Communications was a key focus at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo last week, from within the industry to key stakeholders to lawmakers to the general public. American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) First Vice Chair Mark Herrmann of Monsanto says communications will continue to be a priority for the organization moving into 2016. “Some of the key focus is …
#ASTACSS Features Wheat Improvement Panel
During the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo this week, attendees were invited to a panel titled, “Value Chain Engagement in Wheat Improvement” that brought together representatives from across the wheat value chain to discuss needed innovation in the wheat industry. Justin Gilpin, CEO of the Kansas Wheat Commission, focused on the benefit of public/private partnerships as well as work the …
Combating Emerging PRRS Strains
Researchers are constantly learning more about the the evolution of PRRS. During the recent Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) PRRS session at the North American PRRS Symposium, Dr. Mike Murtaugh, University of Minnesota, shared characterizations of new emerging strains of the PRRS virus. “We found from looking at a large amount of data from farms and systems sequencing viruses and …
Record Student Participation at #ASTACSS
The American Seed Trade Association has stepped up its efforts to “Seed the Future” with a new generation of seed industry professionals, which resulted in a record number of students participating in the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week. “We designed the entire Thursday program this year to be a one day event for student track…and it just …
Washington Post Columnist at #ASTACSS
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 …
United Soybean Board – New Strategic Plan
The United Soybean Board is holding it’s board meeting in St. Louis, MO and held a press conference call this morning. You can listen in below if you’d like. Kicking off the call was Jared Hagert, new Chairman of USB. He was joined by several other officers. They all answered questions posed by ag media representatives. The USB Strategic Plan …