Bayer’s Investment in Seeds Innovation

John Davis

Bayer CropScience is showing its dedication to innovation several ways, starting with moving the company’s global seeds headquarters to the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. “This is something that reflects our presence in the market and desire to be close to the market,” explained Geoff Kneen, Bayer CropScience’s vice president, head of strategic initiatives and RTP operations, during …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Seed

Seed Treatment Stewardship Promoted at Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

We first heard about “The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship” last year at Commodity Classic. The second phase roll out of the guide – produced by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) in collaboration with organizations like the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association and American Farm Bureau – began this year and we heard more about it from …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, pollinators, Seed

New Seed World Editor

Cindy Zimmerman

Congrats to Julie Deering (née Douglas) who has been named new editor of Seed World. We just saw Julie last week at the Commodity Classic and Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum, where she was busily gathering content to use in upcoming Seed World issues. This probably means we will get to see her again at the American Seed Trade Association …

Media, Seed

Bayer Develops Seed Treatment for SDS

Cindy Zimmerman

During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum and Commodity Classic last week, Bayer was pleased to announced they have applied for EPA registration of ILeVO, the first seed treatment developed to address Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). “We’re anticipating federal registration fourth quarter of 2014 for planting in 2015,” said Seed Treatments Product Manager Dave Byrum. Jennifer Riggs, Bayer SeedGrowth …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic, Seed, Soybean

BASF Helps Growers Plan for Success

Cindy Zimmerman

Nobody in business plans for failure and farmers are no different. “We have to plan for success,” says BASF Technical Crop Production Specialist AJ Woodyard. “We have to take that mindset again this year of looking at what is my plan for success this growing season and how am I going to implement that strategy to best maximize yield on …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Crop Protection, Seed

ASTA Takes Seed Theft Seriously

Cindy Zimmerman

As the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was concluding its annual seed research conference and trade show in Chicago last week, word came that arrests had been made in two separate conspiracies to steal seed and trade secrets of U.S. companies. ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne says they were pleased that the U.S. government took swift action on a …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

BASF Advanced Seed Enhancement is Global

Cindy Zimmerman

At the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo last week, we heard about the BASF portfolio of Advanced Seed Enhancements including inoculants, colorants, and biological and chemical seed treatments. Much of this new portfolio comes from the BASF acquisition of Becker Underwood in late 2012, according to Alyson Emanuel, Vice President of Global Business Management for BASF Functional Crop Care. …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Farming, International, Seed

Nufarm Introduces Nuseed

Chuck Zimmerman

During Nufarm’s recent farm media tour, the company highlighted Nuseed, a branch off the parent company. Chuck and Jody Heemstra, Red River Farm Network, met up with Tom Kroll, Product Manager in Seed Treatment for Nufarm. Tom works with products from the earliest idea of them all the way to market and helps with the technical aspects too. “Nuseed is …

Agribusiness, Nufarm, Seed

International Seed Federation Update

Cindy Zimmerman

Illinois Foundation Seeds president Tim Johnson is currently serving as the elected president of the International Seed Federation (ISF), which represents seed industry interests on a global level. Tim gave an ISF update during the first general session of the ASTA 2013 CSS last week, first pointing out to attendees that as members of the American Seed Trade Association they …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

AgAccord is Complete

Cindy Zimmerman

The big topic at last year’s ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo was The Accord, which is an industry agreement developed to provide a mechanism to transition from proprietary biotech events to off-patent or generic biotech events. Just prior to the expo this year, the second part of what is now called the AgAccord was opened up for signature. That …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed