b'Breeder Direct Launches Two New Corn Hybrid SeriesBreeder Direct has launched two new series of corn hybrids. The Contend Series of hybrids is designed to offer consistent performance in challenging environments, while the Command Series of hybrids is an elite line intended for better growing conditions. Since its inception, Breeder Direct has focused on accessing and evaluating products with the goal of enabling every acre to be profitable. The effort has yielded a portfolio of germplasm options from nearly 20 originators world-wide. The Command and Contend Series of corn hybrids stem from this product pool.DLF Acquires Corteva Agrisciences Alfalfa Breeding ProgramDLF announced the acquisition of the Corteva AgriscienceTikTok May Help Farmers Cultivate Empathy Around alfalfa breeding program effective Sept. 1. This recent acquisi- Climate Changetion includes Cortevas global alfalfa germplasm and breed- Farmers are used to growing crops and producing other goods, ing program, the Alforex Seeds brand name and trademarksbut a new study led by Penn State researchers suggests the including Hi-Gest alfalfa technology, Hi-Ton performance alfalfa,social media platform TikTok may help them cultivate some-Hi-Salt salinity tolerant alfalfa, and msSuntra hybrid technology,thing new: empathy around the issue of climate change. The current commercial alfalfa varieties and select Corteva person- team, who analyzed responses to climate change TikToks nel supporting the alfalfa program, said the release. posted by farmers, found that many people responded to the videos with warmth and compassion, signaling emotional empa-thy. However, the researchers also found that the videos were not as successful at triggering cognitive empathy in viewers. In this case, the cognitive empathy manifested as comments in Restoring the Nativewhich viewers go beyond compassion and engage in thinking critically about the content by adding their own thoughts or Landscape asking further questions.NordGen Granted Million-Dollar Project to Increase Knowledge About Plant-Based Protein SourcesIn a new project, financed by Novo Nordisk Foundation, NordGen and Aarhus University will map the Nordic seed col-lection of protein crops. The project will lead to a substantial lift for the genebank collection and will lead to researchers and plant breeders getting access to brand new information about NordGens seedsinformation which is vital for developing future plant-based protein sources. Plant genetic resources are crucial for agriculture and NordGen is responsible for some of these resources by safeguarding approximately 33,000 seed samples from important cropsthe Nordic seed collection.$7.3M Grant To Expand Wheat Pathogen SurveillanceOne of the worlds largest crop pathogen surveillance systems is set to expand its capacity to protect wheat productivity in food vulnerable areas of East Africa and South Asia. The Wheat Disease Early Warning Advisory System (Wheat DEWAS)https://ernstseed.co/adSW which expands an existing monitoring systemwas funded through a $7.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Kingdoms Foreign, Commonwealth 800-873-3321 & Development Office to enhance crop resilience to wheat dis-sales@ernstseed.com eases. SW124/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'