Seed E-News

February 18, 2010

Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward the Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Julie Douglas at ASTA. Past issues can be viewed here .

In This Issue • ASTA News • Out & About • Seed Industry Calendar • Educational Opportunities • Employee Announcements

ASTA News

ASTA work in Mexico eases trade of sorghum seed, more benefits to come

Mexico is a major trading partner of the United States, especially the seed sector. This partnership, while beneficial, has come with some costly challenges to U.S. seed companies, but steps are being made to overcome those obstacles.

U.S. sorghum seed shipments often have problems clearing the Mexican border, based on phytosanitary regulations, said Ric Dunkle, American Seed Trade Association senior director of seed health and trade.

Sorghum ergot, a fungal pathogen also known as honeydew or sugary disease, was first detected in both Mexico and the United States in 1997.  Mexico established an emergency rule, NOM 078, making it a quarantineable pest and the United States did, too. The United States continued surveys until 2001, and then officially deregulated the pathogen. However, Mexico continued to regulate sorghum ergot and has maintained a strict tolerance level of five sclerotia per kilogram of seed.

Sclerotia are a hardened mass of fungi and ergot sclerotia detach from the seed and remain dormant until favorable growth conditions occur.

"As the disease became more established in the two countries, it has become increasingly difficult to meet Mexico's seed import requirements," Dunkle explained. "Mexican officials test every load at the border for sorghum ergot. Shipments are frequently rejected based upon Mexico's laboratory test results."

These delays can cause seed companies to lose time, money, seed and ultimately customers. For example, if a seed shipment is held at the border for testing, the seed company must pay a storage fee on that seed. Then if seed is rejected, the company has to find another country to purchase it, bring it back to the United States and store it or destroy it, and the original purchaser never receives the product.

Further complicating trade efforts, Dunkle explained testing techniques used differ between the two countries. The United States uses a dry testing method and until recently Mexico used a floatation method. The floatation method often produces false positives and is not an accurate tool, resulting in unnecessary rejected seed shipments.

Working with scientists, the Mexican Seed Trade Association (AMSAC), the Texas Seed Trade Association and stakeholders, Dunkle and the ASTA team provided technical information to support Mexico testing seed shipments using the dry method, and repealing NOM 078.
Dunkle partnered with the AMSAC by commissioning a team of Mexican and U.S. researchers to conduct a pest risk assessment, evaluating the risks of sorghum ergot in Mexico. Researchers included Noe Montes, Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias, and Gary Odvody, Texas A&M University.

"Through the assessment, we proved that sorghum ergot is widespread in Mexico and seed shipments are not the pathway for spreading the pathogen," Dunkle explained. "We also showed that the floatation test method is not reliable, nor consistent."

Today Mexico uses the dry test method. As a result, seed movement of sorghum has been much smoother. Stopped shipments at the border pertaining to sorghum ergot have decreased dramatically, Dunkle said.

Also in response to the pest risk assessment, Mexico wrote a proposed rule to remove any restrictions regarding sorghum ergot and released it for comment. Receiving no adverse comments, Mexico is in the final stages of deregulating sorghum ergot.
Jerry Monk of Warner Seeds Inc. and chairman of ASTA said we're not through the tunnel yet, but he remains optimistic about the future. "It's not a mater of if, it's a matter of when," he said.

Dunkle expects the deregulation process to come to a close in the next couple of months.

"This is huge for the American seed industry and improving trade with Mexico," Dunkle said. "Trade will be more predictable and many of the headaches sorghum seed companies face when shipping seed to and from Mexico will be relieved. Issues such as these are not just important for trade with Mexico, but for any country conducting trade."

Iraqi Delegation met with seed companies at ASTA conference A group of 11 individuals representing the Iraq Association of Seed Traders traveled to Las Vegas to meet with seed companies at the American Seed Trade Association's 49th Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference in January. "This meeting was an excellent opportunity for exchange between a well developed industry and one that is slowly establishing itself in the global marketplace," said Lisa Nichols, ASTA director of international programs who worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture to help coordinate the trip. The delegates met with more than 20 different seed companies and placed preliminary orders to import 200 metric tons (nearly half a million pounds) of vegetable seed to Iraq; however, details are yet to be finalized. Vegetable seed ordered ranged from hybrid cucumbers and onions to green peppers and tomatoes and from lettuce and eggplant to cauliflower and radishes. This is a move by the private sector to offer top quality seed from reputable U.S. companies, giving them the opportunity to import directly rather than work through agents in neighboring countries, said Ali Al Dahlaki, president of Al Reef Alkadra Co. and delegation participant. " We want to have control of our own destiny and be able to provide Iraqi farmers with quality seed at affordable prices," he said. Iraq seed traders committed themselves to import $2.5 million worth of seed by November, reported Walid Sharif, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Ag Service marketing specialist based in Baghdad who accompanied the group. The delegation was not only interested in purchasing seed, but also in association structure and function. The group asked about ASTA, its mission and organizational structure. They were interested in the association's involvement with market promotion and development activities, examples of good business strategies and practices, and the role ASTA and other seed associations play in the development and reformation of seed laws and regulations. "Iraq is challenged with getting good quality seed," said Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and chief executive officer. "Grain seed is controlled by their government and vegetable and fruits are on the open market, so that's their primary focus. They have a strong interest in working with seed companies to develop a germplasm system to produce quality crops that are acclimated to their region." Iraq will host a trade mission in June and interested companies are encouraged to participate. Details have not yet been determined.

Out and About

Mississippi Seedsmen's Association holds head high moving into 2010

The Mississippi Seedsmen's Association held their annual meeting Feb. 12-13 in Tunica, Miss., where more than 130 seed industry representatives registered.

Pat Miller, American Seed Trade Association director of state affairs, presented on government activity in the states and the potential impact to Mississippi. The state association reported fundraising of $15,200 in scholarship programs through auctions. Not only did they have outstanding fundraising success, but the association gained 31 new members the past year.

Seed Industry Calendar

Fly in to Washington, D.C. and be an advocate for the seed industry

The American Seed Trade Association will host Advocacy Matters II, its second seed industry fly-in, March 22-24 in Washington, D.C.

"This is designed to be an opportunity for the seed industry to meet with government officials and discuss the importance of the seed industry, as well as the issues and challenges surrounding it," said Pat Miller, ASTA director of state affairs. "It's critical that our government's leadership connect with the seed industry and understand our challenges and prospects."

Participants will not only be helping the seed industry, but also will gain insight to the inner-workings of government and assist with policy issues. Miller noted a report, "Corporate Lobbying and Financial Performance," released June 2008 by the Social Science Research Network at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1014264, which states companies that are involved with government policy tend to be more profitable.

Advocacy Matters II will be held in conjunction with the ASTA-U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Workshop, and will include visits with House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, the staff/leadership of the Senate Ag Committee and key individuals at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Interested individuals can register at no cost by contacting Miller at pmiller@amseed.org. Registrants may reserve a room at the Lorien Hotel, located in Alexandria, Va., for a discounted rate of $199 per night before March 5 by calling 877-956-7436. Be sure to ask for the ASTA fly-in rate.

Once confirmed, the ASTA team will assist registrants in making appointments with the appropriate representatives and senators. Miller encourages individuals to get started by visiting http://www.house.gov and filling out the zip code form, which will lead them to their representative's Web site.

All registrants will receive a briefing packet prior to the meetings and will be properly informed on the issues, Miller explained.

Last year, 26 seed industry representatives participated in the fly-in and held more than 60 meetings with congressional members and staffers. This year, we hope to see that number increase.

"We sit around sometimes and feel that we don't have any input into the efforts of our leaders in Washington, D.C. Today, we found out that is not true," said Scott Beck, Beck's Superior Hybrids in Atlanta, Ind., after his visits last year. Lou Buice, Golden Acres Genetics in Waco, Texas, said the event heightened his awareness to continue building relationships. "Without ASTA acting as a catalyst, I doubt I would have ever taken on the task as an individual constituent," Buice said.

The fly-in is conducted in partnership with the state and regional seed trade associations.

Contact Miller at 703-837-8140, ext. 337 or pmiller@amseed.org for questions and additional information.

Educational Opportunity

Colorado State University offers online certificate program to train seed analysts

The Seed Analyst Certificate Program, offered by the Seed Technologist Educational Program (STEP), seeks individuals with an interest in horticulture, plant pathology or biology who may be considering a career in the seed industry.

STEP, housed at Colorado State University, developed the certificate program which offers coursework online in conjunction with University of Kentucky, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Iowa State University.

"Seed analysts are needed in the industry and training opportunities are hard to come by," said Gene Milstein of Applewood Seed Company and STEP industry representative. "The average age of seed analysts today is almost 55 and we don't have seed analysts coming into the industry at a rate to fill those positions. We need anywhere from 10-15 analysts moving into the industry per year."

The certificate program is designed to be a two-year program with the first year of course work online and the second year in a laboratory internship position. Upon completion individuals will be able to run purity tests and germination tests on all kinds of seed, helping to ensure quality seed and that the product meets the appropriate regulations, explained Milstein.

"Seed analysts play an important role in helping make the U.S. seed industry one of the best in the world," he said.

Seed analysts have the opportunity to work in state, private and company laboratories.
The 10 online courses offered include:  Seed anatomy and identification, seed development and metabolism, seed germination and viability, seed purity analysis, seed separation and conditioning, seed storage and deterioration, large seed legume seed production, vegetable seed production, seed dormancy and vigor testing.

The Seed Analyst Certificate Program costs about $3,000 and can be started at any time during the year. Scholarships are available for individuals seeking financial assistance.

For more information about the program, visit http://step.colostate.edu. For additional information and questions, contact Jack Fenwick at 970-491-6907 or j.fenwick@colostate.edu.

Employee Announcements

INCOTEC appoints new manager of integrated product research

Integrated Coating and Seed Technology, Inc. named Matthew Lyon as their new manager of integrated product research where he will be responsible for managing all research activities in North America.

Lyon, who received his doctorate in agriculture genomics from the University of California, Riverside in July 2008, comes to INCOTEC from Mitrionics where he served as a genome informatics solutions architect.

"Dr. Lyon's research and development experience will help INCOTEC excel in the integration of technology to meet customer needs and company goals," said David Pickenpaugh, president and general manager of INCOTEC North America. "We are very fortunate to have Dr. Lyon join INCOTEC."

Lyon will be located in Salinas, Calif.

Please Remember a Friend of the Industry

Walter "Walt" Williams

Walt Williams, co-founder of Keithly-Williams Seeds, passed away at age 93 Feb. 11 in his Holtville, Calif., home. "Walt's positive leadership and influence in the formation and conduct of business have greatly influenced the success that our company has enjoyed for its 29 years of existence," said Kelly Keithly, William's business partner and co-founder of Keithly-Williams Seeds.

Born Aug. 12, 1916 in Eldersburg, Md., Williams became a flight instructor B-25/B-17 with the Army Air Force and served in WWII. Following his service, Williams was employed in various fields ranging from California Edison, car sales, grain milling with Imperial Valley Milling Co and lastly seed sales with Keithly-Williams Seeds.

ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.