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May 18, 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. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Lisa Dry at ASTA. Past issues can be viewed here .
Reports from USDA • Ethanol Expansion in the United States: How Will The Agricultural Sector Adjust? ASTA Staff Attends Farm Bill Program Leslie Cahill attended a May 17 event sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute titled, The 2007 Farm Bill and Beyond. The conference brought together a wide spectrum of agribusiness and featured a number of speakers on issues affecting agriculture, including the seed industry. Panelists discussed various commodity titles of the current and future farm bills. In addition, specialty crops and dairy interests were also highlighted as were conservation; crop insurance and trade. A special roundtable on policy focused on future directions; global implications and competitiveness. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.
Fifteen Year Corn Survey Shows Gains in Yield, Plants and Ears A USDA report issued today states U.S. grain production in corn has increased 12 percent since 1992, primarily due to increased yields. The report, "Corn Objective Yield Survey Data, 1992-2006," was compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Data was compared for seven major corn producing states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin) over a 15-year reference period. This report examines the changes in the number of plants per acre, ears per acre, and average row width indicated by the objective yield survey over the last 15 years. The report also looks at the changes in the derived weight per ear, which is calculated by dividing the final Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) yield by the objective yield survey indicated number of ears per acre. According to NASS, "The objective yield indicated number of plants and ears per acre have shown increases similar to yield over the last 15 years. The seven objective yield states averaged a record high 27,421 plants per acre in 2006, up 18 percent from the 23,143 plants per acre in 1992. During this same time, the number of ears per acre increased 13 percent, from 23,622 ears per acre in 1992 to 26,591 ears per acre in 2006. The record high number of ears per acre, of 26,884, occurred in 2004. The 15-year trend line shows the ears per acre increased 17 percent, from 22,734 ears per acre in 1992 to 26,534 ears per acre in 2006."
On Capitol Hill ... Progress on Farm Bill The House Agriculture Committee announced in a press conference yesterday its plan for the 2007 Farm Bill, and later approved measures for floor consideration that address farm-based renewable energy, eminent domain, and hunger relief efforts. H. Res. 79 would recognize the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions of those programs' efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in need.
State of the States ... Southern Seed Dealers Meet with Capitol Hill Representatives. Last week, in conjunction with the Southern Crop Protection Association's annual Capitol Hill visit, members of the Southern Seed Association (SSA)came to Washington to visit their members of Congress and to discuss issues important to the seed industry. Eight seedsmen made visits to more than 40 Representatives and Senators to discuss seed issues and to carry the ASTA position in support of preemption. For more information on state legislative issues contact Pat Miller.
Biofuels Infrastructure Focus of Commerce Department Conference "Building Biofuels Infrastructure" is the title of a conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA) on June 19 in Washington. This one-day event will highlight the overall development of domestic and international biofuels infrastructure, with emphasis on the advancement of U.S. competitiveness in the biofuels industry. The luncheon keynote address will be delivered by Franklin L. Lavin, Under Secretary, ITA, U.S. Department of Commerce and titled "Strengthening U.S. Industrial Competitiveness Through Biofuels." Other presentations will include: "Planting and Agriculture Equipment for Grains," "Biofuels Infrastructure Funding Sources," "Multilateral Organizations and Development Banks," and "Biofuels Standards in a Global Context." For additional information, please contact Sam Beatty at (202) 482-4179, Samuel.Beatty@mail.doc.gov or Shannon Fraser at (202) 482-3609, Shannon.Fraser@mail.doc.gov. Registration deadline is June 8 and space is limited.
Company News and People on the Move ... Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, one of the nation's leading public accounting and consulting firms, has named Doug Nisley, CPA, as executive-in-charge of its food and agribusiness services. Nisley joined the firm in 1980 and has worked extensively with agribusiness, manufacturing and distribution companies in the areas of audit and review services, succession planning, financial and tax planning, business expansion and acquisitions and strategic planning. In his new role, Nisley plans to expand Crowe's services in the food and agribusiness industry including the industrial uses of commodities for biofuels.
Upcoming Industry Events
Oregon Seed Trade Association Annual Meeting Illinois Seed Trade Annual Meeting The Illinois Seed Trade Hacker/Slacker Golf Outing
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events
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Grain Handler's Database • Seed Quality Management • CSS 2008 & Seed Expo • 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference • 125th Annual Convention |