Washington Post columnist and Cape Cod oyster farmer Tamar Haspel (@tamarhaspel) provided some good food for thought at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo Thursday with a session that focused on science communications and influencing public opinion. In a lively discussion with attendees, Haspel stressed the need for the agriculture industry to be more effective when communicating about science …
ASTA Chair Pleased With #ASTACSS 2015
Another successful ASTA CSS and Seed Expo comes to a close today and nearly 3000 attendees are returning home with a week full of industry contacts and information to digest before the holidays. American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) chair Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon was thrilled with this year’s attendance and informative program that included a great session on her …
BASF Shares Seed Treatment Survey at #ASTACSS
According to a recent survey by BASF Ag Products, a growing number of farmers are utilizing seed treatments on their soybean acreage to protect their crop and maximize their return on investment. The survey of 250 growers with at least 1,000 corn and soybean acres found that 93% used a seed treatment or inoculant for soybeans in 2015. “The seed …
Plant Breeder Scholarships at #ASTACSS
Three graduate students received scholarships during the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week from the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB). The organization presents the scholarships annually to outstanding graduate students in the field of basic, applied, or developmental research in genetics and plant breeding. The students recieve $2,500 for their education, plus a travel allowance to …
#ASTACSS Highlights Seed Treatment
The application of seed treatment technologies in agriculture is such a growing and important segment of the industry that it was the very first session at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week in Chicago. The session on Monday afternoon featured (pictured left to right) Terry Meyer with INCOTEC, moderator Jim Shearl with AgReliant Genetics, and Eda Reinot …
Panel On Taking Cover Crops Mainstream at #ASTACSS
During a session on Taking Cover Crops Mainstream at the ASTA CSS/Seed Expo this week, a panel of representatives from across the industry spoke about their experiences with cover crops, the work they’ve done on either their farm or in their business, and the impact cover crops can have on soil health. Two growers who integrate cover crops on their …
BASF Focus on Seed Treatments at #ASTACSS
The very first sessions at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week was on application and technology in seed treatments and Eda Reinot with BASF Seed Solutions was one of the presenters. Reinot talked about the importance of seed applied technologies and how they go hand in hand with seed, tying it in with the message of ASTA’s …
Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Remembered at #ASTACSS
Seed science advocate Lisa Shepherd Jenkins is being remembered in a special way this year at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo. The life of this beautiful and brilliant young woman was cut short earlier this year at the age of 43 after contracting a very rare and incurable disease, but ASTA, Iowa State University Seed Science Center and …
#ASTACSS Taking Cover Crops Mainstream
A diverse panel covered the topic of cover crops at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week, exploring how the practice is starting to hit the mainstream. David Pearl with the CISCO Companies in Indianapolis, who serves as chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Cover Crops Working Group, says this was the first full cover crops …
#ASTACSS Economic Outlook from Dan Basse
Back by popular demand for the fifth year, AgResource Company president Dan Basse presented his economic outlook for agriculture at the opening general session of the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo on Tuesday. In his fact-filled 90 minute presentation, Basse talked about a “world awash in grain” with record global wheat and soybean crops and second largest corn crop. …