Evolution of Plant Breeding in Focus at #ASTACSS

Kelly Marshall

ASTA CSS in Chicago this week brought together a panel of experts to talk about the future of gene editing and it’s role in the agriculture industry. “Plant breeding is an evolving practice. It’s an evolving science.” said American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Plant breeding builds upon itself.” LaVigne outlined the milestones in plant breeding, beginning …

ASTA, Audio, Plant Breeding, Seed

The Ag Outlook at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

The perennial highlight of the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo is Dan Basse with Ag Resource Company with his global ag outlook. No one can cram as much information into a one hour presentation as Dan Basse! Despite the downturn in the farm economy domestically, Basse says it was better on a global scale. “If you’re sitting in Brazil, Russia, …

ASTA, Audio

Moving the Middle at #ASTACSS

Kelly Marshall

Tim Hassigner with Dow AgroSciences was at ASTA CSS & Seed Expo to talk with members of the seed industry about the gap in information between themselves and consumers. “It’s definitely a time when there’s more questions and concerns related to food, but […] information sharing can make a difference,” he told the audience durning the morning session. The consumer …

ASTA, Audio, GMO

#JustGrowIt Video Unveiled at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

A new video that puts a face on plant breeders was unveiled by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the opening general session of its CSS 2016 & Seed Expo in Chicago Tuesday. The “Mom, Gardener, Plant Breeder” video is the latest initiative in ASTA’s “Better Seed, Better Life” communications program and it features Jessie Alt, a mother, home …

ASTA, Seed, Video

Heading to #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

We’ll be heading out today for the Windy City (which is also pretty cold this week) for America’s largest seed industry conference – the American Seed Trade Association 71st Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 46th Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo. That’s a mouthful, so they just call it ASTA’s CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, or #ASTA-CSS. The …

ASTA, Seed, Video

Clariant Will Be at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

Clariant will be adding some new color to the ASTA CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, December 5-9 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, featuring its full range of Agrocer™ seed pigments and pigment preparations, the first dedicated range of colorants for the agricultural industry. Mark Self, Market Segment Manager, says they will be a first time exhibitor at the expo this …

ASTA, Events, Seed

ASTA Talks Future of Seed at #NAFB16

Kelly Marshall

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO and First Vice Chair traveled to Kansas City, Missouri last week to take part in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting‘s Trade Talk event. Cindy Zimmerman spoke with them about the direction of the organization and the direction of the industry, especially in light of the recent Trump win.  A new administration is …

ASTA, Audio, NAFB

Congress Ratifies Treaty Tied to Global Food Security

Cindy Zimmerman

Congress made history last night by finally passing a broadly-supported international treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security, an action endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will …

ASTA, International, Seed

Future of #Farming is Multi-Colored at @Clariant

Cindy Zimmerman

This summer, specialty chemicals company Clariant announced its full range of Agrocer™ seed colorants in North America and we saw them on display at the recent American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting in Portland. Philip Adams, Regional Sales and Marketing Director, Business Unit Pigments, says the Agrocer line fits in well with Clariant’s sustainability platform. “All business units within …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

President Expected to Sign #GMO Disclosure Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. House today approved the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard by a vote of 309 to 117. The legislation, which preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients, was passed by the Senate last week and is expected to be signed by President Obama. “I have said this is the most important food and …

AFBF, ASTA, Biotech, Food