Hours of research in a lab mean next to nothing if a researcher doesn’t know what happens to seeds in the field. Up till now scientists have checked crops the same way it’s been done for centuries- by walking through the rows. But not any longer. Now researchers have created the Phenocart, a portable collection of sensors scientists can push through the … Read More
Farmer Board Advises on Data Management
The Agricultural Data Coalition (ADC) is adding a ten person farmer advisory board to help the organization as it develops a data management reponsitory. “The full potential of our agricultural data is not currently being realized because of management, storage, portability and delivery challenges,” said Joe Luck, Assistant Professor and Precision Agriculture Engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a founding … Read More
#ASTAannaul Benefits from OFS’s 35 Years of Advocating
Today’s news might make you believe the fight against agriculture technology is a modern issue, but Katie Fast of Oregonians for Food and Shelter told an audience at the American Seed Trade Association annual meeting, her organization has been dealing with consumer misinformation since 1980. This grassroots network of farmers and foresters began focusing on the responsible use of resources, crop protection … Read More
ASTA-OSA Annual Meeting Is a Winner
The leadership of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Oregon Seed Association (OSA) were all smiles at the Gala Banquet concluding the trailblazing joint annual meeting of the two organizations this week in Portland, Oregon. “This worked out wonderfully,” said OSA president Greg Loberg of West Coast Beet Seed. “We wanted to enhance the partnerships between members of … Read More
New Leadership Elected at #ASTAannual
LtoR: ASTA officers Jerry Flint, DuPont Pioneer; Tracy Tally, Justin Seeds; Mark Herrmann, AgReliant Genetics Among all the seminars and committee meetings of the American Seed Trade Association’s annual meeting one of the most important items of business was the election of the officer team for the coming year. They are: • Chair: Mark Herrmann, AgReliant Genetics • First Vice … Read More
USDA Announces Measures for Pollinator Health
What better time than during National Pollinator Week for the USDA to announce two new initiatives to support the President’s National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honeybees and Other Pollinators. To date the most popular conservation program has resulted in at least 15 million acres of healthy habitat for pollinators. The USDA is also beginning a new partnership with … Read More
Food Security Highlighted at #ASTAannual
For most of us, a lack of food security isn’t so much a problem as it is a distant possibility. For many on the African continent, however, food security is still an awaited hope. John Mukuka attended the American Seed Trade Association event from Africa to share the important message of what is being done to replace hope with reality. Mukuka works … Read More
#ASTAannual Addresses Food Security
For most of us, a lack of food security isn’t so much a problem as it is a distant possibility. For many on the African continent, however, food security is still an awaited hope. John Mukuka attended the American Seed Trade Association event from Africa to share the important message of what is being done to replace hope with reality. Mukuka works … Read More
Withers Leads #ASTAannual International Committee
Karen Withers will be taking the reins for American Seed Trade Association’s International Executive Committee for the coming year. Withers works for Pennington Seed handling their international sales, so she’s well versed in trials and tribulations that come with work on the international level. She’s also had two years serving the committee as vice chair, joining the year before that as … Read More
#ASTAannual Members Honored
When it comes to volunteering and service there are some people who just seem to stand out. Here at the American Seed Trade Association annual meeting the board took the opportunity to honor a few of those people and thank them for the contributions they’ve made to the industry. Mike Gumina was recognized with the ASTA Lifetime Honorary Member Award. Gumina … Read More