Illinois Foundation Seeds president Tim Johnson is currently serving as the elected president of the International Seed Federation (ISF), which represents seed industry interests on a global level. Tim gave an ISF update during the first general session of the ASTA 2013 CSS last week, first pointing out to attendees that as members of the American Seed Trade Association they …
AgAccord is Complete
The big topic at last year’s ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo was The Accord, which is an industry agreement developed to provide a mechanism to transition from proprietary biotech events to off-patent or generic biotech events. Just prior to the expo this year, the second part of what is now called the AgAccord was opened up for signature. That …
ASTA Chair Looks Ahead to Annual Meeting
Finally caught up with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) chairman Craig Newman as I was heading out of the hotel to go home Friday morning so I caught a quick interview. Craig says the expo this year was great with a record number of exhibitors. “In fact, it’s just bulging,” he said. “Sometimes we think that the industry’s consolidating when …
BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement Platform
At the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo this week we had the opportunity to learn more about BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement platform which includes a number of important products that can accomplish increased emergence and help farmers get more from every acre. Those products include Vault HP plus Integral for soybeans, Stamina F3 for cereals, and Flo Rite Plantability …
Sonny Ramaswamy at ASTA CSS 2013
The Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture Sonny Ramaswamy gave a presentation on “Setting the Table for a Hotter, Flatter, More Crowded Earth” during the opening general session at the ASTA CSS 2013 on Thursday with a focus on how public sector research and private sector support need to work together to feed our growing population. Ramaswamy …
ASTA CSS Offers Grain Markets Outlook
Once again this year at the ASTA CSS 2013, for the third year in a row now, AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future. While there are bright spots, Dan’s overall outlook for the year ahead is pretty sobering, saying the good times may have come …
BASF on Cutting Edge of Seed Enhancement
The just released CropLife Foundation report shows just how important seed treatment is becoming for agricultural production and today at the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo we heard how BASF Crop Protection has moved to the forefront of seed enhancement to help farmers get the most out of every acre. “Seed enhancement is one of the fastest growing segments …
ASTA CSS and Seed Expo Underway
Over 2,500 seed industry professionals are in the Windy City this week to attend the American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo. There are a record number of exhibitors demonstrating the seed industry’s latest technologies, products and services. A New Product Showcase on Thursday will feature products introduced to the industry …
Cover Crop Seed Growth
With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago, I learned more about that from Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA. “Our company is very involved …
ASTA CSS 2013 Preview
When I talked with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO Andy LaVinge at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting the 2013 CSS & Seed Expo was still three weeks away, but all of the sudden it’s next week already! I am heading to Chicago for the 68th annual Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference/43rd Soybean Seed Research Conference on …