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July 15, 2009
ASTA Develops Guides on Emerging Diseases for Commercial Growers Commercial growers of produce, both fruits and vegetables, face many challenges in cultivating, harvesting, transporting and marketing their products to consumers. One particular area is pressure from diseases that can impact their harvest in either quantity, quality or both. Ongoing discussions by ASTA members with their customers - the commercial grower community - made it clear that the seed industry could play a role in helping to rid or mitigate some of the most devastating diseases facing growers today. ASTA has now made available commercial grower guides on two of these diseases, bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) and bacterial cancer of tomato (Cmm). Through the ASTA Phytosanitary Committee, a working group was formed on emerging diseases where ASTA brought together a variety of members to explore how to best address outreach to growers on the diseases they were struggling with in their operations. First observed in 1989 in U.S. commercial watermelon fields, BFB can be devastating to commercial watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew growers with losses reaching 100 percent. Bacterial canker is a serious tomato disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm). The disease was first discovered in 1909 in Grand Rapids, Mich., but is currently reported in tomato production areas worldwide with annual outbreaks. The guides were developed to provide recommendations to growers in understanding, preventing, identifying, controlling, and eliminating these two diseases. Compiled with contributions from academic and industry experts in the area of BFB and Cmm, these education pamphlets were made available through ASTA and industry sponsors, including Abbot & Cobb, Inc.; American Takii, Inc.; Harris Moran Seed Company: Keithly-Williams Seeds; Nunhems, USA; Sakata Seed American, Inc.; Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc.; Siegers Seed Company; STA Laboratories, Inc.; Syngenta Seeds, Inc. - ROGERS Brand Vegetable Seeds. The guides are intended for broad distribution including posting on seed company Web sites or through local printing capabilities for trade shows and other opportunities to pass along to customers. Through this initiative of ASTA, competitors from the seed industry came together to do its part in helping to address some serious disease pressures facing U.S. growers. ASTA mobilized the resources of technical experts, time, design and funding to develop these guides in a user friendly format to better inform growers and provide recommendations on how to best protect their operations. Available in both English and Spanish, the guides can be found on the ASTA Web site by clicking here. For more information on the guides, please contact Gretchen Flanley with ASTA Communications. ASTA extends its gratitude to the industry and academic experts, committee members and sponsors who made these guides a reality. ASTA Sponsorship Gets New "Look." ASTA is excited to announce new sponsorship guidelines which now permit the use of product or brand logos for use in sponsorship recognition. New definitions regarding "sponsorship" versus "commercial advertising" in the auditing process has allowed the Association to revise sponsorship menus to offer sponsors greater flexibility in their choice of logo for convention displays and materials. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2009-2010 year of ASTA conventions will be released on the ASTA Web site and in print materials in August. For questions on sponsorship opportunities or parameters, contact Jennifer Lord.
Roger Krueger Scholarship Awarded to NC State University Student. Peter Maloney, a doctoral candidate at North Caronlina State University, was awarded the 2009 Roger Krueger Scholarship at ASTA's 126th Annual Convention on June 23. Moloney (pictured far left, along with other graduate students participating in Operation Student Connection and ASTA members and staff) is pursuing a degree in plant breeding, with a research focus on the new use of markers in common cultivated oats and their association with traits for increased winter hardiness. The Roger Krueger Scholarship Endowment was established by the American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF) to honor and remember Dr. Roger Krueger, from Monsanto Company, whose professional career was devoted to seeds. He passionately advocated the role of science in feeding the world and lived to make the world a better place and to make agriculture more able to feed the world. Seeds are small things, but as Roger's colleagues, friends and family all testify, this seed known as Roger Krueger was a small thing done with great love. The interest from the permanent endowment is used for scholarships for students in agriculture - the future of the seed industry. What better way to recognize Roger's life, his work and his willingness to teach and mentor than by supporting the future of seeds? To help honor Roger Krueger, please consider a gift to this endowment fund which will assist generations of students engaged in seed research. The donation is tax deductible, and the entire contribution to the Roger Krueger Scholarship Endowment will be used for scholarships. Checks should be made payable to the American Seed Research Foundation and mailed to 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 650, Alexandria, VA 22306. For more information, please contact ASRF Secretary/Treasurer Ann Jorss through email or by phone at (888) 890-7333. House Narrowly Passes Climate Change Bill. By the narrowest of margins, 219 to 212, the U.S. House of Representatives passed on June 26, a climate change bill that proponents described as a historic first step to regulate greenhouse gasses and opponents described as a bureaucratic jobs killer. Democrats needed a total of 218 votes and would not have gotten there without the support of eight Republicans. Democrats were less united along party lines, with opposition to the bill coming from 44 representatives, mainly those recently elected and those from rural districts. The bill will put a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from large industries, but exempts agriculture from any emission limits. At the same time, capped industries like coal-fired electric utilities will be able to buy offsets from more efficient industries and from farmers and forest landowners who capture carbon in trees and soil. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020. The Senate is expected to take up its version of a climate change bill in September, where its fate is uncertain. Agriculture interests, led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, pushed for changes and accommodations prior to the vote. Food Safety Legislation Brought Forward in Congress. Early in the 111th Congress, ASTA determined that food safety legislation, among other topics, would dominate House, Senate and Administration agendas. Now, as Congress readies for a busy fall, activities are accelerating, and the issue continues to evolve. In the House, Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has successfully moved a bill through the subcommittee. The measure now awaits full committee action. Several provisions are of concern to agriculture, including: new user fees; country of origin labeling (final processing); certification of imports; increased inspections; importer registration requirement; and identification numbers for facilities and importers. Food safety legislation in the Senate continues to move at a slower pace. There are several bills, but Senator Durbin's FDA Food Safety Modernization Act closely patterns the House measure. Once the House passes its version, the Senate is likely to step up its consideration of food safety legislation. ASTA is closely watching congressional action and is in contact and coordination with other sectors of the agriculture industry. State and Regional Association Issues Briefing Outlines Legislative Agenda. This successful meeting, held during the recent ASTA Annual Convention, brought together almost 40 representatives from 18 states, offered many "take-aways." Resulting from one session was a slate of priority state legislative issues so far this year. ASTA will assist state and regional seed associations in addressing these priority issues. Below is a summary of the roundtable discussion outlining these priority issues. Arizona: As a result of state budget gaps being considered by the legislature, the seed laboratory was almost shut down. The wide range of farmer organizations mobilized and brought suit against the Arizona Department of Agriculture because check-off funds were redirected toward the general budget. A hearing was held May 18, and a decision is expected soon. California: The focus has been on budget and water issues. Currently four counties ban genetically engineered products, making business there difficult. Also, a group has been formed to standardize the process to address sustainable agriculture. Illinois: The legislature passed a 15-month cool season grasses bill. Also introduced were a restrictive labeling bill and a strict liability bill, which did not get out of committee. Indiana: The stall in the budget process has held up legislative activity, with nothing significant surfacing for the seed industry. Iowa: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has considered using the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and procedures for seed sales by count rather than the industry-accepted Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) guidelines, thus creating a more restrictive situation. An industry summit was held in May, with the commissioner expected to make a policy decision in the near future. Kansas: A bill was introduced, but failed, that would have required titling of all farm implements. Maryland: A 15-month cool season grasses bill passed. Michigan: Onerous pollen drift and seed liability bills were stopped during the recent session. The seed laboratory has been closed due to budget restraints. Regulations are now enforced only on a complaint basis. Minnesota: This session has been relatively quiet for the seed industry. A few anti-biotechnology bills were introduced, but did not progress. Although the budget was highly debated, the budget for the Department of Agriculture passed. Mississippi: Similar to most states, the focus of this legislative session has been on funding. Nebraska: A seed pre-emption bill passed. A term limit policy passed a few years ago is beginning to have an impact on the overall operations of the legislature. New York: The seed industry came together to stop a proposed seed sales fee included in the Governor's budget. Oregon: The use of the slow-pay, no-pay law increased in Spring 2009. Pennsylvania: The Department of Agriculture's budget was cut 25 percent. South Dakota: A small, vocal group in the state has been creating anti-biotechnology issues within the legislature. Texas: The state seed and plant board members are now appointed by the agriculture commissioner rather than the governor, thus expediting the process. An eminent domain bill that would have allowed arbitrary agricultural land takings for economic development was stopped. ASTA Delegation to Attend China Agriculture Technology Transfer Seminar in Beijing. ASTA's President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Vice President of Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky along with three ASTA members are in Beijing from July 13-21 to attend the China Agriculture Technology Transfer Seminar and to also hold meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture, China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), CropLife China and the Agriculture Commissioner of Jilin Province. Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) to Host 2nd Bi-Annual Congress. Registration is open for the 2nd Bi-annual Congress of SAA. The Congress will take place Sept. 28 - 30, 2009, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. To register and find all pertinent information on the Congress venue and program, please click here. The program will focus on three key topics of seed trade between the Americas: phytosanitary issues, intellectual property rights and biotechnology, specifically low level presence in seed. The Congress venue will also host a trading floor and exhibition for attendees to conduct business between sessions. Jean-Pierre Posa, SAA president, encourages all doing business within the Americas to attend stating that, "[The Congress] is a time to gather to discuss issues that are common to our growing industry among seed companies and related business partners, to do business, and of course, meet with our colleagues and acquaintances." If you have any questions on the Congress please contact Diego Risso, SAA secretary general or Lisa Nichols at ASTA. Monthly Conference Calls with USDA's Animal and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Continue; Member Interest Grows. On July 9, ASTA and APHIS held a call that included 15 ASTA member participants. Agenda items included: discussions on problems associated with the movement of organic seed to Mexico, potential impacts of proposed changes to the noxious weed regulations, issues surrounding compliance with zero tolerances for soil in seed shipments, seed re-export issues and proposed changes to the international standards, APHIS' proposal for an international commodity standard for seed movement, need for developing internationally recognized lists of seed pathogens, electronic phytosanitary certification and the value of becoming accredited through the National Seed Health System (NSHS). Almost every discussion ended with an action item and a commitment by APHIS staff for follow-up. Several participants identified country-specific issues for which APHIS committed to address through bi-lateral discussions with these countries. "These calls have been valuable for both the ASTA participants and APHIS staff. If APHIS is aware of our problems and concerns, they step up to the plate to help us," notes Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade. Each month ASTA sends out a request for agenda items to prepare for these calls so that APHIS can make sure the right staffers participate from their side. If you have an interest in participating on these calls and have proposed agenda items, please contact Ric Dunkle. ASTA Members Review Proposed Changes by APHIS on Noxious Weeds. On June 10, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in a Federal Register Notice proposed changes and additions to its noxious weed regulations. Several significant changes are being proposed including changes in permitting procedures for handling noxious weeds (primarily impacts researchers), adding criteria for adding or removing taxa to or off the federal noxious weed list, and a proposal to add seven new taxa to the list. There is a 60-day comment period. This notice has been sent to the ASTA Phytosanitary, Veg Tech, and Emerging Diseases Committees for input to prepare official comments from the seed industry by deadline on August 10, 2009. Proposed Changes to Two International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Standards. There are two IPPC standards dealing with phytosanitary certification and re-export (Nos. 7 and 12) that are now out for country consultation. ASTA plans to submit comments to USDA for submittal to the IPPC, and ASTA is seeking comments from its members through the Phytosanitary Committee. The International Seed Federation is also submitting comments and is coordinating with ASTA and other seed associations internationally. The North American Plant Protection Organization just released a proposed regional standard on accreditationfor country consultation. ASTA will also be seeking input from ASTA members on this standard. If you have an interest in seeing and reviewing these documents, please contact Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade. ASTA Committees: Involvement = Greater Value Enviromental & Conservation Seed Committee Description: Current Activities: Next Scheduled Meeting: Key Contacts:
July 1. Members of the Foreign Agricultural Service Junior Professional Advisory Committee came to the ASTA office to meet with staff members for an "ASTA 101" presentation and a question and answer session on the U.S. seed industry. July 8. ASTA's China Working Group convened via conference call to discuss this week's trip to Beijing and Jilin Province, as well as other upcoming activities including the Chinese delegation to the U.S. in late August for the Plant Variety Protection Short Course and ASTA company visits, as well as the China Ag Trade Fair in Jilin Province in September. July 14. ASTA members and members from the Ag Handlers Exposure Task Force met with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Effects Division and Biological and Economic Effects Division to discuss the re-definition of an industry survey to be conducted in order to compile seed treatment use data which is used in EPA worker exposure and risk assessments as well in obtaining seed treatment registrations. For more information on this effort, please contact Lisa Nichols. July 15. ASTA's Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols and Manager of International and Domestic Programming Jillian Barnett met with the following Agricultural Attaches from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service to discuss ASTA's priority country strategies and program plans as a part of the U.S. Agriculture Export Development Council's FY2009 Attaché Seminar: Eric Trachtenberg, and Joshua Lagos, China; Suzanne Heinen, Italy; Thom Wright, India; Michael Reidel and Jeanne Bailey, Vietnam; and David Mergen, Argentina. Iowa State to Hold Annual Corn and Soybean Seed Quality Workshop. The Iowa State University Seed Laboratory will be conducting its annual Corn and Soybean Seed Quality Workshop Aug. 19-20. It is an opportunity for gaining hands-on experience with most tests commonly conducted on corn and soybean seed lots. This includes warm germination, vigor, trait/AP and other tests. The first day focuses on corn, the second day on soybeans. Lecture topics include seed and seedling morphology, rules, seedling evaluation, seed health, trait/AP, sampling and seed industry organizations. Two seed lots are followed throughout the tests each day. Participants will discuss results and testing issues from the previous season. Please call 515-294-6821 for more information or check www.seeds.iastate.edu and click on Workshops/Training. Seeds of Change Announces Upcoming International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) 'Breeding Diversity' Conference. Seeds of Change will host the IFOAM 'Breeding Diversity' Conference in Santa Fe, N.M., from Aug. 25-28, 2009. Participants will include farming, breeding and regulatory professionals from around the world. Seeds of Change has already received more than 100 scientific papers on organic plant and animal breeding methods and objectives. This conference will bring together stakeholders in the organic business to discuss and apply strategies aimed at increasing the value in the organic food chain, by focusing on breeding and production systems. IFOAM is the worldwide parent organization for the organic movement, bringing together more than 750 member organizations in 108 countries. Please see the Seeds of Change Web site for more information on the IFOAM Conference. Home Garden Seed Association to Hold 2nd Annual Summer Conference and Trials. The Home Garden Seed Association will be conducting their 2nd Annual Summer Conference and Trials August 9-11, 2009, in Corvallis, Ore. There will be roundtable discussions, tours, and more. To see this year's itinerary click here and register by July 20 to receive the reduced registration rate.
Government Reports USDA
USDA/AMS USDA/ARS
USDA/APHIS
USDA/ERS
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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129th Annual Convention • 2011 Farm & Lawn Seed Conf. • CSS 2011 & Seed Expo • 51st Vegetable & Flower Seed Conf. |