The National Corn Growers Association recently joined with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Seed Trade Association to host officials from EPA and USDA for demonstrations on planting practices, seed treatments, and equipment innovations in an effort to help them understand modern farming. The event took place on the working farm of NCGA Chairman Chip Bowling in … Read More
ASTA Sets Sail in June
With the theme “Voyage of Better Seed,” the 2017 American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Annual Convention June 21-24 in Minneapolis will focus on science and policy issues related to the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide. ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne says a number of special sessions and tours are planned for the week, including an Opening … Read More
Indigo Presents Innovative Platform for Ag
Indigo focuses on using nature to sustainably feed the plant, which is why they’ve collaborated with 25 growers and experts to test a microbial seed treatment on more than 15,000 acres in 2017. The project, named Indigo Partners, will provide data and insights to help Indigo bring new products to market. “Using bioinformatics and data analytics, we are creating a … Read More
ASTA Weighs in on New Phytosanitary Measures
Last week the seed industry announced good news in the form of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM), a world wide attempt to put seed regulations on the same page. Ric Dunkle, Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was at the International Plant Protection Convention in Korea when the standards were … Read More
ASTA Commends New Seed Standard
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) passed a final International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for seed last week. This is a long awaited decision, says the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), one that has become necessary as import requirements for seed have become more restrictive and less science based. “The seed industry is truly global,” said ASTA President & … Read More
ASTA Offers Stewardship Steps for Treated Seed
The American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) is reminding farmers to follow five basic steps to practice good stewardship of treated seed. Follow Directions: Follow directions on treated seed container labels for handling, storage, planting and disposal practices. Eliminate Flowering Weeds: Eliminate flowering plants and weeds in and around the field prior to planting. Minimize Dust: Use advanced seed flow lubricants that … Read More
2017 Syngenta Crop Challenge Winner Announced
A team from the BioSense Institute in Serbia has been selected as this year’s first-place winner of the Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics. Their winning entry provided a model that predicts the seed varieties growers in a specific region were likely to select. Oskar Marko, Sanja Brdar, Marko Panić, Isidora Šašić, Milivoje Knežević, Danica Despotović, Vladmir Crnojević and Zorana Djindjica … Read More
Sorghum Partners Powered by Chromatin
Sorghum is gaining in popularity thanks to new and improved hybrids being developed by Chromatin, your Sorghum Partners. We had the opportunity to chat with Chromatin Vice President for Research & Development Scott Staggenborg at Commodity Classic last week to find out what is new with sorghum and how the crop is being grown in new areas from a company … Read More
Poncho/VOTiVO Gives Great Odds
If you could go to Vegas with 80 percent favorable odds, would you take it? asks Greg Ginisty, Bayer product manager. That’s what Poncho/VOTiVO has provided growers – a consistent product with a consistent return on investment, and really great odds. Poncho/VOTiVo has been game-changing in terms of insect control since 2010 when it was first launched and it remains … Read More
Bayer/Monsanto Talk About the Future from #Classic17
Adrian Percy, head of research and development at Bayer CropScience, and Robb Fraley, Monsanto chief technology officer held an informal press conferene at Commodity Classic to discuss the proposed nuptials of their companies. Both Percy and Fraley spoke highly of Monsanto’s seeds and traits and Bayer’s chemistry, but took pains to point out how much better they will be when … Read More