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July 23 , 2008
2008 Farm Bill will Impact Seed Industry. Despite delays, extensions and political wrangling, a new 2008 farm bill is in the process of being enacted. Although the measure directs two-thirds of the funding to nutrition programs, the seed industry is directly impacted by the farm bill. Accordingly, there are numerous opportunities available to ASTA and the seed industry, in particular:
The farm bill provides an opportunity to reinforce the mission of ASTA and the top priority of its members: Providing better seed, to produce better crops for a better quality of life. The future of agriculture requires the seed industry to continue a focus of commitment, innovation and performance to bring quality seed to market. The farm bill gives a framework of guidance and resources as seedsmen continue to build the foundation of agriculture to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel beyond the United States, to people around the world. Not unlike other agricultural groups and associations, ASTA is committed to production agriculture and to sound and effective stewardship. The seed industry is also supportive of initiatives that complement wellness and good nutrition. The Specialty Crop Research Initiative is an example of a critical program to the seed industry, to agriculture in general, as well as to the American consumer. Seed E-News will carry a series of feature articles examining key components of the farm bill important to ASTA membership. The following is part one in this series. Specialty Crop Research Initiative USDA has begun the process of issuing guidance and programs from the 2008 farm bill. As a result, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) is one key component of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. SCRI was established to solve critical industry issues through research and extension activities. In the program, specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. SCRI will give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional or trans-disciplinary and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public. Funding for the initiative is authorized through the new farm bill at $50 million each year beginning in 2009 through 2012. A total of $230 million over the course of the five year farm bill will enable recipients of the funding to focus on five specific areas: (1) plant breeding, genetics and genomics research to improve crop characteristics; (2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases; (3) innovation and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; (4) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability; and (5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops. The programs are administered through USDA's Cooperative State Research Extension and Education Service (CSREES). To view the online application, visit www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/specialty_crop.html. The Federal Register Notice detailing the application process and criteria is expected to be published the week of July 21. ASTA members will be provided the link when it is available. ASTA Launches Survey to Better Service Members. ASTA has initiated a survey of seed industry representatives among current and past members. The feedback is invaluable to ASTA leadership and staff as the association's efforts put forth to represent the seed industry and to bring services that assist in everyday business operations. The results gathered through the survey will enable ASTA to make the changes needed to better serve its membership. The Marketing Research Department of GROWMARK, Inc. is assisting in this endeavor. The survey must be completed by Thursday, July 31. ASTA would like to thank those participating in the survey. Because the survey is an investment of people's time, ASTA will hold a drawing for gas cards (two for $100 and two for $50). The initial results from this broad electronic survey will be presented to the Executive Committee in September. Thank you again for your support!
ASTA Welcomes New Staff Member. Hiranthie Stanford joined ASTA as the meetings and membership coordinator in June and hit the ground running at the ASTA 125th Annual Convention. Ms. Stanford comes to ASTA from the Epilepsy Foundation where she served as a program specialist and provided various services in support of their programs and outreach activities. She also has extensive experience in the financial sector in debt recovery, financial analysis and accounts management. A graduate of Bowie State University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Hiranthie can be reached through ASTA headquarters or by email at hstanford@amseed.org. ASTA Attends AOSCA Annual Meeting in Quebec City. Senior Director for Seed Health and Trade Ric Dunkle represented ASTA at the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) Annual Meeting and provided an update of ASTA activities to their advisory committee. Many other organizations were represented at the meeting including the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST), the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO), and numerous Canadian groups including the Canadian Seed Trade Association and the Canadian Seed Growers Association. Of particular interest to the advisory committee were ASTA's stewardship program, phytosanitary activities and the statement on food safety. This meeting also provided an opportunity to network and discuss issues in an informal setting. Dunkle remarked, "I was extremely encouraged by the willingness of organizations such as AOSCA, AOSA, SCST and AASCO to work with us in ASTA as full partners to support the seed industry and solve critical problems." Capture Memories of ASTA's Celebration of 125 Years. ASTA is proud to offer two historical retrospectives on the rich history of the association, both entitled "125 Years of the American Seed Trade Association." The first is a pictorial history book written by Anjelina Keating. This limited edition, 8.5" x 11" hard cover volume provides a snapshot of the seed industry throughout its many years, the roles ASTA played in the industry's development and a look at the new programs that will shape the seed industry of tomorrow. The second is the video companion to the book, bringing to life the images and stories of the evolution of ASTA. Also in a limited quantity, the DVD includes interviews from ASTA's leadership and members over the years and a meaningful collection of photos and moments in the history of ASTA not found within the book. Reserve a copy of either for only $20, or a combination set of both for $35. A special deluxe edition of the DVD, which also includes some of the blockbuster animation video previously only seen at ASTA's 125th Annual Convention, is also available for $30. An additional charge of $5 will be added for shipping and handling. Don't miss the opportunity to capture the history all seedsmen have contributed to in this limited-edition 125th Anniversary collection. Click here to place an order today! Reserve Hotel Rooms Early for the Upcoming Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference. The fast-growing conference of any ASTA event, the 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference will be held Feb. 7-10, 2009, at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. The 2009 conference falls at the end of the week of Super Bowl XLIII, as well as the Annual Gasparilla Festival on Feb. 7, 2009. This places extra pressure on room availability at our host hotel, so please make reservations immediately in order to ensure lodging. To make a reservation, contact the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel at (813) 221-4900 and ask for the American Seed Trade Association group rate of $199 singe/double. Click here for a direct link to the hotel's Web site. Please contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140 if you encounter any difficulty. For more information on the conference, please click here. Bush Administration Transmits Treaty to Senate. On July 7, President Bush transmitted the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent on the ratification. The Treaty was adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on November 3, 2001. Although the United States officially signed the Treaty on November 1, 2002, Senate confirmation is required before a treaty is officially ratified. The Treaty establishes a multilateral system of particular interest to ASTA and its members. Specifically, the Treaty aims to ensure food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world's plant genetic resources for the production of food and agriculture. In a letter sent to Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, ASTA Chairman Kelly Keithly and President and CEO Andy LaVigne stated that, "Multilateral agreements, such as the International Treaty, that ensure conservation and use with equitable benefits, are critical to ensure genetic resources available to plant breeders so that they, in turn, can help farmers improve their crop yields and profitability. For members of the seed industry committed to developing and marketing new and improved varieties to support U.S. agriculture and its producers, the importance of U.S. ratification of the Treaty is reinforced by the inclusion of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement. ASTA believes it essential that the U.S. Government be fully engaged as a Party to the International Treaty so that the issues of importance to the seed industry and American agriculture are effectively addressed." The Committee has not scheduled a hearing on the Treaty to date. ASTA staff will continue to provide additional information and reinforce the values of the Treaty to Members of the Committee and their staff. Should the Congress adjourn before considering the Treaty, it will be carried over in the next Congress. House Subcommittee Approves Legislation Limiting Arbitration. On July 15, the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law approved two bills that would curtail the use of arbitration clauses in contracts. ASTA continues to follow action in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives affecting the ability and scope to arbitrate. Due to time constraints before the fall elections, it is unlikely that H.R. 3010 and S. 1782 will be passed by the Congress. ASTA members routinely utilize arbitration as a means of settlement dispute. A provision for arbitration is included in the Recommended Uniform State Seed Law which serves as a model law for states. Currently, more than a dozen states include arbitration in their state seed law. House Committees Schedule Hearings on Food Safety. On July 30, the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture will conduct a public hearing to review legal and technological capacity for full traceability in fresh produce. Another hearing follows on July 31 by the House Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, entitled "The Recent Salmonella Outbreak: Lessons Learned and Consequences to Industry and Public Health." Both hearings will address the current outbreak of salmonella and the government's response. ASTA staff will attend both hearings. On a related note, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its analysis "Federal Oversight of Food Safety" on July 12. The complete report can be accessed at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08909t.pdf. Seed was not directly mentioned in the report which concluded that the Food and Drug Administration has provided few details to stakeholders on the resources and strategies needed to implement a food protection plan.
State of States Georgia and Alabama Seed Associations Hold Successful Joint Annual Meeting. On July 12-14 in St. Simons Island, Ga., a joint annual meeting brought together more than 115 attendees of the Georgia and Alabama Seed Associations. It was an opportunity to discuss the pressing issues facing the seed industries in both states. The annual meeting featured an exciting program including an update on the farm bill process by Steven Meeks, state director for Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA); a presentation on future seed industry technologies by Dan Gorman of Pioneer Hi-Bred; an update on the Georgia water situation by Doug Wilson, executive director of the Georgia Water and Planning Policy Center; and additional sessions on effective political advocacy, hazmat awareness and an outlook on the economy. In addition, the program featured updates by ASTA Membership Services Director Jason Laney and the President of the Southern Seed Association and the First the Seed Foundation Bud Hughes of Verdant Partners. ASTA congratulates outgoing presidents Doug Smith of Central Farm Supply (AL) and Wally Joiner of Farmers Seed & Feed Service (GA) and incoming presidents Jeff Ray of Oregro Seeds, Inc. (AL) and Jimmy Clements of Plantation Seed Conditioner/AgSouth Genetics (GA) for putting on a wonderful event. Australia Changes Import Requirements for Tomato Seed Regarding Potato Tuber Spindle Viroid (PTSV). Australia recently published new emergency requirements for freedom from PTSV on tomato seed because of evidence that it may be a seed transmitted disease. These emergency measures went into effect June 24 and will remain in place until Biosecurity Australia completes a risk assessment. Specifically, Australia is requiring an additional declaration (AD) be put on the phytosanitary certificate that the country in question has been surveyed and found to be free of PTSV or that parent plants producing the seed were sampled, tested and found to be free of PTSV. Both of these options are not feasible, and at a minimum, will take months to implement, disrupting trade in the meantime. A major constraint in meeting these requirements is the lack of a good diagnostic test and no approved sampling protocol for the seed. ASTA is working with the International Seed Federation (ISF) as well as USDA to persuade Australia to accept phytosanitary field inspections to the support issuance of phytosanitary certificates. Symptoms of PTSV on plants are highly visible and distinctive, and other countries, including Israel, Turkey, South Africa and Yemen, accept phytosanitary field inspections. Another option might be for the International Seed Health Initiative for Vegetables (ISHI-Veg) to develop a seedling assay in which a sample of seed from the lot in question is germinated and leaf material harvested and tested for PTSV. In the U.S., PTSV has not been detected on either potatoes or tomatoes for at least 10 years, but no systematic surveys have been undertaken to officially declare that the U.S. is free of the pathogen. ASTA Partners with CIMMYT and USAID on Project in Africa. ASTA has partnered with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on a project in Kenya to test market segmentation of seed for agricultural development in Africa. The project seeks to discover whether a market segregation strategy can be developed that allows improved maize varieties to be affordable to poor farmers, thus increasing adoption by these farmers. Additionally, the strategy would also seek to function efficiently in an environment of public interventions, such as subsidies, and prevent excessive leakage to the non-poor, a cost borne by the private sector. There are two phases to this project. The first phase recently concluded with a large stakeholders' meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 26, 2008, and included seed companies, Kenyan government officials and local non-governmental organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to determine whether or not a market segregation strategy could be developed. After consideration of the presentations made on results of research and consultations completed prior to the meeting, it was determined that it is possible to implement such a strategy. Further planning was undertaken which led to agreements by the stakeholders on the major discussion points and to the development of an action plan for Phase II of the project. Based on these discussions, Phase II will include a small scale pilot project which will be conducted in cycle with the long rains of 2009. ASTA will circulate the final report from the June meeting to the ASTA International Executive Committee in the near future seeking comments on the strategy as it moves forward. For more information, please contact Lisa Nichols. ASTA Speaks on Partnerships before Parties of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. On July 25, the 7th Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, entitled "Mobilizing Private Investment for Trade and Growth," was held at the U.S. Department of State. The focus of this year's forum was creating a business climate that will encourage private investment and help mobilize capital to finance investment. The roundtable addressed issues related to efforts to bring agricultural innovation to Africa. ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky participated and presented on importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors. She also spoke about the various activities of ASTA and the partnership ASTA has with the African Seed Trade Association. The workshop was chaired by USDA Under-Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Mark Keenum and Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius Ramakrishna Sithanen. Other panelists in the workshop represented the African Seed Trade Association and the fertilizer industry in Nigeria. The workshop provided insight into the current situation in Africa for the production and marketing of seed and fertilizer and how public-private partnerships can help support agricultural productivity in the region. AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000, as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets. ASTA Attends Annual Agricultural Attaché Seminar. The U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) held their Annual USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Attaché Seminar on July 17 in Bethesda, Md. The seminar was attended by more than 35 FAS attachés, counselors and minister counselors from 27 countries and representatives from over 75 organizations that participate in the USDA Cooperator Programs for Market Development. ASTA Vice President of Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky and Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols attended the seminar and the country team breakout sessions on China, Brazil and Vietnam. ASTA provided specific input in the China breakout session on ASTA's strategy regarding Intellectual Property Rights and Plant Variety Protection. During each country breakout session, the FAS personnel from that location (or Post) shared their individual Country Strategy Statements (CSS) which outline the Post's objectives and priorities for the year. "The seminar was a great opportunity to interact with the FAS representatives in our priority markets and to discuss ASTA's market strategies and impending program activities," said Nichols.
Collins Enters Retirement in Style. Family, friends and colleagues recognized the many achievements of Harry Collins on Friday, July 18 as they celebrated his retirement from Delta and Pine Land (D&PL), a brand owned by the Monsanto Company. Captured in moving comments from Jim Tobin of Monsanto Company were the feelings of Harry's fellow seedsmen offering a tribute to Harry and his career. Vice President of Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky and Vice President of Government Affairs Leslie Cahill attended on behalf of ASTA. Collins served as ASTA chairman for 2006-2007 as well as chairman of the Biotechnology Committee and Intellectual Property Rights Committee. He was a member of the Biotechnology Committee of CropLife America and was president and on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders. Collins joined D&PL in 1974 as a soybean breeder. In 1985, he became vice president - director of research for Deltapine Seed, where he directed domestic and international breeding programs for both cotton and soybeans. Harry was also instrumental in initial collaborative efforts with technology partners which led to the introduction of transgenic traits into Delta and Pine Land varieties of cotton and soybeans. In 1998, Collins became vice president of technology transfer at D&PL directing business related to the Technology Protection System and was responsible for other intellectual property issues. Prior to his employment with D&PL, he was involved in breeding alfalfa and annual flower species. He earned his B.S. degree in agronomy at Rutgers University, M.S. degree in plant breeding at the University of Arizona and Ph.D. degree in plant breeding and genetics at North Carolina State University. Harry will remain active in the seed industry even in retirement. In addition to his tenure on the ASTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee as a past chairman, Collins will consultant for Monsanto and continue to serve on the Plant Variety Protection Advisory Board and on the Sustainable Agriculture Committee of the International Seed Federation. ASTA and its members extend our warmest wishes and congratulations to Harry on his retirement. Prominent Corn Breeder Passes Away. Jon L. Geadelmann, 64, plant breeder, of Roseville and Merrifield, Minn., passed away suddenly on July 14, 2008. Born in Anamosa, Iowa, he spent his childhood on the family farm in Clarence, Iowa. After earning a bachelor's degree and Ph.D. in plant breeding from Iowa State University in 1966, he was a professor in the Corn Plant Breeding Program at the University of Minnesota for 15 years. Geadelmann was later employed by Holden's Foundation Seeds as plant breeder until his retirement in 2001. Jon received many academic and professional awards and honors, including the 1999 NCCPB Genetics and Plant Breeding Award for Industry. He served on numerous professional committees and publications including past chairman of ASTA's Intellectual Property Rights Committee and associate editor of Crop Science. His dedication to serving others, his integrity and his humor will be greatly missed. Jon was recognized in the seed industry as a great corn breeder, educator, mentor and colleague. Geadelmann is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynn; son, Kirk (Kelly); daughter, Tracy (Judd) Olson; grandchildren, Jack and Luke Geadelmann and Dylan, Peyton and Henry Olson; sister, Karen (Dave) Page; many other relatives and friends. ASTA and its members extend our condolences to his family. Seedsmen Share Warm Memories of Dr. Richard (Dick) Sayers. The seed industry has lost a major contributor to seed science and technology with the passing of Dr Richard (Dick) Sayers on July 4, 2008. Dick's career spanned nearly four decades of service to the seed industry. Dick grew up in Kansas and did his undergraduate and graduate work at Colorado State University. While pursuing his degrees, he worked in the National Seed Storage Laboratory. It was clearly the synergy of his formal plant physiology training and the Seed Laboratory experience that was a foundation for Dick's approach to blending seed science and technology. His leadership as research director for Asgrow resulted in several innovations that have been adopted worldwide. He was instrumental in the development of the "humidification process" for bean seed; was a pioneer in the film coating technology, leading the industry in the coating of sweet corn; and under Dick's guidance, the Asgrow seed testing programs demonstrated industry leadership, especially in vigor testing technology. Dick was very generous in sharing his time and expertise with the entire industry and worked hard to mentor new seed scientists and is fondly remembered by many seed technologists. He was tireless in serving the seed trade and ASTA in balancing the use of vigor testing. Many government laboratories wanted to label with seed vigor test scores, and Dick was there to bring caution and common sense to the regulatory side of the industry. Those of us whose careers paralleled Dick's were very fortunate to have known and worked with a truly fine man. He always took time to provide counsel and advice. Most importantly, we could always count on Dick to provide "direct and honest" evaluations of our ideas. For his honesty and directness we are eternally grateful, and we are privileged to have known him and will miss him greatly. Contributed by: Joe Burris, Denny Berkey, David Peckenpaugh and Kyle Rushing.
ASTA Member Receives 2008 Take Pride in America National Award. Charles C. Hart Seed Company was recognized by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne at the 2008 Take Pride in America National Award ceremony held July 18 in Washington, D.C. Individuals and groups from across the country were recognized for their outstanding contributions to local, state, and federal public lands. This year, there were fifteen National Award winners representing twelve states and the District of Columbia. Charles C. Hart Seed Company received the award in the Outstanding Corporation category for their donation of $700,000 worth of flower, vegetable and herb seeds to plant Take Pride in America Gardens in 2007. Their donations went to help over 1,000,000 volunteers plant Take Pride in America gardens across the country, enabling community groups to learn firsthand environmental stewardship where they live and work. "This is a remarkable group of volunteers," Secretary Kempthorne said. "These men and women have left lasting legacies of service on our public lands, and truly show the impact that a committed group of volunteers can make on the environment and lands around them." Take Pride in America is a national service initiative authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of public lands. The Annual Take Pride in America National Awards recognizes specific volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories, including youth organization, corporation, public/private partnership, individual and several others. These awards recognize efforts targeted at maintaining or enhancing public lands such as parks, rivers, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds and other recreation areas. ASTA and its members extend our congratulations to the Charles C. Hart Seed Company in this outstanding achievement.
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 |