b'Chris Reat Joins Meristem Team as SeniorThe First-Ever-On-Seed Nitrogen Hits the Business Development and Sales Leader MarketMeristem Crop Performance announced that ag indus- Pivot Bio recently launched a new class of products try veteran Chris Reat has joined their team to expandthat combines nitrogen with the seed during planting, business opportunities in Texas and across the south- making them the only on-seed application of micro-ern U.S. He will seek to further boost Meristems port- bial nitrogen available. PROVEN 40 On-Seed (OS) folio of innovative solutions into new markets. Reat hasand RETURN On-Seed are the first-ever products toAPHIS found an extensive background in sales, account responsibil- provide nitrogen-producing microbes on the seed for ity, marketing, stewardship, and team leadership. Hecrops like corn, sorghum, and spring wheat, accord- a corn variety has held positions with UPL, FMC and Monsanto. Ining to a release. The products offer farmers nitrogenand potato addition to sales responsibilities, he will seek businessthat is better for farms and the environment.development opportunities with partners throughoutvariety the region he serves. REGULATORY NEWS unlikely to Agri-Food Value Chain Partners Call for Workable Regulatory Framework for Plantspose an Resulting from NGTsTwenty-seven business associations have signed aincreased letterwhich highlights the need for a a differenti- plant ated, proportionate and workable regulatory frame-work for plants resulting from NGTs, according to thepest risk Euroseeds website. The letter also shares concernscompared regarding trade-related challenges, specifically when it comes to countries that have a different regulatoryto other approach. cultivated USDA/APHIS Issues Regulatory Status Reviewplants. Responses: Infinite Enzymes, Inc., Corn and J.R. Simplot PotatoUSDA-APHIS recently reviewed a corn and potato plant that were modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they present an increased pest risk as compared to unmodified plants. The corn plant from Infinite Enzymes, Inc. was modified to produce the enzyme manganese peroxidase in corn seed. It was also modified to make it resistant to the herbi-PRODUCT NEWS cide glufosinate. The potato plant from J.R. Simplot Hempalta Launches Hempcrete for U.S.Company was modified to make it resistant to potato Construction Market late blight and potato virus Y. It was also modified to Calgary, Alta.-based Hempalta Inc. is launching analter potato tuber sugar profile and quality. In both optimized hemp hurd for use in hempcrete formula- cases, APHIS found these plants unlikely to pose an tions for the United States residential constructionincreased plant pest risk compared to other culti-market, an Oct. 11 news release said. At Hempaltasvated corn and potato plants. As a result, they are not Calgary production facility they use advanced tech- subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. From a nology to produce hemp-based products. Theplant pest risk perspective, these plants may be safely release noted hemp is regarded as one of the worldsgrown and used in breeding in the United States. SWmost sustainable crops as it is renewable, reusable and recyclable.90/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2023'