President and CEO of ASTA, Andy LaVigne, breathed a big sigh of relief at the success of this year’s conference. After planning and scheduling the largest seed conference of it’s kind in the world, all you can do is hope people show up– and show up they did. “We had to bring in tables and chairs,” LaVigne told Cindy Zimmerman. …
BASF’s Future #Seed Giant at #ASTACSS
Justin Clark is a Technical Marketing Manager for BASF Ag Products who was named Future Giant of the Seed Industry by Seed World this year. At the ASTA CSS and Seed Expo, we talked with Clark about BASF’s recent agreement with FMC for in-furrow seed protection. “We think it’s a unique technology that addresses a grower need,” said Clark. “As …
ASTA Chair Optimistic for 2017 at #ASTACSS
AgReliant Genetics president and CEO Mark Herrmann took over as chairman of the American Seed Trade Association this past summer at the annual meeting and we had the chance to sit down and talk about priorities for the organization in 2017 during the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo this week. “Unnecessary regulation in the seed business can either completely stall …
#Seed is Focus of New @BASFAgProducts R&D Center
BASF’s new Research and Development facility in Limburgerhof, Germany that just opened this year has brought a new center of expertise into the growing world of biological crop protection and seed solutions. Nathan Froese with BASF R&D Seed Solutions for the Americas was at the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo this week to highlight some of the work being done …
Evolution of Plant Breeding in Focus at #ASTACSS
ASTA CSS in Chicago this week brought together a panel of experts to talk about the future of gene editing and it’s role in the agriculture industry. “Plant breeding is an evolving practice. It’s an evolving science.” said American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Plant breeding builds upon itself.” LaVigne outlined the milestones in plant breeding, beginning …
#JustGrowIt Video Unveiled at #ASTACSS
A new video that puts a face on plant breeders was unveiled by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the opening general session of its CSS 2016 & Seed Expo in Chicago Tuesday. The “Mom, Gardener, Plant Breeder” video is the latest initiative in ASTA’s “Better Seed, Better Life” communications program and it features Jessie Alt, a mother, home …
Heading to #ASTACSS
We’ll be heading out today for the Windy City (which is also pretty cold this week) for America’s largest seed industry conference – the American Seed Trade Association 71st Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 46th Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo. That’s a mouthful, so they just call it ASTA’s CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, or #ASTA-CSS. The …
Clariant Will Be at #ASTACSS
Clariant will be adding some new color to the ASTA CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, December 5-9 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, featuring its full range of Agrocer™ seed pigments and pigment preparations, the first dedicated range of colorants for the agricultural industry. Mark Self, Market Segment Manager, says they will be a first time exhibitor at the expo this …
Pastures For Pollinators is a Winner
A new clover seed mixture developed by Grassland Oregon (GO) is a win-win for livestock producers and the environment. Pastures for Pollinators is a seed blend including a variety of flowering annual clovers that could help enhance pollinator habitat nationwide, according to GO co-founder Risa DeMasi. “There are 400 million acres of pasture ground in the U.S., and it happens …
Congress Ratifies Treaty Tied to Global Food Security
Congress made history last night by finally passing a broadly-supported international treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security, an action endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will …