Seed E-News 
May 5, 2017
Don't Miss the Premier Policy Meeting of the Seed Industry!    

Are you registered for ASTA's 134th Annual Convention, June 21-24 in Minneapolis ? Early registration closes May 26! Don't miss this opportunity to participate in the U.S. seed industry's premier policy meeting which brings together leaders and experts to discuss issues affecting the industry and determine the association's priorities for the upcoming year. 
 
This year's meeting is specifically scheduled to allow people to make participation at whatever level their schedule allows - whether it's making  a quick trip in and out to participate in policy sessions only, or staying for the full duration of the meeting to network, go on educational tours and attend the conference banquet.
 
Click here for more information, and register today! 
In This Issue
State
Seed, Rule-Making Amendment Fails in Indiana 

Indiana House Bill 1235 was originally written as a change to the manure-based fertilizer law.  However, an amendment introduced in the Senate would have given the Indiana State Chemist emergency rule-making power to create rules that last up to one year, and would have added a number of new plants to the noxious weed seed list.
 
Due to industry concerns over the move to grant new emergency rule-making authority, the amendment was ultimately pulled from the floor, and the final bill passed with the manure language only. The Indiana State Seed Office is expected to process a rule with similar language through the state's general regulation process; however, we don't expect to see a final rule until next year.
Federal
Ag Groups Showcase Innovation, Sustainability at Planter Demo Day

On April 26, ASTA, along with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), hosted more than three dozen officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs for a field day of demonstrations on seed treatments, planting practices, and equipment innovations.

The event took place on the working farm of NCGA Chairman Chip Bowling in Newburg, Maryland and offered an opportunity for producers and manufacturers to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies in each respective industry, and how these innovations have made modern agriculture more efficient and sustainable than ever.

"As an industry, we are committed to the goal of developing better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life," said ASTA President & CEO Andrew W. LaVigne. "Today's event was a tremendous opportunity to showcase the critical role of innovation and stewardship in every step of bringing quality, safe, and nutritious products to market."
Organic Seed Proposal Sent Back to Subcommittee for Revisions 

During its meeting on April 21, the National Organic Standards Board unanimously voted to send the organic seed USAGE proposal back to the subcommittee for more work. Members of the Board indicated they wanted additional comments on the proposal which offers guidelines on strengthening and clarifying the requirements for use of organic seed in certified organic agriculture. Prior to the meeting, ASTA had submitted comments requesting the proposal be sent back to the subcommittee for additional clarification.
International


Register for the Seed Congress of the Americas, Sept. 5-7 in Colombia

Registration is now open for the 6th Seed Congress of the Americas, hosted by the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) and the Colombian Seed and Biotechnology Association (ACOSEMILLAS), September 5-7 in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia).
 
Sessions will address a number of key topics, including intellectual property, biotechnology, phytosanitary, and seed treatment. The Trading Floor will offer a prime place to meet with colleagues and do business.
 
Visit the website for more information and to register. 
ASTA delegates Andy LaVigne_ Tim Johnson_ Marc Cool and Qi Ren Chu meet with representatives of the Chinese National Seed Association.

ASTA Delegation Visits China

ASTA sent its annual spring delegation to Beijing April 17-22. The delegates met with  representatives from the Chinese National Seed Association (CNSA), Chinese National Seed Trade Association, U.S. embassy, Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and U.S.-China Agriculture and Food Partnership. Discussions focused on seed certification, the ASTA/CNSA corn pilot project and proposed changes to China's Plant Variety Protection Act. For more information, contact Michelle Klieger.
Meetings & Education
ASTA, NAPB, Tri-Societies Announce "Better Seed, Better Life" Student Video Contest 

Please share with your student contacts!
 
Graduate and undergraduate students focusing on plant-science disciplines are invited to participate in a new video contest sponsored by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB), and the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America (Tri-Societies).
 
The purpose of the contest is to bring plant breeding innovation, and the many sectors of the plants sciences that play a role in the plant breeding arena, to life through the next generation of plant scientists. Videos will be judged by an expert panel, and cash prizes will be awarded for winners.
 
Video submissions are due August 31, 2017. For more information, including video specifications and submission requirements, visit our website.
 
Contact Bethany Shively with questions.

Other News
Honoring the Lives of Two Seed Industry Greats

John Gale
8/8/1934 - 4/23/2017
 
John Gale of Stokes Seeds passed away peacefully Sunday April 23, 2017. John was the fourth generation owner of Stokes Seeds, a company that traces its roots back to 1881. He was Past President of All-America Selections, a vegetable judge for many years, and recipient of the All-America Selections Medallion of Honor in 1997. A true vegetable and flower seedsman, his knowledge of varieties was legendary, and he had a critical eye for great new products.
 
Stokes Seeds remains in the Gale family for a fifth generation of family ownership. 
Lloyd Seekamp
6/7/1931 - 4/27/2017
 
Lloyd Seekamp, 85, of Greeley, Colorado passed away with his family by his side on April 27, 2017. The eldest of 14 children, he was born on his family dairy farm near Norwalk, Wisconsin on June 7, 1931 to Ogden Carl and Marie (Stender) Seekamp.
 
Lloyd was a proud member of the U.S. Marines from 1951 to 1958, serving his country in Japan and Beirut , Lebanon. He started multiple seed businesses including Seekamp Seed Company which he eventually sold in 1999. Lloyd retired in 2015, after 50 plus years in the seed industry.
 
Lloyd is survived by his wife of 60 years, Zola Ann Estep; children, Rusty (Dee) Seekamp, and Kathy (Tim) Petersen; grandchildren, Jeremy, Trevar and Katie Ann Petersen; eight siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent to  www.ncccremation.com .
Jayson Lusk, OSU, recognized as 2017 Borlaug CAST Communicator of the Year 

Congratulations to Jayson Lusk, recipient of the 2017 Borlaug Council for Agricultural Science & Technology (CAST) Communication Award.  
 
CAST calls Lusk "a consummate communicator who promotes agricultural science and technology in the public arena." He uses multiple forms of media to advocate for science, as he explains how innovation and growth in agriculture are critical for food security and global progress.
 
Currently a Regents professor and Willard Sparks endowed chair with the department of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, in July he will become the head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University.