Inside This Issue: 



• Iowa Seed Association Annual Meeting Highlights
• 2025 Summary for the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative
• Register for the 2026 Iowa Seed Golf Tournament
• Attend ASTA's 2026 Leadership Summit
• Upcoming Iowa Seed Association Events
• Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The Iowa Seed Association’s 123rd annual meeting was held on February 11th at the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference in Altoona. Highlights include the election of new board members and officers, an update on the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative, a panel discussion with scholarship winners, and a presentation from the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).

James Cornelius became the 99th president, and we thank Bert Strayer for his service as president over the past year. Strayer presented the 2026 Honorary Award to his late father Dennis Strayer, the 77th recipient dating back to 1949. Sixteen scholarships were awarded.

The proposed slate of directors and officers was approved:

2025 Slate of Directors

Officers

President: Bert Strayer

1st VP: James Cornelius

2nd VP: Curt Rodgers

Past President: Jeff Steinbeck

Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Gleason

Directors

Dr, Steven Harris, ISU Seed Science

Ryan Budnik, Iowa Cover Crop

Ann K. Clinton, Stine, (2026)

Juan Acuna, Corteva (2027)

Daryl Dietrich, Syngenta (2027)

Brett Hodnefield, Champion (2027)

Katie Lahr, Bayer (2024)

Jason Kolln, Kolln Ag Services (2025)

Justin Probst, Beck's (2025

2026 Slate



James Cornelius, Cornelius Seed

Curt Rodgers, Wyffels

Brett Hodnefield, Champion

Bert Strayer, La Crosse/Ever.Ag

Ben Gleason

Dr. Scott Heuchelin, ISU Seed Science

Ryan Budnik, Iowa Crop Improvement

Ann K. Clinton, Stine, (2026)

Juan Acuna, Corteva (2027)

Daryl Dietrich, Syngenta (2027)

Katie Lahr, Becks (2027)

Ivan Harken, Remington (2028)

Nick Hovey, Gro Alliance (2028)

In 2025, the Iowa Seed Association’s Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative delivered another strong year of participation and measurable conservation impacts. A total of 29,492 acres were enrolled, resulting in $502,410 in cost-share support distributed to participating producers. These investments continued to drive adoption of cover crops across Iowa’s agricultural landscape while supporting producers in implementing conservation practices that improve soil health and long-term productivity.

From an environmental impact perspective, the program documented 103 implemented practices that collectively contributed to an estimated 88,475 tons of soil saved through the establishment of cover crops. This level of soil retention underscores the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing erosion risk and improving field resilience. Notably, 85% of seeded acres utilized winter-hardy cover crop species, reflecting strong alignment with overwinter soil protection goals and improving establishment success in challenging seasonal conditions.

Participation metrics also demonstrate continued growth and diversification among producers and industry partners. The initiative welcomed five first-time cover crop users in 2025, indicating ongoing expansion into new adopters. Additionally, seven seed companies actively participated in the program, helping to strengthen supply chain engagement and technical support for growers.

Program outcomes also highlight sustained on-farm integration beyond enrolled acres, with 54% reporting the use of cover crops on additional acres within their operations. This indicates strong producer confidence in the practice and suggests meaningful spillover adoption beyond cost-shared fields. Overall, 2025 results reflect steady program growth, strong environmental benefits, and increasing long-term adoption momentum across participating farms through the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative.

Seed companies are encouraged to help their seed corn growers enroll in the program. The sign-up form and other resources are available at Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative | Grower Resources. For more information, email Erica Lydolph, project coordinator, at covercrops@agribiz.org.

The Iowa Seed Association’s annual golf tournament will be June 17th at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. The education program begins at 10 am featuring Chad Hart, ISU Professor of Economics, and Erica Lydolph, project coordinator for the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative. Lunch begins at 11 am, and golf starts at noon. The cost is $95 per golfer and includes the education program, lunch, green fees for 18 holes, shared golf cart, and drink tickets. Net proceeds go to the Iowa Seed Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to our beverage cart sponsor, GreenLeaf Genetics!

Register online: 2026 Iowa Seed Association Golf Tournament & Education.

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is taking their 2026 Leadership Summit to Milwaukee this summer! Join the seed industry's seasoned veterans, as well as our rising stars June 9-11, 2026, at The Westin Milwaukee. ASTA’s 2026 Leadership Summit will be a valuable opportunity to:

• Strengthen leadership skills tailored to current and emerging leaders in the seed industry
• Hear from policymakers and industry leaders on the issues shaping the seed sector, with a special focus on state policy
• Be a part of the process as we set strategic priorities for the year ahead 



For more information about the meeting, or to register, visit www.betterseed.org/LS26. Questions about the meeting can be directed to Jordan Gregory, ASTA's Director, State Government Affairs, at jgregory@betterseed.org.

Platinum

Gold

Silver