Seed E-News

June 8 , 2007

Welcome to ASTA's electronic newsletter for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcom — contact Lisa Dry at ASTA.

Past issues can be viewed here .

Reports from USDA

• 6/8 The European Union Annual Agricultural Biotech Report
• 6/5 Bolivia, Oilseeds and Products Annual
• 6/5 China, Peoples Republic of: Protect your Trademark... before Someone else Trades Your Mark
• 6/5 China, Edible Bean, Pea and Lentil Situation
• 6/5 China, Tomatoes and Products Annual
• 6/5 India, Biofuels Annual
• 6/5 Mexico, Tomatoes and Products Annual
• 6/5 Russian Federation, Opportunity for U.S. Food Sales
• 6/5 Senegal, Oilseeds and Products Annual
• 6/5 Zimbabwe, Grain and Feed Voluntary

In the News

• A Perennial Search for Perfect Wheat, The New York Times, 6/5

ASTA Member Elected Chair of ISF Plant Breeders' Committee

(Note from the editor: Mr. Johnson was elected chairman of the Plant Breeders' Committee, not the Intellectual Property Committee as was reported earlier).

ASTA members and staff attended the 2007 International Seed Federation (ISF)World Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand on May 21-23. The Congress adopted position papers on Plant Genetic Resources, Protection of Hybrids and amendments to the Regulation for Arbitration of Disputes concerning Essential Derivation. ASTA Central Region Vice President Tim Johnson of Seed Genetics, Inc., was elected chairman of the ISF Plant Breeders Committee and the ISF Board of Directors. The Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) Board of Directors held a meeting at the Congress to continue planning for the SAA Conference to be held in Buenos Aires, September 5-7, 2007. For more information contact Bernice Slutsky.

State of the States ...

Minnesota Moves to Protect Native Crop

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty recently signed the Omnibus Environment and Natural Finance Bill (H 2410/S 2096) which will become law August 1. Included in the law is a provision to grant the DNA of Minnesota wild rice special protection. This is the first time a state has voted to protect a native crop or species from genetic modification.

Under the new law, environmental impact statements will be required for genetic modifications to wild rice under permits controlled by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. The board is also required to notify wild rice farmers, Indian tribes and legislators if permits for genetically altered wild rice are issued in any state.

In addition, the State Department of Natural Resources will study the status of natural wild rice and potential threats. In an interview with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Rep. Frank Moe (DFL-Bemidji) said, "Wild rice is not only historically and economically important for all Minnesotans, it's sacred to the Ojibwe people. It's both important food for us and prime fish and duck habitat. We need to study the declining wild rice population and protect against any genetic damage to native wild rice."

For more information on state affairs, contact Pat Miller.

ASTA Attends Annual Seed Experts Meeting

This week ASTA's Leslie Cahill attended the 82nd joint annual meeting of the Association of Official Seed Analysts and Society of Commercial Seed Technologists in Cody, Wyo. A record number of attendees participated in sessions and discussion covering: native seed; tetrazolium testing; vigor; and genetics. USDA fully participated on seed lab accreditation programs.

Meet the 124th Annual Convention Exhibitors

A wide range of products and services will be on display at the Trading Room during the ASTA 124th Annual Convention June 23-27 in Broomfield, Colo. Exhibitors will be on hand to showcase their firms and discuss their areas of expertise. The Trading Room will also feature a Cyber Café and trading tables. Be sure to stop by the special ASTA booth displaying information about next year's 125th Anniversary Convention to be held in Orlando, June 21 - 25. There will also be drawings for prizes, so be sure to stop by the booths to increase your chance of winning.

A layout of the Trading Room listing all the exhibitors and their locations can be found on a new page of the ASTA Web site titled "Visit the Exhibitors." If you are interested in exhibiting at the Convention, please contact Nikki Clifford at or call (571) 431-7331 for additional information.

Tour Updates for the Colorado Convention

Two of the optional tours for the 124th Annual Convention in Broomfield, Colo., have been cancelled. They are the "Denver City Tour," which was scheduled for Sun., June 24, and the "Best of Boulder Tour," planned for Tues., June 26. The tour operator, The Arrangers Destination Management Company, is contacting individuals who had signed up for these tours to make alternate arrangements.

Two other tours will be held as planned. The "Day Trip to Fort Collins," on Sat., June 23, and the "Foothills Fandango" tour to Golden, which includes the Coors Brewery, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Dinosaur Ridge, remains scheduled for Tues., June 26; this tour is now sold-out.

Other special events during the convention include the "Wild West Welcome Reception" on Sun., June 24, and the Opening General Session and Breakfast on Mon., June 25, featuring keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki, one of the founders of Apple Corporation. The Gala Banquet on Tues., June 26, will feature entertainment by Big Ray and the Kool Kats, back by popular demand from the 2006 Annual Convention.

Pre-registration for the convention is now closed and the deadline has passed for the group rate at the host hotel, the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, Colo. If you would still like to attend the convention and need special assistance, contact Jennifer Lord or Nikki Clifford at the ASTA office.

Company News and People on the Move ...

Seed World announces the recipient of the first Future Giants of the Seed Industry Award, Dr. Clinton Pilcher, Corn Insect Traits Technology Development Manager with Monsanto Company. The award is co-presented by FuSE (Future Seed Executives), an ASTA initiative, and Seed World magazine. The award recognizes a young individual who shows the potential to make a significant contribution to the industry. Read more ...

The Page Seed Company announces it will plant the first tree in America as a part of the World Clean Air Forest initiative in support of the United Nations Environmental Programme/Billion Tree Campaign, on June 14.

Upcoming Industry Events

Oregon Seed Trade Association Annual Meeting
6/7-10
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver, OR

Illinois Seed Trade Annual Meeting
Hotel Pere Marquette
Peoria, IL
6/13

The Illinois Seed Trade Hacker/Slacker Golf Outing
6/14
Weaver Ridge Golf Course
Peoria, IL

ASTA 124th Annual Convention
6/23-27
Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa
Broomfield, CO

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events