Wednesday, September 30 is the final day to take advantage of an 80% “First Access” discount for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Virtual CSS & Seed Expo Virtual, December 7-9. ASTA is looking forward to the opportunity in 2020 to bring our membership and seed industry community together for a time-honored tradition this December. Come together with seed professionals …
ZimmCast 656 – Virtual ASTA CSS and Seed Expo
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. This week, we check in with the American Seed Trade Association to see how they have adapted to the reality of a virtual world and taken its annual conferences to a new level. Founded in 1883, ASTA is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States and they conduct four regular events …
New Farmer Survey Documents Cover Crop Benefits
The 2019-2020 National Cover Crop Survey released this week found that despite the crippling rainfall that significantly delayed planting across much of the country in 2019, more than 90% of farmers participating reported that cover crops allowed them to plant earlier or at the same time as non-cover-cropped fields. Among those who had “planted green,” seeding cash crops into growing …
Remembering Seed Industry Legend Owen Newlin
The agriculture industry is mourning the passing of Dr. Owen Newlin, who spent 44 years helping to guide the development and production of new corn hybrids at Pioneer. Newlin, who was actively involved in both the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) over the years, was 92. Dr. Newlin contributed to tremendous growth in the …
ASTA Announces New Leadership and Award Winners
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a virtual annual meeting last week where the organization announced new leadership and annual award winners. Members of the FY2020-21 ASTA officer team as of July 1 are: Chair: John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Alexander, IA First Vice Chair: Brad May, BASF, Research Triangle Park, NC Second Vice Chair: Jim Schweigert, Gro Alliance, …
USDA SECURE Rule Paves Way for Agricultural Innovation
The final rule updating and modernizing USDA’s biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act was approved this week. The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule will bring USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations into the 21st century by removing duplicative and antiquated processes in order to facilitate the development and availability of these technologies through a transparent, consistent, science-based, and …
Next Generation Wheat Markets
A panel at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo dove deeper into the subject of next generation wheat markets. Mark Gold of Top Third Ag Marketing discussed wheat trends, while Jeff Koscelny of Bayer tackled adding value to wheat. Jody Pollok-Newson with the Michigan Wheat Program shared more information about private/public wheat partnerships. Listen to each …
A New Look at Corn and Soybean Production
Those attending the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo had the opportunity to learn more about modern corn and soybean production from a couple of industry experts. Retired University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Emerson Nafziger provided some insight on managing today’s more efficient corn hybrids. “My basic thesis is that hybrids have gotten so much better that …
Thriving Amongst the Giants
A general session at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo addressed needs of seed businesses who are employing key business strategies to ensure success in an environment of transition and consolidation. The panel, entitled “Thriving Amongst the Giants,” featured Scott Beck of Beck’s Hybrids, John Latham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Myron Stine of Midwest Oilseeds, and …
Research Looks at Farmers of the Future
Research presented at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo answered questions about who the farmers of the future will be and what they will need from the agriculture industry. “The goal is to help the industry have some focus on what’s coming, think about their own plans, how they can disrupt themselves to become more competitive, …