The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a field day for officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs. Participants got to observe seed treatments, planting practices, equipment innovations and product demonstrations– all using the most cutting-edge technology available. …
ASTA Pleased with New International Seed Standard
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is pleased with the passage of a final International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for Seed during the recent International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in Korea. American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade Ric Dunkle, who attended the IPPC, says ASTA has been advocating for a seed ISPM for …
Seed Industry to Take to Capitol Hill
Tomorrow members of the American Seed Trade Association will come together to tell the story of the seed industry to members of Congress. Members hope to highlight the 2017 ASTA priorities, including the need for a strong trade agenda, funding for key research and science programs through the USDA, the need to review the Food Safety Modernization Act, and policies …
“Seeding Innovation” Website Unveiled by ASTA
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has announced a new, educational website, seedinginnovation.org. The organization hopes to provide answers to consumer questions like: What is plant breeding innovation? What do plant breeders do? And what could the latest breeding techniques like gene editing mean for the future of agriculture and our society? The new site offers informational videos, blog posts, …
Building a Better Tomato
There’s a chemistry to the flavor of food but most growers simply aren’t set up for the intense process of studying and improving the tomatoes they grow, according to University of Florida horticultural science professor Harry Klee who has been researching the chemicals that contribute to tomato flavor. “Most everyone agrees there’s a huge problem with the commercial tomato and …
#Seed has Spot in Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
The 24th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will feature a special place of honor this year for that which makes it all possible – the seed! During the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 56th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference this week at Disney’s Epcot Center, festival coordinator Eric Darden announced that they will feature an ASTA garden at this …
Groups Welcome Plant Breeding Policy from USDA
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has been actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in developing a rule regarding plant breeding innovation. The rule-making notice was officially released yesterday, and ASTA, along with other organizations like the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), are pleased with the recognition of plant breeder’s history of safety and quality. “The farm and food value …
#Seed Industry – Past and Future
“Glancing Back and Moving Forward in a Rapidly Changing Industry” was a popular session at this year’s American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo, featuring (LtoR) Jon Leafstedt with Kincannon and Reed, DuPont Pioneer president Paul Schickler, and Sonny Beck, founder of Beck’s Hybrids. Reflecting on the past 20 years, this panel of seed industry leaders discussed their personal …
See the Future of Plant Breeding from #ASTACSS
Gene editing could be as revolutionary for plant breeders as cut and paste editing has been for the print industry. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a press conference at the recent CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago to talk about new innovations in the industry that have great potential. We already posted the audio from that press conference …
Chicago School Growing Future Ag Careers
The American Seed Trade Association Future Seed Executives (FuSE) had the opportunity to hear about an agricultural high school right in Chicago that is growing the next generation for the industry. The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) is located just about a half hour south of the Hyatt Regency where the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo is held …