The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a virtual annual meeting last week where the organization announced new leadership and annual award winners. Members of the FY2020-21 ASTA officer team as of July 1 are: Chair: John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Alexander, IA First Vice Chair: Brad May, BASF, Research Triangle Park, NC Second Vice Chair: Jim Schweigert, Gro Alliance, …
Syngenta Makes Leadership Changes
*Updated with Hollinrake interview* Syngenta has announced new leadership appointments supporting the growth and investment in its North America and global Seeds business. David Hollinrake, currently regional director North America Seeds, is appointed head global Seeds Strategy and Portfolio. In his new role, David will lead long-term strategy development and planning for the global Seeds business to continue to deliver …
USDA SECURE Rule Paves Way for Agricultural Innovation
The final rule updating and modernizing USDA’s biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act was approved this week. The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule will bring USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations into the 21st century by removing duplicative and antiquated processes in order to facilitate the development and availability of these technologies through a transparent, consistent, science-based, and …
Benson Hill Contracts 30,000 Premium Soybean Acres
St. Louis-based crop improvement company Benson Hill has contracted 30,000 acres to advance its non-GMO soybean varieties through partnerships in the consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets. “The consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets are demanding innovation that improves the health and sustainability profile of their ingredients,” said Chris Wilkins, Chief Operating Officer of Benson Hill. “Our portfolio …
AMVAC® Closes Agreement With Clean Seed Capital Group
AMVAC®, an American Vanguard® company, today announced a strategic license and investment agreement with Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. The relationship results in Clean Seed licensing to AMVAC certain intellectual property rights for an initial investment of US$2,500,000, plus an undisclosed royalty that will be payable to Clean Seed by AMVAC in conjunction with AMVAC’s future SIMPAS™ hardware sales. AMVAC …
Acceleron Protects From Various Challenges
A key message from Bayer at the 2020 Commodity Classic encouraged growers to ensure they’re fully protected from whatever Mother Nature might throw at them during the approaching growing season. One way to do that is to use Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions on corn, soybean and cotton acres. “As you look at the investment that farmers are making today from …
Thriving Amongst the Giants
A general session at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo addressed needs of seed businesses who are employing key business strategies to ensure success in an environment of transition and consolidation. The panel, entitled “Thriving Amongst the Giants,” featured Scott Beck of Beck’s Hybrids, John Latham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Myron Stine of Midwest Oilseeds, and …
Hemp Farmers Need Good Seed
The hemp industry is in dire need of good genetics and a weeding out of bad actors in the seed supply business, according to two hemp farmers who helped Arcadia Biosciences announce the launch of GoodHemp in Chicago last week. Chris Adams (pictured left) of Adams Family Farm in North Dakota and Weston Walker (right) of Gold Dust Farm in …
ASTA Ends Year on High Note
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is ending 2019 on a positive note with another successful CSS and Seed Expo in Chicago and a lot of optimism going forward. “There’s a lot of innovation in our industry today,” says ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne. “So we see a lot of companies coming into the market, a lot on discovery, …
Arcadia Biosciences Launches GoodHemp
During the American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago this week, Arcadia Biosciences announced the launch of a new product line – GoodHemp. As the company’s new brand for delivering genetically superior hemp seeds, transplants, flower and extracts, GoodHemp’s first commercial product is a disease resistant and ultra-low THC hemp seed. Accepting advance orders now, the first …