechnology will no longer be included in the Prospective Plantings report. Estimates will continue to be published in the June Acreage report scheduled to be released June 30, 2005.
• March 1 on-farm and off-farm stocks of sunflower seed by variety will be published in the Grain Stocks report for the first time.

Find agricultural statistics for your county, State, and the Nation at www.usda.gov/nass/.

USDA grants Protection to Fourteen New Plant Varieties
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2005. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued certificates of protection to developers of five new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants. They include cotton and potato. The five certificates are being issued under the Plant Variety Protection Act. The certificates require that the varieties be new, distinct, uniform and stable. The owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import and export their products in the United States for the duration of protection. The five certificates are:

• the ST 5242BR variety of cotton, developed by Emergent Genetics Inc., Memphis, TN;
• the GC-204 variety of cotton, developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Johnston, IA;
• the Del Mar variety of cotton, developed by California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors, Bakersfield, CA; and
• the Summit Russet and Defender varieties of potato, developed by Idaho Research Foundation Inc., Moscow, Idaho.

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2005. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued certificates of protection to developers of nine new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants. They include soybean and wheat. The nine certificates are being issued under the Plant Variety Protection Act. The certificates require that the varieties be new, distinct, uniform and stable. The owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import and export their products in the United States for the duration of protection. The nine certificates are:

• the Hinson Long Juvenile variety of soybean, developed by Florida Agricultural Experiment Station University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL;
• the AG5701, 0040887, A5944 and SE84950 varieties of soybean, developed by Monsanto Technology LLC., Ames, IA;
• the 5002T* variety of soybean, developed by Tennessee Advanced Genetics Inc., Nashville, TN
• the Super Dirkwin variety of common wheat, developed by Idaho Research Foundation Inc. representing the interests of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station and the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID;
• the NC-Neuse* variety of common wheat, developed by North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC; and
• the LA841 variety of common wheat, developed by Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service administers the Plant Variety Protection Act, which provides time-limited marketing protection to developers of new and distinct seed- reproduced and tuber-propagated plants ranging from farm crops to flowers. For additional information contact the Plant Variety Protection Office at telephone (301) 504-5518, fax (301) 504-5291 or the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/science/PVPO/pvpindex.htm.

Europe delays Vote on GM Sweetcorn, again EU environment experts opt to delay a vote on the entry of a GM sweetcorn into the European food chain, revealing ongoing divisions between member states on the issue. Full Story.

EU to Push for GMO Foods Despite Opposition
Europe should press ahead with authorizing more genetically modified (GMO) foods despite overwhelming opposition among European consumers, a draft EU document showed on Friday, March 18. Citing the lack of unanimity among the European Union's 25 member states on gene-altered crops ö viewed by many European consumers as "Frankenstein foods" — the EU executive plans to push new products through the system. The document, obtained by Reuters, says the Commission should back the "continued submission of draft decisions for the placing on the market of new GMO products". It will need support from a majority in the 25-strong Commission to become policy. Full Story from Reuters

UK Farms 'Want to Grow GM Crops'
Genetically modified crops could be grown in the UK within 10 years according to Monsanto. Talking to the BBC's Farming Today program, company president Hugh Grant said that Monsanto's research showed that most UK farmers wanted the chance to grow GM. Following a five-year national debate, the British government said last year that GM crops could be grown under strict conditions. However, Friends Of The Earth says farmers are skeptical and consumers do not want the crops because of safety fears. Full Story.

Nobel Laureate Pitches for GM Technology
In a speech in New Delhi on March 16, legendary agricultural scientist and Nobel Laureate, Dr Norman Borlaug, made a strong case for adoption of genetically-modified (GM) technologies to enhance agricultural growth in developing countries. Delivering the Coromandel Lecture instituted by the Murugappa Group at a scientific convention, marking the centenary celebrations of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Dr Borlaug also said he did not favor the use of the term GMOs. Read more Here and Here.

North Dakota House Approves Seed Regulation Bill
Local governments may regulate feedlots and dairy operations, but they should not be permitted to impose restrictions on seed, the North Dakota House decided. The legislation was introduced out of concern that local jurisdictions may regulate genetically modified seed, supporters said Tuesday. The one-page bill bars local government regulation of "registration, labeling, distribution, sale, handling, use, application, transportation or disposal of seed." Representatives approved the bill on Tuesday March 8, 69-25 and it now goes to Gov. John Hoeven for his review.

USDA launches Informative One-Stop Soybean Rust Web Site
In Washington, DC on March 15, 2005, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns unveiled USDA's interactive soybean rust Web site as part of a national soybean rust plant disease surveillance and monitoring network. The one-stop federal resource, Soybean Rust Information Site provides timely information on the extent and severity of soybean rust outbreaks in the United States, Caribbean basin and Central America. It will give users up-to-date forecasts on where soybean rust is likely to appear in the United States, reports where the disease exists by county, refers growers to county extension agents nationwide, lists the National Plant Diagnostic Networks laboratories and links to other Web sites to give producers effective disease management options.

USDA agencies, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; the Risk Management Agency; and the Agricultural Research Service, partnered with soybean industry organizations, state departments of agriculture and many in the research and scientific communities to launch this comprehensive Web site. This effort is part of the strategic plan that USDA implemented in 2002 in anticipation of a potential soybean rust find in the U.S., which established priorities of protection, detection, response and recovery.

Soybean Rust Forecast Center
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently confirmed that soybean rust had been found over-wintering on kudzu plants in Florida. The announcement came at almost the same time that the Soybean Rust Forecast Center launched its web site. The forecasts will be generated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from March through October. You may wish to bookmark this web site although ASTA E-News will continue to provide a hyperlink through October 2005.

The program will be offered March 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Universityâs Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead and March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northeast Community College Ag Complex in Norfolk. Due to overwhelming response, the March 30 venue at Norfolk was moved to the Northeast Community College (NECC) Ag Complex — a larger facility. The complex is near the junction of Benjamin Street and Hwy. 35. This training is part of the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extensionâs Crop Management Winter Programs. The program is designed for, but not limited to: crop consultants, certified crop advisors, growers, cooperative extension personnel, state and federal inspectors, master gardeners, and others involved in plant health management. Those attending will be able to enhance their pest identification skills, learn about exotic pest issues that may threaten Nebraska agriculture, and become a registered First Detector.

This class is limited to 65 participants so early registration is recommended and will help ensure that appropriate class materials are available. This training session, which costs $25, is available at a reduced rate courtesy of the Great Plains Diagnostic Network. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, and workshop and reference materials. Register on-line Here or call 402-624-8000, fax 402-624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu, or write to NU ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033.

US Grains Council Global Update
The weekly global update is provided at the request of the Corn & Sorghum Division. Follow the link for the update for week ending March 11, 2005 and March 18, 2005.

Industry and People
If your company or organization has any personnel changes or other developments that you would like to see included in the ASTA E-News, please send details to ppatterson@amseed.org.

ASTA Conferences and Activities

April 21, 2005
APHIS/ASTA Workshop
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Jefferson Streets
Washington, DC

June 18-22, 2005
122nd ASTA Annual Convention
Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Tower
Seattle, WA
Registration

November 5-8, 2005
ASTA Farm & Lawn Seed Meeting
Westin Crown Center
Kansas City, MO
(held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association)

December 7-9. 2005
60th Corn & Sorghum and
35th Soybean Research Conferences
Hyatt Regency
Chicago, IL

January 2006
Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island, FL

Upcoming Events

April 2005
PCR Workshops
The Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST) and the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) are sponsoring a three part workshop for those interested in learning about Real-Time PCR and its purpose in seed testing. The workshop will consist of:

The first two parts will not require any traveling. However, you will need access to a computer and phone. In the first part, topics will include how Real-Time works and what it does. The 2nd part will involve how to design the primers and probes. Part three is the hands-on workshop at Iowa State Seed Science Center and will include running through hands-on sample processing and experiment from DNA isolation to data analysis. Quality-critical steps and the use of appropriate controls will be highlighted throughout the process, pointing out what the critical steps are, and what control to include in order to have interpretable results. Workshop participants will receive RGT/CGT continuing education points, one for each seminar attended and 3 for the hands-on workshop.

The Registration Form can be downloaded from the SCST website. www.seedtechnology.net. If you have any questions contact Anita Hall, SCST executive director: 607-256-3313, scst@twcny.rr.com.

To register, visit: https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/pcr/quickregister.html.

ISTA Ordinary Meeting 2005
At the invitation of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, ISTA will be holding its Ordinary Meeting 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand April 25-28, 2005. To register, follow this link ISTA Online. The meeting is aimed at discussing and deciding on proposals for changes to the ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing and business items of the Association, with the international participation of ISTA delegates and representatives from both the seed industry and governments, including experts in seed technology, scientific research and laboratory accreditation. The final program can be downloaded Here.

May 2005
International Seed Federation Congress 2005
The ISF Congress 2005 will be held in Santiago, Chile, May 30-June 1, 2005. The ISF Congress 2005 web site, which is under construction, can be found Here.

July 2005
Colorado State University Seed Analyst Workshops
Two five-day Seed Analyst Workshops will again be held at Colorado State University (CSU), in Fort Collins, Colorado, July 11-22, 2005. Each will be restricted to 10-20 students. The July 11-15 workshop, "Seed Identification and Purity Analysis," provides an extensive hands-on experience with seeds of legumes, cereals, grasses, revegetation species, vegetables and flowers. The emphasis will be on grass species identification and the use of blowing points and multiple unit factors for determining pure seed. Noxious weeds common to these groups are also emphasized. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to collect seeds of many different grasses and legumes. The July 18-22 workshop, "Seed Viability," offers lectures and practical experience in viability testing, including germination dormancy, vigor and tetrazolium. The emphasis will be on the use of tetrazolium when testing seed viability of native species. An educational tour of regional seed labs and a visit to the Denver Botanical Gardens are included with this workshop.

The workshops are an excellent preparation for taking the qualifying exams to become a Registered Seed Technologist (RST) or a Certified Seed Analyst. The workshops provide a review of fundamentals of seed anatomy, identification, purity, physiology, and viability testing. The fee for each workshop, including materials, is $200 ($350 if both workshops are taken). Reasonable accommodations are available at nearby motels. The workshops are offered in conjunction with the Seed Analyst Training Program offered by CSU through its Division of Educational Outreach. This program introduced in early 1998, is comprised of the following courses, some of which may be prerequisites for the workshops, depending on the studentâs training and experience:

These courses may be taken throughout the year, anywhere in the world. To date, over 350 students have enrolled representing 24 states and 7 countries. The courses are recommended by AOSA/SCST for beginning and experienced seed analysts. Credits apply towards points needed to take the RST accreditation examination. To register for the courses and workshops, contact:

Colorado State University
Division of Continuing Education
1040 Campus Delivery, Spruce Hall
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1040
Phone: 1-877-491-4336 OR 1-970-491-5288
E-Mail: info@learn.colostate.edu
Website: www.learn.colostate.edu

For information or questions on the courses and workshops, contact Carissa Schow (970-491-6295) or Jim Bruce (970-495-3246).

November 2005
Soybean Rust Workshop
The American Phyto-Pathological Society has scheduled a workshop in conjunction with USDA and the American Soybean Board for November 15-16, 2005 to discuss soybean rust. This will be a national level workshop based on science. There is no venue yet for the meeting.