Future of #Farming is Multi-Colored at @Clariant

Cindy Zimmerman

This summer, specialty chemicals company Clariant announced its full range of Agrocer™ seed colorants in North America and we saw them on display at the recent American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting in Portland. Philip Adams, Regional Sales and Marketing Director, Business Unit Pigments, says the Agrocer line fits in well with Clariant’s sustainability platform. “All business units within …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Historic #ASTAannual with OSA is a Win-Win

Cindy Zimmerman

The leadership of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Oregon Seed Association (OSA) were all smiles at the Gala Banquet concluding the trailblazing joint annual meeting of the two organizations this week in Portland, Oregon. “This worked out wonderfully,” said OSA president Greg Loberg of West Coast Beet Seed. “We wanted to enhance the partnerships between members of …

ASTA, Audio, Seed

#ASTAannual Elects New Leadership

Kelly Marshall

Among all the seminars and committee meetings of the American Seed Trade Association’s annual meeting one of the most important items of business was the election of the officer team for the coming year.  They are: • Chair: Mark Herrmann, AgReliant Genetics • First Vice Chair: Tracy Tally, Justin Seeds • Second Vice Chair: Jerry Flint, DuPont Pioneer The 2016-2017 …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Supporting Future #Seed Researchers

Cindy Zimmerman

The future of the seed industry is in good hands if the students who are attending this year’s American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting are any indication. ASTA has a strong interest in encouraging young people pursuing careers in the industry in a number of ways, from programs that mentor students to supporting the efforts of the American Seed …

ASTA, Audio, Research, Seed

#ASTAannual Honors #Seed Industry Legend

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) instituted a new award at the 133rd annual meeting in Portland, Oregon this year, the Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, and the first honoree is Dr. Owen Newlin, retired from DuPont Pioneer. Presenting the award, ASTA Chair Risa DeMasi called Newlin a legend in the industry. “When someone spends a lifetime, more than 50 years, …

ASTA, Audio, Seed

Krysta Harden Keynotes #ASTAannual

Kelly Marshall

Attendees of the American Seed Trade Association were privileged to hear, not just a great speaker, but someone who has a lot of experience in the agriculture industry. Krysta Harden recently made the move to chief sustainability officer at DuPont from her previous position as deputy secretary of the USDA. Her experience has taught her a thing or two about …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Seed

#ASTAannual Opening Reception Jam

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) got the ASTA-OSA Jam Band together for the opening reception, sponsored by Syngenta, at the 133rd annual convention in Portland, Oregon. The venue was historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, now transformed into a neighborhood gathering spot with pubs, historic hotels, local artisans, and more. The band was put together …

ASTA, Audio, Seed

#ASTAannual Gets Social

Cindy Zimmerman

As the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 133rd annual meeting kicked off in Portland, Oregon over the weekend, the Management Skills Committee focused on using social media to fight the spread of misinformation about agriculture and technology. Jim Schweigert, president of Wisconsin-based Gro Alliance, started off the social media session by presenting a montage of tweets and Facebook posts deriding …

ASTA, Audio, Seed, Social Media

Blazing Trails Theme for @Better_Seed Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

A trail blazing joint convention of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) with the Oregon Seed Association this year will highlight the diverse seed industry of the Beaver State. “Oregon is known as the cool season grass capitol of the world,” says ASTA Chair Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon, who will be hosting this year’s meeting. “Over 90 percent of …

ASTA, Audio, Seed

BASF Opens New R&D Center

Kelly Marshall

BASF has just opened a new Research and Development center at their Crop Protection headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany.  The new center offers research areas for biological crop protection and seed solutions, making it a hub of expertise for researchers and farmers world wide. “Our investment in this expanded capacity is a step forward to unlocking the agricultural potential in seeds …

Agribusiness, BASF, Crop Protection, Research, Seed