Seed E-News

October 27, 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. Past issues can be viewed here .

ASTA Assists Minnesota Members
Recently a number of ASTA members alerted the Association to concerns regarding enforcement for the labeling of varieties and brands in Minnesota for field plot signs. ASTA was advised that some plot signs were found to be in violation of the state’s statute. Initially, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture stipulated that field plot signs for the 2007 season should be corrected by “either manufacturing new ones or by adding an adhesive- backed label with the word ‘brand’ immediately following or below the brand name” on existing signs.

ASTA recognized the significance of this issue for the seed industry and worked with ASTA legal counsel, Gary Kushner, to obtain guidance from the state for the 2007 season. In correspondence received on October 18, Geiir Frisoe, Director Plant Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, responded to ASTA that the Department had issued misleading citations and that “plot signage, which is a form of advertising, does need to be truthful, but the specific brand/variety identifications mandated for seed labels do not extend to these plot signs.”

Updates on requirements for labeling seed in Minnesota and regulatory programs can be accessed here. Special thanks are extended to Greg Ruehle of the Independent Professional Seedsmen Association and to Gary Beil of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association. Their involvement along with a number of ASTA members led to a timely and positive outcome. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

Read more ...

Taking time for a photo opportunity, members of the Vietnam delegation pose with USGC Chairman Vic Miller. From left: Trong Chien Tran, USGC’s country representative for Vietnam; Miller; Kim Anh Tran, deputy director of the National Agricultural Extension Center; and Hung Trieu Van, director general – Department of Science and Technology.

Biotech Conference Builds International Relationships
Bernice Slutsky, ASTA Vice President for Science & International Affairs, traveled to the midwest last week to participate in a program to help international groups better understand biotechnology. Questions were answered and relationships were made as more than 70 top policymakers from more than 20 countries participated in the fifth International Biotechnology Information Conference Oct. 15-21. Sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Nebraska Corn Board and National Corn Growers Association, the conference focused on international agreements and national safety regulations that apply to modern biotechnology while also exploring firsthand the realities of grain production and handling in the United States.

For many of the international governmental regulators participating in the conference, this was a unique opportunity to learn about the practice of risk assessment, risk management, risk communication and decision making when it comes to biotechnology. This conference also provided them the chance to walk through fields and see biotech crops being grown and harvested and later going into the food chain. For more information contact Bernice Slutsky.

Read more ...

2007 Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Planning Committees Now Forming
Recruitment for the Program Planning Committees for the December 2007 62nd Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference and the 37th Soybean Seed Research Conference has begun with the first meetings scheduled in Chicago December 7-8 during the CSS 2006 convention. Follow-up meetings to plan program specifics will be held March 8-9, 2007, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. The Chairmen are seeking volunteers to provide ideas that will generate the program content. If interested, please contact Jennifer Lord.

ASTA Participates in Atlantic Seed Association Convention
On October 16, Leslie Cahill represented the American Seed Trade Association at the 54th annual meeting of the Atlantic Seed Association in Toronto. The ASTA update was provided by Regional Vice President, Wayne Gale of Stokes Seeds.

ASTA routinely participates in state and regional seed association meetings to learn firsthand about issues and ways to complement and supplement priorities. ASTA will conduct a special state/regional seed association workshop in February 2007 during the Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference in Tucson.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to identify issues, review coverage of state and local issues and commit to a work plan that will ensure coordination and effective management of regulatory and legislative issues affecting the seed industry. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

Industry Execs Discuss Education Opportunities
Betty Jones, Associate Director, Center for Food and Agricultural Business at Purdue University, visited the ASTA office this week to meet with Andy LaVigne and other ASTA staff members to discuss the future of current as well as potential new educational efforts that serve members through the activities of the Management Skills Committee. One topic of conversation was the possibility of offering the academy outside of the United States. The ASTA Management Academy, now in its 20th year, will be conducted on the Purdue University campus March 5-9, 2007. For more information contact Betty Jones.

ASTA Prepares for Quasquicentennial
Got your attention? In 2008, ASTA marks its 125th anniversary and plans are underway for a comprehensive celebration of “member memories” during the annual conference. ASTA is collecting members’ photos, mementos, and personal memories from conventions of past years, to be included in a retrospective tribute to the members and attendees who have participated in conventions over the years. The convention will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and will employ the use of concepts pioneered by Disney to create a meaningful experience for the anniversary commemoration. If you have a special photo, memory or souvenir that you would like to share for this compilation, please contact Jennifer Lord.

Online Registration Opens for CSS 2006
Online registration for CSS 2006 is open and the deadline for hotel rooms is approaching. Hotel reservations can be made at the Hyatt Regency Chicago through ASTA's Web site portal. The ASTA group rate is considerably lower than the regular rate, ($114 per night for a single), but is only available until November 10. Reservations can also be made by calling the Hyatt at 1-888-421-1442, and asking for the American Seed Trade Association's room block.

Seed World Visits ASTA Headquarters
Robynne Anderson, publisher of Seed World, visited ASTA's offices this week to film an interview with CEO and President Andy LaVigne. The interview is for a future "Industry Giants" profile which is hosted by SeedQuest. The purpose is to explore what leaders in the industry are saying about the challenges and opportunities in the seed sector. Previous topics have included farm-saved seed, consolidation, mentorship, and more.

Upcoming Industry Events

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

2006 Corn Belt Seed Conference
Indiana Seed Trade Association
11/8 - 11/9
Marriott East Indianapolis, IN

104th Iowa Seed Association Annual Convention
11/13 - 11/14
Gateway Center
Ames, IA

U.S. Grains Council International Marketing Conference & 47th Annual Membership Meeting
12/2 - 12/5
Crowne Plaza Los Cabos - Grand Faro
Los Cabos, Mexico

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