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Annual Farm & Lawn Seed Conference Open to All Western Seed Conference Attendees
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 Those attending the upcoming Western Seed Conference in Kansas City are invited to also attend ASTA’s annual Farm & Lawn Seed Conference on November 3-4.
“I urge all participants in the Western meeting to attend,” said Risa DeMasi, ASTA Second Vice Chair and partner at Grassland Oregon. “By being part of these important meetings, you help guide ASTA’s policies and activities which can have a profound impact on your business and our industry as a whole.”
This year, the agenda has been modified to accommodate participants’ busy schedules. On Sunday, November 3rd from 1:30 to 5:45 pm, ASTA’s Lawn & Farm Seed Divisions, Invasive Species Working Group and Environmental & Conservation Seed Committee will meet to discuss current and emerging issues. The latter will include a focused presentation on the growing interest in expanding the use of cover crops by government policies, environmental organizations and farmers.
On Monday, November 4th from 7:15 – 8:30 am, topics directly affecting farm and lawn seed businesses will be discussed at the Seed Industry Issues Summit and Breakfast. This will be followed by information sessions on seed testing, strategies for selling your business, the latest on treatment and coatings for the grass seed industry and industry production reports. The conference will conclude at 11:45 am.
The events on Sunday and Monday are open to all WSA registrants at no additional charge thanks to the support of our sponsors/exhibitors: Aquatrols, Central Bag Company, Indiana Crop Improvement Association, SGS North America, Taylor Products, Truax Company, Inc.
To attend the breakfast, RSVP to Pat Miller at pmiller@amseed.org before Friday, November 1st.
To access the complete Conference schedule, please click here.
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Seed World Magazine to Produce Special CSS Edition of Marketing Tool Kit
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 More than 2,000 buyers and 8,000 readers will receive this annual special edition of Seed World Magazine, which will be distributed to all attendees of the CSS & Seed Expo 2013 in Chicago this December. Advertisers can reach these targeted markets – whether or not they’re exhibiting at CSS – through two different programs aimed at generating leads and sales.
The exhibitor and non-exhibitor offers ends October 31, 2013.
For more info call TOLL FREE 1-877-710-3222 EXT. #SALES or email us at: marketing@issuesink.com.
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Farm Bill Coalition Letter sent to House & Senate Farm Bill Conferees
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The 41 House and Senate farm bill conferees will have their first public meeting today, October 30th, to outline their priorities within the Senate-passed five-year comprehensive farm bill and the House package of a five-year bill tied to a three-year nutrition title bill.
American Seed Trade Association was one of 250 organizations that signed a letter urging the conferees to complete the farm bill as soon as possible. The letter supports moving forward on a unified farm bill that continues the “marriage” between the nutrition and farm communities and preserves a five-year authorization for all programs. The letter emphasizes, “…if the 2013 farm bill’s Title I is made permanent, other important farm and rural programs covered in other titles would risk not being reauthorized if the bill expires after five years.” Programs within these other titles including research, horticulture, conservation, and trade are important to the seed industry.
One of the largest challenges for conferees will be the difference between the House bill’s proposed cut of nearly $40 billion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Senate’s proposed approximately $4 billion reduction. There are also still significant differences between each chamber’s version of the commodity title, dairy provisions and the potential for new restrictions on crop insurance.
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What’s New at CSS & Seed Expo 2013?
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First Dedicated Session on Wheat – Sharing a spot on the agenda at CSS this year will be a special session dedicated to hybrid and biotech wheat issues. Karolyn Terpstra of Syngenta will moderate this first-time session, which will feature UNL professor and author of over 200 publications on agronomy and horticulture Stephen Baenziger; biotech wheat expert Claire Cajacob from Monsanto and hybrid wheat expert Rollin Sears from Syngenta.
New Technology and Machinery for All Seed Producers and Growers – The country’s largest gathering of suppliers for the seed industry – Seed Expo 2013 – offers the best opportunity for seed growers of all crops to learn about and see demonstrations of new products. The floor has been expanded to accommodate over 150 cutting-edge companies who will be exhibiting at the Seed Expo this year.
Complimentary Registration for Grad Students – The CSS & Seed Expo registration is free for any university student, and for those grad students in corn, sorghum and soybean breeding programs, there is an opportunity to actually MAKE money at the conference! All students are encouraged to submit posters and abstracts summarizing their thesis — the winners will receive from $100-$300. Click here to apply for the contest and/or a complimentary pass to the CSS.
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Pioneers in Biotech Honored by World Food Prize Foundation
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In keeping with the theme of this year’s World Food Prize, “The Next Borlaug Century: Biotechnology, Sustainability and Climate Volatility,” the World Food Prize Foundation recognized three pioneers of modern agricultural biotechnology, Marc Van Montagu, Mary-Dell Chilton and Robert Fraley as the 2013 Laureates.
The Foundation cited its unwavering support of science and its application to agriculture, and affirmed the determinations made around the world by prominent scientists and organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, that biotechnology is a safe and critical tool of modern agriculture.
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ASTA Seeking Intern for Spring 2014
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Do you know an enterprising college junior or senior who would like to live and work near the nation’s capital this spring? ASTA is seeking such a student for a paid internship from January-June 2014. He or she will work closely with our domestic and international legislative and regulatory staff, learning about the seed industry and helping to ensure that our interests are properly represented at the policy development table. At the conclusion of the valuable experience, the intern will have gained leadership, collaboration and project management experience; have attended important industry events and meetings; and have learned the inner workings of associations and the Washington political environment.
Potential candidates should have a background in agricultural sciences, economics, marketing or communications; strong verbal and written communications skills; and proficiency in MS Office, PHP, SQL, HTML, CSS, and ASP.NET. He or she should possess good organizational skills and a high level of self-motivation, and be able multi-task in a fast-paced environment and resolve problems efficiently.
If someone you know fits this description, tell him or her to send a resume and brief cover letter to Ann Jorss, ASTA Vice President of Finance & Administration, at ajorss@amseed.org with the subject “Internship Application.”
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In Memoriam
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Hank Bradley
Henry (Hank) Bradley, 88, passed away earlier this month in Joplin, MO. An Army Veteran of World War II, Hank began his career in the seed industry, first in Omaha, Nebraska, and then in various cities and towns in Texas and in Missouri. He was a well-respected member of the seed community and former President and Life Member of the Missouri Seedmen’s Association. Condolences may be sent to the Bradley family (Tim, Bob and Pat) at 2121 Abby Lane, Joplin, MO 64804.
Robb Sexauer
Robb Bradford Sexauer, 59, passed away earlier this month in Sioux Falls, SD. Robb worked for the Sexauer Company, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1984 to 1991 and as President from 1991 to 1997, when the company was sold. He later used his knowledge and expertise in the grain industry during his tenure at World Wide Wheat, LLC.
Robb was active in trade and industry organizations, serving as President of the South Dakota Seed Trade Association, Northern Seed Trade Association and Soybean Research Foundation, as well as serving on numerous boards with the Field Seed Association and American Seed Trade Association.
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Seeding Success
It’s your membership and financial support that allows ASTA to do this work and get you the information you need. Please encourage other seed industry colleagues to join ASTA and contribute to the success of the industry.
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American Seed Trade Association
1701 Duke Street, Suite 275
Alexandria, VA 22314
(p) 703.837.8140 │ (f) 703.837.9365
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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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