Bayer CropScience announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its application for the registration of ILeVO®, the only seed treatment that protects the root system against infections caused by the Sudden Death Syndrome fungus and has activity against dangerous nematodes in the seed zone. Business to business strategy manager of seed growth, John Carlson says, “This is … Read More
ASTA Looking Forward to Happy New Year
The chairman and first vice chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) are pleased with this year’s turnout at CSS 2014 and Seed Expo and with the direction of the organization. ASTA chair John Schoenecker with HM. Clause of California says the program is exceptionally good this year. “Everything from bee health to cover crops, the international treaty for … Read More
New ASTA Consumer Research on Seed Attitudes
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) today unveiled results of new research that shows consumers have a lack of knowledge and appreciation for the importance of seeds and seed improvement, until they are presented with specific examples of the environmental, economic and health benefits of seed. ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne briefed members of the media during the CSS … Read More
Simplot CEO Appreciates ASTA Mentoring
The opening session of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo was highlighted by keynote speaker J.R. Simplot president and CEO Bill Whitacre. Since inventing the first viable frozen french fry the J.R. Simplot Company, has become one of North America’s largest, privately held food and agribusiness companies, with over $4.5 billion in annual sales. Simplot has … Read More
ASTA CSS 2014 and Seed Expo Underway
The American Seed Trade Association CSS 2014 and Seed Expo kicked off Tuesday in Chicago and possibly may be a record crowd this year. “We have a great participation this year,” said ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Beginning of this week, we had over 2700 registrants and that’s almost 100 more than we finished with last year and we … Read More
ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Returns to Chicago
I had a chance to catch up with American Seed Trade Association president and CEO Andy LaVigne at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention last week and talk about the upcoming CSS 2014 & Seed Expo coming up just around the corner. The event, being held December 8-12 in Chicago, is America’s largest seed industry conference. Over 2,600 attendees … Read More
American Seed Trade Officer at NAFB
The first vice chair of American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was in Kansas City last week for a meeting of the Western Seed Association immediately before the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. “It’s the only organization that’s been meeting here longer than NAFB,” said Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who stuck around for another day to do some interviews … Read More
Seed Trade Expo to Focus on Cutting-Edge Issues
This year’s American Seed Trade Association’s CSS 2014 & Seed Expo has been redesigned to focus on the most relevant and cutting-edge issues facing the seed industry. Organizers are inviting potential attendees to take a look at the schedule and see the topics for the Dec. 8-12 event in Chicago, Illinois, the largest seed industry conference in the country. Keynote … Read More
Ag Groups Urge EU to Approve Biotech Events
Nearly 20 agricultural organizations signed on to letters sent this week to the European Commission and the U.S. Trade Representative urging that the European Union (EU) take action in September on nine biotech events that have received positive safety reviews and are awaiting final import authorization. There are currently nine products, including four soybean products, which have already received positive … Read More
Grassland Oregon Releases FIXatioN Balansa Clover
Grassland Oregon has released a “next generation cover crop” specially designed to be winter-hardy and set up to 100 units of nitrogen per acre. Grassland Oregon co-founder Jerry Hall says they created FIXatioN to address a number of farmers’ concerns “and the result is a cover crop that outperforms all other clovers in hardiness, biomass and most importantly, nutrient fixing … Read More