Seed E-News

September 29, 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.

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Michigan State Receives EPA Grant to Study Potential Allergic Reactions from Biotech Foods

Future Seed Executives Event Set for October
ASTA's Future Seed Executives (FuSE) sub-committee has scheduled the next Educational Unit (EU) on October 12. This event will be hosted by Pioneer Hi-Bred, International in conjunction with Iowa State University and take place at Pioneer's U.S. corporate headquarters in Johnston, Iowa. The EU will include presentations on the Biofuels Market, End-Use R&D, Seed Production and Biotechnology Compliance. There will also be a tour of the Pioneer facility and an interactive case study on intellectual property. This is an opportunity to learn more about Pioneer's operations and also network with other professionals in the seed industry. Click here for the program agenda.

Pioneer senior executives Dean Oestreich (President) and Mike Gumina (VP Supply Management) will also attend. FuSE Educational 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. The cost to participate is $100 ($150 for non-ASTA members) and space is limited to 25 participants. Click here to complete the registration form and fax to Alexis Ellicott or Barb Surian @ (703) 837-9365 or email info@futureseedexecutives.com.

Larry Bryant Added to Lawn and Seed Meeting Program
Larry Bryant of the U.S. Forest Service has been added to the roster of speakers for the ASTA Farm and Lawn Seed Conference November 4-7 in Kansas City, Mo. Bryant will address the native plant policy guidance. He joins Lori Williams, executive director of the Invasive Species Advisory Council and Richard Hamilton, CEO of Ceres. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

Burton Eller Named Head of USDA Marketing & Regulatory Programs
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner has named Burton Eller to serve as Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP). Eller will assist Under Secretary Bruce Knight and work with Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Chuck Lambert to oversee the management of USDA's MRP mission area. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international agricultural standards. USDA agencies that make up the MRP mission area include the Agricultural Marketing Service; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration.

ASTA Explores Seed Industry Opportunities in China

Last week ASTA's Alexis Ellicott and consultant Patrick Wei met with seed industry officials and ASTA member companies in China to better understand the business climate. In a meeting with He Zhong Hua, president of the China National Seed Trade Association, ASTA expressed a desire to promote a better understanding of common interests and future coordination for cooperative activities to assist members of both organizations in business opportunities. Funding for the trip was provided through USDA's cooperator program. According to the International Seed Federation, China imported $89 million of agricultural and horticultural seeds in 2004. For more information contact Alexis Ellicott.

National Plant Breeding Workshop to Address Goals

"Plant breeding: A vital capacity for U.S. national goals" is the title of a workshop for public- and private- sector plant breeders, to be held February 8-9 in Raleigh, N.C. The event has been planned by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), USDA, and the Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University. The organizers seek to establish a regular opportunity for all U.S. plant breeders to work together. Participation is limited to 250, and early bird registration closes October 15. For more information contact Ann Marie Thro, National Program Leader for plant breeding and Genetics Plant and Animal Systems Unit, CSREES.

ASTA Participates in State Association Info Exchange
Last week ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne attended the annual meeting of Out of Focus. Out of Focus is a collection of state associations that represent the feed, seed, fertilizer and ag chemical industries. Key topics for discussion were the changing nature of the seed industry, biotechnology and organic issues and their impact on state and regional processes. Twenty-five states were represented as well as CropLife America, The Fertilizer Institute, the Biotechnology Industry Organization and the American Feed Industry Association. Participation in such meetings is a key component of ASTA's education and outreach program which helps to establish ASTA as the primary voice for seed industry issues.

Schedule Change to December CSS and Seed Expo
As you make plans to attend the December 2006 Corn and Soybean & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference (CSS), please note format changes which may affect your arrival date. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, a large Opening General Session is scheduled to cover topics formerly discussed within individual meetings of the Biotechnology Committee, the Intellectual Property Rights Committee, the Seed Treatment and Environment Committee, the Corn & Sorghum Division Meeting, and the Soybean Division meeting. This change is based on attendee feedback to develop a more efficient format to hear discussion on current seed industry issues.

The afternoon of December 6 will feature a workshop on the standard Material Transfer Agreement (sMTA) just concluded under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). U.S. government negotiators and industry representatives will explain what the sMTA does and the impact it might have on your business. For more information contact Bernice Slutsky. The complete agenda is available here.

ASTA Welcomes New Member
• Fumigation Service & Supply of Westfield, IN

Upcoming Industry Events

Atlantic Seed Association Annual Meeting
10/14 - 10/17
Toronto, Canada
InterContinental Toronto Centre
Toronto, ON
Canada

Western Seed Association Meeting
ASTA Farm and Lawn Seed Meeting
11/4-11/7
Western Crown Center
Kansas City, MO

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events American Seed Trade Association