Students Honored for Research at ASTA

Jamie Johansen

College students from across the country had the opportunity to enter American Seed Trade Research Foundation’s Operation Student Exchange. The winning student was announced during a Future Seed Executives 10th Anniversary Reception at ASTA’s recent annual meeting. Leah Ruff’s poster presentation and research was selected this year’s winner and she received the Roger Kruegar Scholarship. The scholarship honors the late …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Education, Seed

Meet ASTA’s New Second Vice Chair

Cindy Zimmerman

Mark Herrmann with Monsanto’s vegetable seed division is the new second vice chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) after elections held during the annual meeting last week in Indianapolis. “The seed industry has been an exciting place to be for the last 30 years,” said Herrmann, who has been involved with ASTA for about 20 of those 30 …

ASTA, Audio, Seed, specialty crops

ASTA Distinguished Service Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Two individuals were honored for their distinguished service to the seed industry at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting last week. June Blalock retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in April of this year, after having served as the technology licensing program coordinator in the ARS Office of Technology Transfer for more than years. …

ASTA, Seed, USDA

FuSE Celebrates 10 Years of Training Young Seed Execs

Jamie Johansen

During the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Convention in Indianapolis, IN. the Future Seed Executives (FuSE) held a joint FuSE/Management Skills committee meeting focused on the Power of Inclusive Leadership. I spoke with FuSE founder and Vice President, Business Development for Gro Alliance, Jim Schweigert, and he shared what lead him to start this group for young professionals in …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Education, Seed

BASF and Functional Crop Care

Cindy Zimmerman

Functional Crop Care is the newest division of the BASF agricultural business, broadening what it means for the company to protect crops and help farmers get the most out of every acre. BASF Functional Crop Care Senior VP Dr. Jürgen Huff says the division addresses additional needs beyond conventional crop protection. “Functional Crop Care consists of three segments: soil management, …

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Seed, Video

Top Researchers Share Insights on Food Security

Jamie Johansen

Two World Food Prize winners shared their insights and experiences during a general session at the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Convention. Each shared what the seed trade industry can do to help feed the growing global population while sitting on a panel and taking questions from attendees. Professor Emeritus of Food Science at Purdue University, Dr. Phillip Nelson, …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Food, Seed, World Food Prize

New ASTA Chairman Focused on Advocacy

Cindy Zimmerman

John Schoenecker of HM Clause moves into the chairmanship of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) after elections were held at the annual meeting in Indianapolis Thursday. “As I become chair, one of my focuses will be advocacy,” Shoenecker said in an interview. “That’s part of our strategic plan, something we need to do to get the word out on …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Seed Industry Revved Up at ASTA Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) outgoing chairman Craig Newman of AgReliant Genetics is pleased with the turnout and the mood of at the 131st ASTA annual convention this week in his home town of Indianapolis. “First time it’s ever been in Indianapolis and this is kind of the crossroads of America, plus it’s the crossroads of American Seed Trade Association …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

ASTA Annual Meeting Kicks Off

Meghan Grebner

Industry leaders and seed experts are in Indianapolis this week for the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Meeting. ASTA CEO Andy Lavigne says much of the discussion this week will focus on innovation and technology in the seed industry. The meeting kicks off Thursday morning with Purdue University president Mitch Daniels.  Lavigne says Daniels will focus on innovation and that will set …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Biotech, Seed, Technology