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June 17, 2009
ASTA Sees Busy Week at World Seed Congress Over the course of the week, several important issues were discussed by various working groups, committees and sections, and five position papers were adopted of importance to the U.S. seed industry, including:
The congress also presents an incredible opportunity for ASTA staff to advance several international initiatives through meetings conducted on the fringes of the ISF event. ASTA staff members included President & CEO Andy LaVigne, Vice President of Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky, Senior Director for Seed Health and Trade Ric Dunkle and Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols. Stemming from objectives outlined in ASTA's strategy for international programs developed by the International Executive Committee in conjunction with ASTA's Country Working Groups, these side meetings in Turkey allowed for future international activities to be developed through face-to-face discussions. ASTA staff met with seed organizations and officials from China, Argentina, Afghanistan, Kenya, as well as regional affiliates such as the Seed Association of the Americas, the African Seed Trade Association and the Asia Pacific Seed Trade Association. Critical to the international trade of seed, the cooperation, consultation and exchanges resulting from these meetings will prove valuable in addressing key issues such as phytosanitary measures and intellectual property protection.
Get the Most Out of Your 126th ASTA Annual Convention ASTA's 126th Annual Convention is around the corner, June 20-24, in Scottsdale, Ariz. The evolution of the convention is truly apparent this year, with the most robust Annual Convention programming ever offered. The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, former CEO and chairman of the board at Kellogg Company and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, kicks off the event with a keynote address on the domestic and international business issues impacting America's business community. Also, this year's expanded and exceptional educational programming covers topics from the state of agribusiness to agricultural credit markets to sustainability. Additionally, a workshop on phytosanitary issues will be held. The Annual Convention offers much more. Following a panel discussion on intellectual property rights (IPR), decisions will be made on two key ASTA policy papers on IPR. "This year will be my first time attending the ASTA Annual Convention, and I have decided to attend this event due to the exciting programs and excellent networking opportunities that are available," says Bob Yaklich of Nunhems USA. "This one event is a great place to speak with agricultural professionals from all avenues of the seed industry." First-time ASTA exhibitor Jeff Henderson of Ryan Transportation says, "We were drawn to ASTA because of the close knit connection the Association brings to a company like ours. We have in the past been to large production trade shows where you are lost in the crowd; we feel the environment at the 126th Annual Convention is a perfect fit for a company like ours." As the seed industry addresses the challenges of the current economic downturn, ASTA members are mobilizing and recognizing more than ever the importance of a trade association - coming together as a collective voice has never been more crucial. "When my company recently put on travel restrictions I did not think twice about treating this as a personal vacation in Scottsdale, Ariz., and help support this industry that has been my whole career," says Alan Walker of Monsanto. "I look forward to the opportunity to share in ASTA committees and boards and do my best to contribute to the next generation of seed men and women." ASTA's Annual Report Now Available on Web The 2007-2008 Annual Report is now available on ASTA's Web site. The report highlights actions taken by the Association to meet the 10 goals outlined in ASTA's Strategic Plan, as well as commemorates the 125th anniversary of ASTA. Copies of the annual report will be distributed at the Annual Convention and mailed to the lead representative for each member company. Additional copies can be requested. To view a PDF version of the report, please click here.
Three FuSE Educational Units Teed Up for 2009 Highly popular with participants, the Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Units provide one-day educational and networking opportunities hosted by ASTA member companies in conjunction with local universities. Each Educational Unit features a company overview, sessions on various seed industry topics, a facility tour and a case study presented by a local university. The first 2009, Educational Unit will be held at Beck's Hybrids in Atlanta, Ind., on July 16, 2009, with an optional social event being held on July 15. Click here to register for the Beck's Educational Unit. The second educational unit will be held at The Scotts Company in Gervais, Ore., Aug. 27, 2009, with an optional social event being held on August 26. Please click here to register for the Educational Unit at Scotts. The third educational unit will be held at Harris Moran Seed Company in Modesto, Calif., on Oct. 23, 2009. This registration will be available on the ASTA and FuSE Web sites shortly. Should you have any questions about the upcoming Educational Units, please contact Jason Laney. FuSE to Hold Round Table Discussion Group (RTDG) on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems The RTDG conference call will take place on Aug. 22, 2009, at 12:30 p.m. EST. Moderating the call will be Danielle Darrough of Darrough Consulting, who will explain what a CRM is and how it can be utilized in your business. The CRM provides the methodologies for your sales team, marketing specialists, management, or that person at your front desk who is the 'face' of your company, to integrate the very personality of your customers with products available today, future products in development, or possible service agreement requirements. The CRM can track the purchase habits of your market giving forecast to the trends that same market might be likely to purchase in the future. The CRM assists in the gathering of and inter-departmental networking of information on your customer market. As a result, marketing campaigns are streamlined, sales teams are following up on more qualified sales leads, solid customer relationships are formed and/or improved upon, and your company's bottom line is maximized. Using a CRM in the seed business can be a very valuable tool in streamlining communications regarding your customers which can be made available to all parties including folks in the field, home office and management. A CRM can take on all different forms from a basic communication log to sales and customer pipeline management through targeted marketing programs. In an industry where customer loyalty is business critical, using a CRM tool in some form is business critical. To register for this RTDG or for more information go to www.futureseedexecutives.com or email info@futureseedexecutives.com.
Andrew (Andy) LaVigne Andrew (Andy) LaVigne joined ASTA in February 2006 as president and CEO. Andy has an extensive career in government relations, industry representation, public affairs advocacy and management, with expertise in agriculture, food policy and international trade. He currently serves on the Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee and the Sustainable Agriculture Standard Task Force. Prior to ASTA, he was the executive vice president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, representing citrus growers on issues affecting their business. Under his leadership, Florida Citrus Mutual was restructured to effectively maximize member benefits from the association while increasing the industry's political advocacy through state and federal grassroots and political action committee activities. Andy spent four years as the president and executive director of Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association, a non-profit, agricultural trade organization representing companies that specialize in crop protection and plant nutrition products. Prior to his time in Florida, Andy spent eight years in Washington, D.C. working in Congress and USDA. He served as legislative director for Congressman Charles Canady and as Agriculture Committee staffer for Congressman Tom Lewis. In both positions, he handled agriculture, environment, immigration and trade issues. At USDA, Andy served as confidential assistant to the Chief of Staff under Secretary Ed Madigan. Andy is a native of Florida with a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Minor in Economics. Residing in Virginia with his wife and son, he enjoys the outdoors, taking in a baseball game or soccer match, golfing and sailing, and particularly, helping coach his son's sports teams. To contact Andy LaVigne, please call the ASTA office or email him at alavigne@amseed.org. House Agriculture Committee Reviews Climate Change Legislation On June 11, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review pending climate change legislation under consideration by Congress. The Agriculture Committee heard testimony from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and from representatives of conservation, energy and agriculture-related organizations. "Many Members of the House Agriculture Committee have serious concerns about how climate change legislation being considered in Congress will affect the people living in their districts," Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said. "This hearing has helped us better understand what is being proposed and what can be done to improve the legislation." To view copies of the testimony submitted, please visit http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Hosts a Workshop on the Farm Bill On June 8-9, Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade, participated in a public workshop on section 10201 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. Over 100 stakeholders from the state agriculture departments and various agricultural associations participated in this workshop which was hosted by APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) at their facility in Riverdale, Md. Section 10201 directs USDA/APHIS to make available commodity credit corporation (CCC) funds to create a program for enhancing early detection and rapid response to pest threats to domestic crop production. The act authorizes $12 million in fiscal year (FY) 2009, $45 million in FY2010 and $50 million per year through 2017. ASTA has been promoting the Industry Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (I-PIPE) as an effective mechanism for the private sector to participate in pest survey activities. The road block has been finding ways for non-government information to be considered and utilized in government survey and pest distribution databases. Dunkle relayed recommendations on behalf of ASTA. It was suggested that APHIS invest more fully in the I-PIPE by modifying USDA database systems to allow entry of survey data from programs such as I-PIPE and that APHIS expand accreditation and certification programs through the existing National Seed Health System for private sector biologists so they can participate more effectively in these programs. Within the next several weeks, APHIS will be posting the results of this workshop on their Web site. "ASTA needs to remain involved in this effort," noted Dunkle. "We need to make sure the needs of our members are appropriately addressed in this program. We also need to partner with the other stakeholders to make sure Congress continues to support this program in the long term." Economy Tests State Administrative Resources As many states wrap up regular legislative sessions, many failed to adequately address their budget gaps during the allotted time. As a result, some state legislatures are getting called back for special sessions to determine a way to keep the state's "lights" on. Even though some say there is an end in sight for the recession, state income has dropped significantly and will be on the tail-end of the rebound. According to a report issued by the National Association of State Budget Officers, the states combine for a budget shortfall of at least $230 billion through fiscal year 2011. Even though the states will receive stimulus funding, these funds are expected to dry up before the economy recovers enough to replace the revenue stream. This is a problem that is not going to go away anytime soon. Although states have two choices, either to raise taxes or cut services, additional taxes will not be readily accepted by already-strapped consumers. Gradual cuts in state services are being eyed as the best option by lawmakers at this point. New York State Senate Republicans Stage Coup On June 8, the unprecedented move was an attempt to wrest leadership control from the Democrats who had held a 32-30 margin. In a vote for a leadership resolution, two Democrats, Senators Pedro Espada, Jr,. and Hiram Monserrate, sided with Republicans switching the leadership to the Republican party. The move prompted the Democrats to vacate the chamber, literally turning off the lights and locking the doors on their way out. Lawsuits by both parties complicated the rest of the week, thereby stalling any substantive action by the Senate. To add fuel to the fire, Monserrate reneged her vote on June 15, causing a stalemate for leadership selection. The state's legislature has two weeks left in this session. ASTA to Participate in China Technology Transfer Seminar ASTA will send a delegation to China, July 14-21, 2009. This will be the fourth trip by ASTA in the last two years to meet with government officials in China on intellectual property rights and variety registration, as part of ASTA's international program goals. During this upcoming trip, ASTA will participate in the Technology Transfer Seminar, jointly hosted by USDA and China's State Intellectual Property Organization (SIPO). The ASTA delegation will also hold meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and the China Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Office, SIPO and the State Council. The focus of these meetings will be on the PVP process in China, the importance of China joining the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and how the regulatory climate in China affects the ability of the seed industry to bring new, improved varieties to Chinese farmers. The delegation will then go to Jilin Province, a major corn producing province, to discuss the process of variety registration. ASTA Partners with Afghanistan National Seed Association (ANSA) During the recent Annual Congress of the Asia Pacific Seed Association in India, ASTA had the pleasure to meet delegates from the newly formed ANSA. As a follow up to the meeting, Abdul Ghafoor from ANSA visited the ASTA office in Alexandria, Va., to discuss the possibility for cooperation between ASTA and ANSA focused on capacity building for their new association. ASTA plans to utilize Emerging Market Program funds from the USDA cooperator programs to support a delegation of Afghan and U.S. Seed industry experts to travel to Turkey to visit U.S. seed companies in the region and discuss technical, regulatory and business aspects of seed trade. Focusing on good business practices, capacity building and the importance of quality seed, ASTA views this trip as an important step in the ongoing effort to foster cooperation between the U.S. and Afghan seed sectors and provides the opportunity to establish a relationship between organizations to identify viable projects, seed issues and possible opportunities for joint ventures in seed research, production and marketing. For more information on this effort, please contact Lisa Nichols. ASTA to Sponsor Workshop on Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) of Brassica Seed ASTA will sponsor a workshop on Brassica seed in conjunction with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). During the week of July 6, USDA/APHIS will conduct a training session on PRA for government risk assessors from several countries. Three scientists from Brazil will participate in the training session provided by USDA/APHIS at their Center for Plant Health Sciences and Technology in Raleigh, N.C. The visitors will stay in the U.S. a few days after the general training session to work with APHIS specialists to complete the PRA on Brassica seed. Several experts from the vegetable seed industry will be invited to serve as technical resources. ASTA has provided support to the travel expenses of the Brazilian scientists in order to ensure their participation in the training and workshop. "Logistical planning is nearly complete. It has taken quite an effort, but will be well worth it," notes Lisa Nichols, ASTA's director of international programs. Brazil has been conducting the Brassica seed PRA for at least two years. At issue is the pest list that includes pests and diseases known to be a problem on Brassica species but not associated with the seed. "This is a unique opportunity to finally get this PRA completed so our members can more effectively get Brassica seed safely into Brazil to meet market demands," said Tom Moore of Enza Zaden and chairman of the ASTA Phytosanitary Committee. During the 2009 Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes Annual Meeting on June 10-12, in Paris, France, several items of interest to ASTA members and affiliates were discussed and adopted. A resolution was passed to allow continued use of synonyms with the OECD Seed Scheme rules, but with much more rigor placed on company justification as to the need, as well as review, of other international usage. The designated authority of the country of registration is the enforcement level for the use of synonyms. When a company arranges off-shore production, via subsidiary or third party, and the production requires OECD certified eligibility status, a multiplication agreement is required between the designated authorities of the maintainer country and the producing country. This is not new, but adherence to this requirement has been fragmented in recent history. The system is being "tightened" with formalized requirements and procedures for both the company responsibility and the respective designated authorities. U.S. companies should be aware of the new process as non-compliance could place off-shore supply at risk. Another item of interest that received attention and discussion is the role of biochemical and molecular techniques in varietal identification and varietal purity. Nothing was resolved or adopted, but it is an area of concern that will be observed closely as it potentially could move the scheme from process validation into other areas. Additionally, the U.S. designated authority successfully received approval to place two new varieties onto the list of eligible varieties within the Grass and Legume Seed Schemes, as requested by U.S. seed industry. Also, efforts are underway to modify the annual dues assessment methods and begin implementation over the next several years. ASTA Assigned New Marketing Specialist from USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Each USDA Cooperator is assigned a marketing specialist to assist with market strategies and program implementation. ASTA is a USDA Cooperator under the Market Development Programs including Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and the Emerging Markets Program (EMP). For the past year ASTA has been working exclusively with Yvonne Dock and Jarrod Jones from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Office of Trade Programs (USDA-FAS-OTP). In addition to Yvonne and Jarrod, ASTA will now have the distinct pleasure of working with Meyra Mendoza-Reeder. Meyra is a new addition to the Field Crops and Forrest Products Branch of OTP. Prior to joining OTP, Meyra was an international economist in the USDA-FAS-Office of Negotiations and Agreements World Trade Organization Negotiations and Agreements Branch. She has extensive experience in trade policy and will be an excellent asset for ASTA and its USDA Cooperator Programs. For more information, please contact Lisa Nichols. ASTA Committees: Involvement = Greater Value Future Seed Executives Sub-Committee Description: Current Activities: Next Scheduled Meeting: Key Contacts: June 3. Gretchen Flanley, ASTA vice president for communications, participated in an industry panel of the AgBiotech Planning Committee who briefed representatives from International Services of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Many of these representatives will be involved in technical barriers to trade related to seed, including those derived from biotechnology. The panel provided an overview of issues facing agricultural trade in utilizing this technology. May 30-June 5. Leslie Cahill, ASTA vice president for government affairs, participated in the 99th Annual Meeting of the Association of Official Seed Analysts and 86th Annual Meeting of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists. The joint meeting, held in Ft. Collins, featured a number of sessions of interest to ASTA members, including vigor, seed count and the group's ongoing discussion on merging the two professional associations. ASTA was afforded an opportunity to provide an Association update at the opening session. June 9-11. Pat Miller, ASTA director of state affairs, was in New York for a variety of activities. He met with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Pat Hooker and Deputy Commissioner Jackie Moody-Czub to discuss their seed quality initiative proposal. Afterwards, Miller met with state seedsmen and other interested parties for a similar discussion. While in Albany, he met with staff from the offices of Assemblyman Magee (House Agriculture Committee Chairman), Senator Aubertine (Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman), and Senator Young (former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman) to thank them for their assistance in defeating the seed sales fee proposal and to bring them up-to-date on the seed quality initiative. Visits with representatives of the New York Farm Bureau and the New York Corn Growers Association were included in the agenda. June 16-18. Bernice Slutsky, ASTA vice president of science and international affairs, attended the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Technical Working Party (TWP) on Automation and Computer Programs, held at U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. The TWP addressed many issues related to testing for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability and the use of databases and computer systems in the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) process. These issues will be very important as UPOV discusses harmonization among UPOV members of the PVP application in electronic form.
Government Reports USDA
USDA/AMS
USDA/ARS
USDA/APHIS
USDA/ERS
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.
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129th Annual Convention • 2011 Farm & Lawn Seed Conf. • CSS 2011 & Seed Expo • 51st Vegetable & Flower Seed Conf. |