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July 9 , 2008
ASTA Launches Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices. The U.S. seed industry, through ASTA, has developed the Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices to offer general guidance for the development and production of seed products intended for food, feed, fiber or fuel use and for the maintenance of product integrity and purity of both biotechnology-derived seed and non-biotechnology seed. The Guide covers the plant product life cycle from the point of incorporation of a trait into a breeding program through commercial seed production and sale. The Guide to Seed Quality Management will be maintained in a dynamic and interactive format on the ASTA Web site and can be found directly through www.amseed.org/seedquality. The U.S. seed industry is committed to bringing quality seed to farmers around the world. The Guide is intended to serve as a reference document for companies developing individual quality management practices and operating procedures. Organized to accommodate different seed business models and practices, the Guide allows an organization to utilize the guidance for the respective areas in the seed product life cycle were they perform. A standard set of information following general quality management principles is presented for each stage of the plant product life cycle incorporated within the Guide. Quality management systems provide structure and rigor to business practices. Quality control and seed purity are essential to product development and commercial life cycle and include practices such as tracking mechanisms, effective record keeping, protocols for product testing and appropriate isolation during product development. With high quality seed, farmers have more choices and the selection of seed is the single most important factor they can control in their operations. There is no substitute for quality seed. Today's seed offers improved genetics, with more solutions for farmers contained within the seed, providing increased yields, better quality crops and a higher return on a farmer's investment. "ASTA is pleased to have developed a tool for organizations to use in order to provide guidance on applying quality management systems to seed industry practices," said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "As a first step, we hope that our members find this guidance valuable as they develop their own practices and procedures. Beyond that, the Guide can serve as a foundation for further guidance that may be specific to certain segments of the seed industry or even for our partner seed organizations around the world." Dr. Wayne Guerke, a consultant in the seed industry who has held positions with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and worked closely with national seed testing organizations, was one of the first to see the Guide. He remarked, "The ASTA Seed Quality Management Guide is a most significant and invaluable contribution to the broader seed industry...or managing quality from the breeder to the grower, conditioner and dealer as well as the testing laboratory. The Guide will serve as an instrument to elevate the diverse elements of seed production and marketing...for maintaining high quality seed." What's New at ASTA?! Photos from the ASTA's 125th Annual Convention in Orlando are now available on ASTA's Web site under the convention. Click here for a direct link to view and order pictures taken by the official photographer. Keep an eye out for order forms for other anniversary commemorative collectibles from the convention, including the historical book, 125 Years of the American Seed Trade Association. ASTA's 2007 Annual Report has also been posted on the Web site and can be found through this link. Copies of the report will be sent to member companies in the near future. To better serve our members, ASTA will be looking for your feedback. A survey has been sent to see what was great at the last ASTA Annual Convention and what you would like to see improved or changed. Through your feedback, ASTA can continue to bring quality programming and opportunities to its members. Taking that a step further, ASTA leadership will be conducting a broad survey to evaluate its strategic priorities, its ability to address them, issues that the seed industry may be facing now or in the future, as well as the services and value of ASTA membership. Look for this email coming in the next month to provide your thoughts - and maybe even win a prize!
ASTA's Meetings Offer Networking Opportunities for Seed Industry. ASTA's 125th Annual Convention featured a series of networking opportunities with seed industry leaders, agricultural executives, and dynamic speakers. ASTA members also had a chance to personally interact with U.S. government representatives who drive policy and regulations pertinent to the seed industry. Future contributors to the seed industry were represented by the students attending the convention through the Campus Connections program of the Future Seed Executives and the American Seed Research Foundation's Operation Student Connection. ASTA members looking for new talent for their businesses were able to spend quality time with the students through many activities and sessions held throughout the convention. Exhibitors at the 125th Annual Convention added to the networking opportunities by offering a host of information about valuable goods and services and the history of the seed industry. These included an accreditation service booth operated by USDA/APHIS, a cooperative presence from the Independent Professional Seedsmen's Association and the Indiana Crop Improvement Association, a new booth for ASTA's First the Seed Foundation, which debuted at the convention. Returning exhibitor favorites included Becker Underwood, Doriane, Management Recruiters of Iowa City, Mid-West Seed Services, Inc., Pacifica Research and the trade publications Seed Today and Seed World, who each distributed special ASTA anniversary editions of their magazines. Equipment exhibitors included A.T. Ferrell Company, Inc., Cablevey Conveyors and Oliver Manufacturing Company, while science and technology partners such as AgBiotech, Inc., TJ Technologies, Weather Bill and Zeltex each offering unique services for seed companies. Exhibits included live equipment displays and company representatives on-hand to discuss each company's services to the seed industry. Don't miss out on the next great networking opportunity for your company and its operations, ASTA's Seed Expo 2008 in December! ASTA Extends a Warm Welcome to 12 New Members. ASTA's Board of Directors approved the membership of 12 companies on June 26, 2008. New members include the following: CaroTrans International, Inc.; GardenGenetics LLC; Green Co., Ltd.; Multisem Chile; Nong Woo Seed America, Inc.; OmagaSeed; Plant Health Care, Inc.; Smart Seeds; Storm Exchange, Inc.; Timco Worldwide, Inc.; and WeatherBill. ASTA thanks them for their membership and welcomes them to the association. ASTA Makes Statement Regarding the Role of Seed in Food Safety. On June 26, the ASTA Board of Directors approved a "Statement on Field and Greenhouse Planted Seeds and Human Pathogens." Recognizing the concern of consumers with the safety of their food, the U.S. seed industry developed the statement to emphasize that existing data do not show that human pathogens pose a risk for seed planted for field or greenhouse production of fresh produce or that these pathogens are transmitted from seed to this produce. Seed is already produced under strict quality assurance and quality control procedures to meet product quality standards to be available for sale. Increased knowledge and technology gaps must be bridged in order to effectively minimize the risk of future human food borne disease outbreaks. This would help improve consumer confidence in fresh produce. Recent outbreaks due to a strain of salmonella were initially linked to tomato consumption; however, the trace back investigation has been broadened to be sure that the assessment encompasses food items commonly consumed with tomatoes. This case illustrates why ASTA supports science based research that prioritizes and focuses on areas of greatest exposure where human pathogens might enter the fresh produce supply chain. It is important that this research is a collaborative effort of industry, academic and regulatory groups and that it produces the most practical and actionable impact on food handling and safety. To read the full statement, please click here.
Last Chance to Register for FuSE Educational Unit on July 23. The next Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Unit will be held at AgReliant Genetics, LLC in Champaign, Ill., on July 23. Highly popular with participants, the Educational Units provide one-day programs hosted by ASTA member companies in conjunction with local universities. The exciting agenda for the next Educational Unit is now finalized and can be found here. The seminar will feature an overview of quality control and current research projects at AgReliant Genetics, LLC, a tour of the research facility, a case study on drought tolerance by Dr. Emerson Nafzinger of the University of Illinois and numerous networking opportunities with other young professionals. Information on airports, lodging and driving directions are now posted on the FuSE Web site. An optional social event will also be held on Tuesday, July, 22. Please note that the FuSE Educational Unit is filling up quickly, and registrations must be received in the ASTA office by Monday, July 14. Click here to register for the event. Should you have any questions about the upcoming Educational Unit or FuSE, please contact Jason Laney.
ASTA Presents Highest Honors to Members and Industry Leaders. Chairman Mike Peterson presented three of the highest honors ASTA bestows at the association's 125th Annual Convention on June 24. Gary Beil of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association and Charles Leamons of the Texas Seed Trade Association each received the Distinguished Service Award, while Bill Latham of Latham Seeds, Inc. was honored with the Honorary Lifetime Member Award which dates back to 1907. Gary Beil contributed to the seed industry and ASTA both domestically and internationally through his many roles. He has provided sound advice and clarity on many complicated issues including cross pollination, seed certification, emerging technologies such as biotechnology, conservation, native and non-native seed and labeling. As chairman of the Invasive Species Working Group, he provided unique perspective and experience on the challenges facing agronomic crops continually evaluated at the state level. At the federal level, Beil was appointed to the National Invasive Species Advisory Council, and where until that time, the seed industry was not officially represented. Charles Leamons has distinguished himself as a leader and supporter of the seed industry in a career that spans three decades. With a career that began in 1971 as an inspector with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), he rose through the ranks, and in 1990, he assumed the position as director for the Seed Quality Division, a post he held until 1999. He served as chairman of the Recommended Uniform State Seed Law (RUSSL) Committee. RUSSL, a model seed law for states is strongly supported by ASTA. His work with the industry resulted in several amendments that were ultimately adopted, most notably an amendment to provide for arbitration. Leamons also established himself as a leader in phytosanitary issues, especially in the area of sorghum ergot, a challenge still being addressed by ASTA and its members. After retiring from TDA in 1999, Leamons became the Executive Vice President of the Texas Seed Trade Association (TSA), where ASTA and the entire seed industry continue to benefit from his service. Bill Latham's career spans decades, and he is noted for contributions as an alum, former president of ASTA and tireless committee and division participant. More specifically, leadership and elected positions include ASTA's soybean division, a state seed association and a state crop improvement association. He has also devoted years of service to the American Seed Research Foundation and is responsible for creating and running the Operation Student Connection, currently in its eighth year. ASTA Notifies Members about Comments Sought by the Food and Drug Administration. On July 1, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register regarding a proposed Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) survey. Comments are due by September 2, 2008. FDA's stated purpose of this survey is "to better understand how farmers and growers use GAPs to address common risk factors in their operations." The survey is geared primarily to growers of fresh produce. FDA issued a guidance document in 1998, "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables" which outlined microbial food safety hazards and GAPs common to the growing, harvesting, washing, sorting, packing and transporting of most fruits and vegetables sold to consumers in an unprocessed or minimally processed (raw) form. According to FDA, there is evidence that growers have not fully implemented the GAPs to reduce food safety risks. FDA is planning to conduct this survey to determine growers' decision-making processes regarding implementing GAPs on the farm, in an effort to better understand the barriers and constraints to the use of GAPs. The survey will employ a research method called "mental modeling" in which the decision-making processes of a group of respondents are modeled and compared to a model derived from experts on the use of GAPs. Information will be collected using telephone interviews. Once the two models are compared and analyzed, "consequential knowledge gaps" will be identified that will be addressed through information campaigns designed by FDA. The Federal Register notice is at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-14887.htm. ASTA members that produce seed for the fresh produce industry are encouraged to provide comments. USDA Announces Release of CRP Acres for Grazing in Flood Disaster Areas. On July 7, USDA Secretary Ed Schafer released Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for livestock grazing in counties that were flooded and recently designated as Presidential Disaster Areas. The release is limited to counties designated as primary and contiguous disaster areas and only because of flooding. "We have a crisis situation in the Midwest and other parts of the country that calls for drastic action," said Schafer. "Major flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries came at one of the worst times for agriculture. Flood waters inundated thousands of acres that cannot be salvaged for production this growing season, and it happened at a time of record crop, food and fuel prices. Our CRP land is vital to the balance we promote at USDA between production and preservation. I commit this resource knowing that we must redouble our conservation effort at every future opportunity," said Schafer. The states with counties that will permit livestock grazing include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. "We commend Secretary Schafer's action to help the farmers and livestock producers adversely impacted by recent floods in the Midwest," said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "While striving to constantly produce the highest quality seeds for all farmers, ASTA members also provide the majority of quality seed for conservation and environmental projects throughout the country. ASTA and its members will work closely with farmers and livestock producers during this extremely difficult time as they work to recover from these devastating flood conditions," remarked LaVigne. More information on the announcement can be found on the USDA Web site by clicking here. Subcommittee Reviews the Status of Pollinator Health & Colony Collapse Disorder. The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture held a hearing on June 26 to review the status of pollinator health including colony collapse disorder. Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) is chairman of the Subcommittee. "The importance of bees and other pollinators cannot be underestimated. Nearly 130 different crops - totaling over $15 billion in annual farm gate value - depend on pollination to grow. Simply put, if there are no bees, there is no way for our nation's farmers to continue to grow the high quality, nutritious foods our country relies on," Cardoza said. "Testimony today also revealed that the lack of pollinators could further increase food prices. USDA desperately needs to better coordinate their research and response to this ongoing crisis, and more clearly define their needs, so that Congress can adequately respond." Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Neugebauer of Texas remarked, "I appreciate the efforts of agencies at the Department of Agriculture to take the lead in the research and dissemination of information regarding Colony Collapse Disorder. I encourage USDA and its university and state partners to continue to work closely with the bee industry in this effort, and to work together in coordinating research in efforts to increase and inform interested parties on this very important issue." The hearing marks the second House Agriculture Committee hearing in the 110th Congress to examine the health of pollinators and the threat of colony collapse disorder in honey bee colonies across the United States. Researchers and entomologists, commercial beekeepers and agricultural producers that depend on bees for pollination of their crops provided testimony to the Subcommittee. Honeybees are the most economically valuable pollinators of farm crops in the world, contributing to the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and forage crops and are critical for seed production. "ASTA and its members are following this issue very closely due to its potential impact on the seed industry," said Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade. "We are discussing how ASTA can best serve its members in addressing this problem as it continues to escalate." The opening statements of all witnesses and a full transcript of the hearing are available at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.
ASTA Advocates for the Seed Industry with U.S. Senate. Board member Nancy Aerni of Turf Merchants in Tangent, Ore., met with U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (D-OR) while he was back in his home state last week. Aerni provided an overview of ASTA initiatives and discussed current issues facing the seed industry with Senator Smith. Smith plays an important role in Congress for the seed industry, serving on five major Senate committees: Special Committee on Aging: Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Indian Affairs; and Finance. In addition, he is a member of the Senate Western Water and Rural Health Caucuses as well as the Chairman of the High Tech Task Force. Smith has been selected by leadership three times to be a Deputy Whip. State and Regional Seed Association Executives Recognized for their Hard Work. During the State and Regional Seed Association Executives Workshop held on June 22 at ASTA's 125th Annual Convention, the following awards were presented:
Codex Alimentarius Approves Guidance for Low Level Presence in Food. The Codex Alimentarius Commission approved on July 4, 2008, guidance for the safety assessment of food in situations of low-level presence (LLP) of recombinant-DNA plant material in food. This guidance is an annex to the previously approved Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant DNA-Plants to address situations when a product may not be yet approved by an importing country, but is approved in the country of origin. "ASTA and its members congratulate the Codex Commission for approving this important guidance and for recognizing that low level presence is unavoidable in commodity distribution systems and is natural to plant biology," said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "This guidance will provide regulators with science-based tools to address these situations of low level presence and will serve to maintain high standards of food safety without unnecessarily impeding trade. ASTA would also like to commend the efforts and leadership of the U.S. government during the development of this document." The Codex Commission also approved two additional guidelines developed by the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Food Derived from Biotechnology. The guidelines included the Annex on Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant DNA-Plants Modified for Nutritional or Health Benefits and the Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals. OECD Holds Seed Schemes Annual Meeting in Chicago. At the 50th anniversary meeting of Seed Schemes, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) voted to add two additional nations, India and Moldova, to the organization. ASTA hosted a reception which was well-attended. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne provided welcoming comments, thanking OECD and the International Seed Federation for their efforts in helping to provide a level playing field for the international movement and trade of high quality seed. ASTA displayed a poster outlining quality management practices that are voluntarily implemented by member seed companies to ensure seed of the highest quality and performance. ASTA's Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices was also demonstrated at the booth through its multimedia and interactive format. Those who observed the demonstration were very impressed with the quality of information, level of detail and user-friendly attributes of the program. A companion brochure was also provided. Because this meeting is primarily attended by government representatives (there are now 57 countries participating in the OECD Seed Schemes), many of them were unaware of the commitment within the private sector to produce seed that exceed international standards for quality, purity and performance. "I believe we were successful in getting the message across that our members make all efforts possible to produce seed of the highest quality, purity and performance, both for domestic and international markets," noted LaVigne. National Sorghum Checkoff Begins Collections. On July 1, 2008, the Sorghum Promotion, Research and Information Order officially began collections for a program that will contribute to the improved development of the sorghum industry. The National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Board of Directors has been working toward the creation of a nation-wide sorghum checkoff program for over two years. "This first checked-off load represents a milestone for the sorghum industry," said NSP President Dale Murden of Monte Alto, Texas. "This step will lead to more research on sorghum, better markets for sorghum, and eventually more acres for this crop." The checkoff rate for grain sorghum is 0.6 percent of value and is collected at the first point of sale. The checkoff rate for forage sorghum is 0.35 percent of value. In many states, a previously-existing state checkoff was suspended upon commencement of national checkoff assessments. "We have watched the decline of sorghum acres and the sorghum industry for the last 28 years," said Gerald Simonsen, a farmer from Ruskin, Neb. "To the producers for whom sorghum is an important part of their operation, the national sorghum checkoff is without any doubt the most positive move we have seen in those 28 years." Sorghum is used for animal feeding, for high-output ethanol production, as a gluten-free alternative food, and has many niche markets such as birdseed and wallboard. Much of the U.S. sorghum crop is also exported to Mexico and Europe for animal feeding and ethanol production. "We have watched as public and private funding for the industry has been cut," said Simonsen. "To me, it is inspiring that producers have taken it upon themselves to invest in their own industry." Agriculture Industry Loses Leaders and Seedsmen.
ASTA and its members extend our condolences to the families of those who have passed away. Ahern Seeds Hires New Technical Sales Representative. Ahern International Seeds announce that Ing. Armando Luna has been hired as technical sales representative for Northern Sinaloa and Southern Sonora, effective July 1, 2008. Luna earned his bachelor's degree in Plant Science from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, and his master's in Plant Science from North Dakota State University. He spent 12 years with Syngenta Seeds in product development, four years with Ciba-Geigy in product development and five years as a breeder assistant for the International Maize and Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Luna specializes in the cultivation of hybrid tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, squash and beans. "After a year-long search we have found the ideal candidate for product development and sales in Northern Sinaloa and Southern Sonora," says Kevin Ahern, president and CEO of Ahern Seeds. "Ing. Aramano Luna is a consummate professional who will strengthen Ahern Seeds' product development and promotional efforts in this strategic market. Armando's vast technical experience, tremendous work ethic and unassailable reputation will continue to serve growers well in his new position with Ahern Seeds. We are delighted to have someone of his caliber join our team."
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events 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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Grain Handler's Database • Seed Quality Management • CSS 2008 & Seed Expo • 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference • 125th Annual Convention |