As #Harvest18 gets into full swing, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to keep any treated seed from entering the grain supply. “Seed treatments provide farmers with an economical means of protecting seeds and seedlings against early-season insect pests and diseases—resulting in stronger and more uniform stands, healthier plants and higher crop …
ASTA Requests Seed Exemption on Chinese Tariffs List
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is requesting that seeds for sowing be exempted from the proposed list of supplemental retaliatory tariffs on China. “While we support the administration’s push for stronger intellectual property protection and enforcement globally, at the end of the day, the majority of these proposed tariffs will be levied on seeds owned by small and medium …
Zimfo Bytes 9/7
AdFarm announced the launch of AgIntel. Notable leadership roles in AgIntel include Glenn Dawes, global director of insights; Matt Weeks, AdFarm strategic lead; and Shannon Warren, senior agronomist. 4-H Canada announced the 2018 recipients of the John Deere Canada 4-H Scholarships. Fifteen 4-H members from across Canada were selected to receive $1,000 each towards their post-secondary education in the fall …
ASTA Outlines Seed Industry Priorities for Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee is holding its first public meeting today in Washington and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has notified committee members of key provisions important to the seed industry within the legislation. In a recent letter to Conferees, ASTA highlighted priorities within the Conservation, Trade, Research, Horticulture and Crop Insurance titles. ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne …
Saving the Orange
The American Seed Trade Association and CropLife International have launched the first video in a new series about gene editing in plants. The video focuses on the very-real challenge of citrus greening—a devastating disease which has led to a nearly 80-percent decrease in Florida citrus production over the past 12 to 15 years. Profiled in the video, Dr. Fred Gmitter, …
Precision Ag Bytes 8/15
The PrecisionAg Awards of Excellence in the field of precision agriculture and farm technology were presented at the recent InfoAg Conference in St. Louis, MO. The awards are sponsored by the PrecisionAg Institute and presented every summer to individuals doing exceptional work in four distinct categories: Crop Adviser/Entrepreneur, Educator/Researcher, Farmer, and Legacy. Click here for a list of current and …
ASTA Responds to EU Ruling on Gene Editing
The European Union Court of Justice ruled this week that gene edited crops should be treated the same genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The court ruled that “organisms obtained by mutagenesis are GMOs within the meaning of the GMO Directive,” however it does not apply to gene-editing techniques which “have conventionally been used and have a long safety record.” The American …
Precision Ag Bytes 7/25
Conference registration and hotel block reservations for the American Seed Trade Association‘s CSS 2018 & Seed Expo are opening August 1. Make plans to attend America’s largest seed industry convention December 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For more information, click here. Registration is open for the Conference on Connection Between Soil Health and Human Health, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 …
Zimfo Bytes 7/20
The National Cotton Council has scheduled tour dates and locations for the 2018 Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Program. Now in its 30th year, the program has enabled more than 1,100 U.S. cotton producers to go to Cotton Belt regions different than their own where they learn about their peers’ innovative production practices. Clover Chang, the longtime director of the U.S. …
ASTA and FFA Sign MOU
The National FFA Organization and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will align ASTA’s strategic goals and resources with the three-component model of agricultural education, providing teacher curriculum and resources; supervised agricultural experience support and mentors; and leadership and career development. “This Memorandum of Understanding helps stress the importance of the three-component model …