Seed E-News

November 17, 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 . There will be no Seed E-News published the week of November 20 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Supports Keenum Nomination to USDA
Earlier this week, President George Bush nominated Dr. Mark Keenum to serve as Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. ASTA, along with other key ag groups has sent a letter of support to Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, encouraging the Senate to act expeditiously to confirm Keenum’s nomination.

ASTA noted it is critical to fill this position with both domestic and international farm policy in play. Efforts are underway to restart the Doha Round trade negotiations and the U.S. government is expected to prepare a critical defense of U.S. farm programs before the World Trade Organization which will likely impact the Administration’s position on the farm bill to be addressed by the 110th Congress.

Keenum received his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University and has extensive experience in the development and implementation of farm and trade policy acquired during his tenure as Legislative Assistant and Chief of Staff to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) during Senator Cochran’s service as Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. ASTA’s Executive Committee met with Keenum during its September meeting in Washington. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

CSS 2006 Early Registration Rates Expire Tuesday
Tuesday is the last day to receive early registration rates for ASTA's CSS 2006 conference and Seed Expo, being held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago December 5 - 8. Register today using ASTA’s new online registration system for the member rate of $250, non-member rate of $600 On Wednesday, Nov. 22, rates increase to $325 for members and $675 for non-members. Day Passes, allowing a single-day admission to the Seed Expo only, are also available online to members only at $100 each. A complete convention schedule can be reviewed here. Contact Jennifer Lord or Jason Laney or call the ASTA office, (703) 837-8140, if you have any questions.

Four-State Seed Conditioning Clinic Set for Feb. 7-8
The Kansas Crop Improvement Association (KCIA) is organizing a seed conditioning clinic and trade show for February 7-8, 2007, at the Holiday Inn in Salina, Kan. The program will be directed toward several angles of the industry, with presentations addressing management issues along with practical seed equipment and handling methods. The program aims to attract a wide audience—not only those who own and manage seed conditioning facilities, but also employees who may be new to the industry or in need of training.

Seed conditioners from a four-state area—Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma—are expected to attend the clinic. The seed clinic will be accompanied by a seed industry trade show that will feature the latest products and services in seed conditioning. Shelbourne Reynolds, Oliver Manufacturing, Syngenta, USC LLC, Boettcher Enterprises, Kansas Farmers Service Association, Great Plains Manufacturing, Bratney Companies, and EBM Mill & Elevator Supply are among the companies that will participate in the show. For more information contact: Alana McGough.

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LaVigne Attends Iowa Seed Meeting
"Iowa Seed in a Global Market" was the theme of the annual Iowa Seed Association meeting held earlier this week in Ames, Ia. ASTA CEO and President Andy LaVigne provided attendees with an update on ASTA's priorities. LaVigne emphasized to the group ASTA's desire to work closely with state associations in support of their actvities.

ASTA Requests Member Support of R&D Survey
ASTA is surveying its membership to identify the amount each invests in research and development in the areas of Germplasm, Transgenic Traits, Non-Transgenic Traits, Seed Treatments and Amendments, and Novel Processes. Each company will receive an electronic survey from ASTA CEO and President Andy LaVigne with a request for historical information from 2005. The goal is to create an aggregate number summarizing data that ASTA members can use to illustrate that the seed industry is a dynamic and evolving industry that constantly invests and improves product offerings for its customers.

All survey responses will be collected on a confidential basis by a third party and provided to ASTA for its use as an aggregate figure. The information will only be shared as sector totals, with no mention of specific company investments. The resulting information will be included in industry statistics that are shared with ASTA’s publics as it meets with the media, regulators, lawmakers and other stakeholders. At no time will individual company data be viewed by anyone other than the third party tabulating the data. For more information contact Lisa Dry.

USDA Hosts Discussion of Invasive Potential Imported Plants
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced its intention to host an electronic public discussion from November 27 through January 26, 2007, on methods that can be used to evaluate the potential of imported plants to become invasive species if they are introduced into the United States. Any interested person can register for the electronic discussion, which will allow participants to upload files and interact with other participants and with APHIS staff. The discussion will be accessible through a link on Plant Protection and Quarantine's Web page. Contact Polly Lehtonen.

Company News and People on the Move
On the heels of Taco Bell’s announcement that they will convert to a next generation high- stability canola oil to reduce trans fats in their foods, the company behind the technology, Dow AgroSciences LLC, announces it will increase crop production in 2007, with capacity to provide more than one billion pounds of a new high- stability canola oil. The new oil, which was developed by Dow AgroSciences, will be supplied by Bunge Oils, a business of Bunge North America.

BioDiagnostics, Inc., of River Falls, Wisc., announces the addition of Chandra-Shekara A.C., Ph.D., as Research and Development Scientist. Chandra-Shekara holds a doctorate of genetics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Dehli, India, and has performed postdoctoral research in plant molecular biology and plant pathology at the University of Kentucky. BioDiagnostics provides seed testing and germination services to the agricultural industry.

Seeds of Change Inc., of Santa Fe, N.M., announces the inaugural listing of their full commercial organic seed product line with the Organic Materials Review Institute. OMRI, based in Eugene, Ore., houses the online database of certified organic seed varieties as well as maintains a list of acceptable input products for use in organic production, handling and processing systems. Inclusion of varieties on this seed list means OMRI has verified their certification and makes this information available to farmers and certifiers. Organic farmers are required by USDA/NOP organic rules to buy organic seed when it is commercially available.

Upcoming Industry Events

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

National Grain and Feed Association Country Elevator/Feed Industry Conference 2006
12/3 - 12/5
Hyatt Regency Crown Center
Kansas City, MO

ASTA 61st Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo
12/5 - 12/8
Hyatt Regency
Chicago, IL

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events