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May 6 , 2010
ASTA submits comments regarding need for food safety standards relating to seed The American Seed Trade Association submitted comments concerning the development of food safety standards relating to seed to the Food and Drug and Administration yesterday (May 5, 2010). In an effort to prevent future outbreaks of food borne human pathogens such as E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella, the FDA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments about food safety standards for the production, harvesting and packing of fresh fruits and vegetables. ASTA convened its food safety pathogen working group to construct an official response to this notice. The notice lists specific questions for which the FDA seeks input. "Our follow-up to previous outbreaks indicates that seed hasn't been a contributor," said Ric Dunkle, ASTA senior director for seed health and trade. "We will remain proactive and continue our efforts to monitor outbreaks and review literature. It's important for us as an industry to be able to say that seed is not a contributor to food safety outbreaks." The working group concluded that because seeds, when used for the production of fresh produce in field or greenhouse production systems, are not involved in such outbreaks, the response need only be a general comment along with the ASTA statement on testing seed for human pathogens. Major contributors to these recommendations are Betsy Peterson, California Seed Association; Phillip Brown, Alf Christianson Seed Co.; Wayne Wiebe, Syngenta Seeds; Tom Moore, Enza Coastal Seeds; and Darrel Maddox, Eurofins STA Laboratories. ASTA's recommendations encourage FDA to continue to recognize the difference between seeds for field or greenhouse grown produce production and seed for production of sprouts, Dunkle explained. "It's important FDA understand that seeds are inconsequential to these types of outbreaks, so that regulations are not unnecessarily imposed on the seed industry," Dunkle said. The response was sent to FDA and also to ASTA's Vegetable and Flower Division members - companies that produce seed for the production of fresh produce. If individual companies wish to respond directly to FDA, they need to know what ASTA's response is so that all seed-related responses and comments submitted are consistent. ASTA's response is available at http://www.amseed.com/govt.asp.
Featured speakers at ASTA's annual convention spotlight publics' views of science Michael Specter and Raymond Gilmartin will discuss the public's opposition to today's scientific and technological breakthroughs and coping strategies during the American Seed Trade Association's 127th Annual Convention to be held June 26-30 in San Antonio, Texas.
Michael Specter, a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1998, will lead the opening general session Monday (June 28) from 8-10 a.m. As a writer, Specter covers science, technology and public health issues. His new book, Denialism, asks why we have increasingly begun to fear scientific advances instead of embracing them. Specter's truthful, rigorously researched, and often politically incorrect views are the perfect antidote to the widespread rebellion against scientific thought and the products of scientific inquiry, such as the new wonder drugs and vaccines being refused by the public, as well as genetically engineered foods. Raymond Gilmartin, of the Harvard Business School, will lead Wednesday's general session (June 30) from 8-9 a.m. Gilmartin will discuss growing through, and defending against disruptive innovation in the seed industry. A professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, Gilmartin teaches Building and Sustaining Successful Enterprises, a second year elective in the MBA program, as well as a series of executive educational programs, including Leading Science-Based Enterprises. He is the former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck & Co., Inc. a global research driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative vaccines and medicines. Gilmartin also serves on the boards of General Mills, Inc. and the Microsoft Corporation. More information about the convention schedule is available at http://www.amseed.org/mtg_2010ac_schedule.asp. Early bird registration ends May 27. As ASTA's Chairman Jerry Monk says, "To be up on it, you have to be in on it." So get in on it and register at http://www.amseed.org/mtg_2010ac_reg.asp.
Ag organizations: free trade agreements vital to industry and economic recovery A press conference held May 3, 2010, by several agricultural organizations stressed the importance of free trade agreements for agriculture and encouraged President Obama and Congress to ratify FTAs with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. The American Seed Trade Association supports the ratification of free trade agreements to help aid movement of seed between countries. Exports of seed for planting are valued at more than $1 billion per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. However seed exports in all sectors of the industry is down significantly in comparing the January to March period of 2009 to the 2010 period. "Part of what we do at the American Seed Trade Association is promote global sales of U.S. seeds," said Jerry Monk, ASTA chairman. "It's in our mission statement 'to be an effective voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world.'" With May designated as World Trade Month, leaders from the National Pork Producers Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the National Corn Growers Association acted as a panel to emphasize the importance of free trade agreements to U.S. agriculture, the rural economy and the national economy. President Obama set a goal of doubling exports during the next five years as a way to stimulate economic and job growth. The best way to do that is through free trade agreements, but FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South Korea are stalled in Congress. If they aren't approved, U.S. agriculture will suffer dire consequences, explained the group of panelists. "Trade is vital to our industry," said Don Butler, NPPC immediate past president. "The U.S. is the no. 1 exporter of pork in the world. For us to remain successful and viable we have to have free market access and the way to get that is through free trade agreements." Each speaker cited losses to their sector if Congress continued to take no action on these pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. According to AFBF:
Bob Stallman, AFBF president, explained that these numbers have a direct impact on the economy. "For every $1 billion in exports, 9,000 jobs here in the U.S. are supported," he said. "If we don't trade in these markets that are good customers, other countries will," said Dale Schuler, NAWG past president and chairman of NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates Joint International Trade Policy Committee. The United States used to export more than 50 percent of the world's wheat, Shuler said. Now, the U.S. struggles to maintain a market share in the 20 percent range, he noted. "As a wheat producer, I find this to be very saddening," Schuler said. "Agriculture is one segment of our economy that has historically provided a positive trade balance. We can not continue to allow our government to stand on the sidelines and let our market share decline and our ag sector parish." Stallman said that Congress taking action is no longer about potential gains for agriculture, but preventing losses. Monk explained that approval of the FTAs would create a win-win situation for the American farmer, the U.S. seed industry and the economy, in general. "If we don't take advantage of these opportunities and alliances, other countries will," Monk said. "Our agricultural industry is fortunate to be one of the most efficient industries in the world and is capable of exporting many agricultural products. So many countries don't have the ability from an arable land standpoint to export agricultural goods. Why not take advantage of our efficiencies and ability to produce?"
Miller believes partnership is the key to success
The leadership of state, regional and national seed associations depend on their respective memberships to be successful in all endeavors. "Effective grassroots participation is a critical component, especially in legislative affairs," said Pat Miller, American Seed Trade Association director of state affairs. "It's important for associations to maintain relationships with the state's customer base organizations and regulatory administrators." Miller explained that creating and maintaining these types of partnerships is much more difficult to do in the legislative arena because it evolves rapidly and administrators and policy-makers often do not hold positions for long periods of time. Due to advancements in communications and technology, government leaders are bombarded with messages and public communications on a wide range of issues, Miller noted. "Now, more than ever, it takes a personal relationship for quality information exchange," Miller said. "Simply put, our elected officials trust their friends most when seeking input for decision-making. "Government is too complex for any one individual to have the ability to reach out effectively, but a group effort can be effective. I would like to challenge each of you to take a moment to contact your respective government leaders; a brief introduction now can pay multiple dividends in the future."
Graduate students sought to attend annual convention, connect with seed industry
The American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF) in cooperation with the American Seed Trade Association is reaching out to graduate students in seed-related disciplines including plant breeding with the Operation Student Connection program. Operation Student Connection provides financial assistance for students who qualify to attend ASTA's 127th Annual Convention, June 26-30 in San Antonio, Texas. "This program is a great opportunity for students to network and connect with the seed industry and its leaders," said Ann Jorss, ASTA vice president of finance and administration. "Our annual convention draws seed companies and representatives from all across the world and features an outstanding lineup of speakers." As part of Operation Student Connection, each student will be matched with a seed company representative who will act as a mentor and resource during the convention. Selected individuals will be asked to give a short presentation about their personal background and areas of research and study. Students who want to learn more about the annual convention and this opportunity should visit http://www.amseed.org/mtg_2010ac_index.asp. Applications, due May 15, and additional information about the program are available at http://seedresearch.org/o-description.html. Selected individuals must be a graduate student working toward a masters or doctorate degree in a seed-related area, including but not exclusive to plant breeding and seed physiology. Selection will be based on academic performance, activities, personal performance and proficiencies, degree sought, connection of research area to the overall seed industry, future plans relative to the seed industry, and recommendations by major professors and others. Geographical diversity, seed species diversity and study area diversity may be considered. Program funding is from private seed company donations, so the number of applicants selected will be limited by available funds. "We encourage all individuals who meet the above requirements to apply and become engaged with the seed industry and the American Seed Trade Association," Jorss said. For questions and additional information about this program, contact Jorss at 703-837-8140, 888-890-7333 or ajorss@amseed.org. Seed companies interested in sponsoring a student should respond to Jorss by May 15 and fill out the Sponsor Application Form, http://seedresearch.org/o-sponsorform.html.
Several ASTA members mentioned in Wall Street Journal article ASTA congratulates W. Atlee Burpee, Territorial Seed, Seeds by Design and J.W. Jung Seed for having the right product, at the right place, at the right time. Their heirloom hybrids, offering the full-flavored tastes of heirlooms and the heartiness of hybrids, were featured in the April 21 edition of the Wall Street Journal. The full article all about tomatoes is available at here. ASTA's Miller presented at California's annual convention The California Seed Association held their annual convention April 25-28 in Squaw Valley, Calif. Pat Miller, American Seed Trade Association director of state affairs, updated participants on the legislative front and also gave a brief ASTA activity report. During the conference, Todd Rehrman of Syngenta Seeds, Inc. was elected president for the coming term. The program featured recreational activities including a frisbee golf tournament; committee meetings; speaker Raoul Adamchak, author of Tomorrow's Table; and many informational sessions.
SAA phytosanitary workshop and board meeting held in Buenos Aires The Seed Associations of the Americas held a phytosanitary workshop and its board meetings May 4-6 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The American Seed Trade Association's Andy LaVigne, president and CEO, and Bernice Slutsky, vice president of international affairs, have been in attendance and will give an update in the next newsletter. Early career seed industry reps attend FuSE educational unit at BioDiagnostics, Inc.
The American Seed Trade Association's Future Seed Executives (FuSE) along with ASTA member company BioDiagnostics, Inc. of River Falls, Wis. hosted the first educational unit of the year, April 20-21. Quentin Schultz, BioDiagnostics president, welcomed the group to River Falls and gave a brief introduction of the company. Participants listened to presentations about scientific seed testing, genetics, viability, purity, vigor, quality and breeding. The information covered provided insight about seed testing methods and the different benefits, as well as the most current practices being used in the industry. Participant Rob Thurston who just entered the seed industry in July 2009 said it was a great opportunity and he's glad he took the time to attend. "To see a seed testing laboratory in operation is just fascinating," said Thurston, administrative manager of the Minnesota-based Thurston, Inc. "It's remarkable to see behind the scenes the volume of seed that moves through their laboratory, as well as the technology and testing methods used." The group toured the entire BioDianostics facility and the functions of each lab and lab station were explained by lab personnel. This was an up close and personal look at what happens when companies send a seed sample to a lab and the results that are sent back. Thurston and other participants took away information that will help them in their day-to-day functions. "We (Thurston, Inc.) send a lot of seed to be tested through the contracts we write," Thurston said. "Now when customers ask questions about seed test results, I will be able to better explain what is involved and give a more concise answer." Attendees also had the opportunity to listen to Professor Rex Bernardo, Endowed Chair in corn breeding and genetics with the University of Minnesota's Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, discuss increasing genetic gain with cheap and abundant molecular markers and other breeding tools. The educational unit was designed to inform participants and give them a better understanding of general lab functions, as well as highly specific seed testing methods and techniques. Thurston said he would definitely attend other educational units and encourages others who have just entered the seed industry to do the same. Mark
the calendar for Aug. 12, FuSE's next educational unit sponsored by Nunhems USA. Vote now for the American Garden
Award Some of the world's most prestigious flower breeders have chosen their best varieties to enter in this competition. Then, in cooperation with 18 respected public gardens throughout the United States, All-America Selections presents the four entries so consumers can view the plants in person, then vote for their favorite. There are a number of ways to vote: by texting a given code to a polling number, by going to http://www.americangardenaward.com and clicking on the voting button, by using postage-paid voting postcards located at most gardens or by becoming a fan of American Garden Award on Facebook. The four entries are: Echinacea 'Prairie Splendor TM,' Ornamental Pepper 'Purple Flash,' Rudbeckia 'Denver Daisy,' Zinnia Profusion 'Knee-High Red.' Voting
is open May 1 - Aug. 31 and winners are announced in September. In the Participating gardens include:
The American Garden Award program is administered by the All-America Selections® Display Garden program. AGA entries have not been trialed nor awarded a winner status by the AAS® Trial Judges. For further information contact Diane Blazek at dblazek@aas-ngb.org.
National Association of Plant Breeding to hold their 4th annual meeting The National Association of Plant Breeding will convene for their annual meeting Aug. 15-17 in Johnston, Iowa. This meeting provides plant breeders an opportunity to interact and discuss issues of importance for both the public and private sectors. All plant breeders - students and professionals, public sector and industry, United States and abroad - are encouraged to attend. Participants will discuss strategies to shape the future of plant breeding, be exposed to state-of-the-art plant breeding research by means of peakers, and exchange knowledge through poster presentations. Registration
and a conference schedule are available at http://2010plantbreedingmeeting.eventbrite.com/. Participants must preregister by Aug. 2. Series of seed conditioning and quality testing workshops to be held this summer Iowa State University Seed Science Center will host 11 summer workshops from May through August. These small group workshops feature a mix of classroom and hands-on equipment operation in the Center's pilot plant. Workshop dates and topics include:
A brochure and additional details are available at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/seedscience/home.html. For help with registration, contact Iowa State University Extension at 515-294-6222. For questions and more information, contact Alan Gual at 515-294-4011, agual@iastate.edu or Mike Stahr at 515-294-0117, mgstahr@iastate.edu. Claiton Herbert Lauber Long-time seedsman Claiton Herbert Lauber, who with his brother Wendell operated Lauber Seed Farms in Geneva, Neb., passed away April 7, 2010 at the age of 85. Claiton was born on a farm near Geneva, spending many hours working with his father and grandfathers on the farms. In the sixth grade he moved with his family to York where his father Herbert started a seed business, the Lauber Seed Company. more 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.
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129th Annual Convention • 2011 Farm & Lawn Seed Conf. • CSS 2011 & Seed Expo • 51st Vegetable & Flower Seed Conf. |