Uncertainty is the constant in the seed sector right now, but leadership, advocacy, and innovation will define what comes next. In this rapid-fire leadership conversation, American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) board chair Dave Treinen and ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne share their perspectives on the forces shaping the U.S. seed sector as the industry looks toward 2026.
Through a lightning-round format, Treinen and LaVigne discuss the behind-the-scenes conversations dominating the sector, from trade policy and global market access to profitability, technology, and regulatory uncertainty. They explain what signals they are watching most closely, where companies should focus their leadership today, and why long-term innovation timelines make policy stability especially critical for seeds.
The Big Issues No One Can Ignore: Trade, Technology, and Trust
When asked what conversations matter most right now, the answers came quickly: trade policy, global market access, and the ability to bring new technology to market.
LaVigne and Treinen point to mounting uncertainty around profitability, regulatory direction, and international trade relationships. At the same time, both emphasize that technology adoption and innovation remain key signals to watch, especially how governments respond to new products and scientific advances.
The takeaway is blunt: uncertainty isn’t going away, and companies that fail to track these signals risk falling behind.
What Seed Companies Should Be Doing Right Now
One theme comes up repeatedly in the discussion: engagement.
Both leaders stress that companies need to stay close to their customers, understand the challenges farmers are facing today, and make time to look beyond the immediate horizon. Advocacy cannot be left to associations alone: it has to be reinforced locally, consistently, and with real-world stories.
That includes:
- Talking directly with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels
- Helping policymakers understand what’s happening “under the hood” in agriculture
- Investing time in education and grassroots engagement across the sector
ASTA’s Focus for 2026: Strategy, Advocacy, and Member Value
Looking ahead, LaVigne outlines several changes coming for ASTA in 2026, including a renewed focus on strategic planning. That plan is designed to sharpen policy priorities, invite broader member input, and clearly communicate ASTA’s value proposition.
Treinen adds that this work will help the organization speak more loudly and clearly, not just to existing members, but to potential members who need to be part of the conversation.
There are also signals of change on the events front, with ASTA considering a return of the Field Crop Seed Convention to the Midwest to better serve its member base.
Why Optimism Still Wins in the Seed Sector
Despite all the upheaval, both leaders end on a note of confidence.
Agriculture, they argue, has always adapted. Innovation continues. Problems get solved. Value gets created for farmers, even in the most unpredictable environments. That resilience, creativity, and determination are what give ASTA leadership confidence heading into 2026.
For anyone involved in seeds, agriculture, or ag policy, this leadership snapshot offers clear insight into where the sector is headed, and how ASTA’s leaders are preparing for what comes next.
