b'Research Facilities Act and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Rainey says. When you think of agri-cultural research facilities, I think about how were being asked to do 21st century science in facilities constructed in the 50s and 60s. When we think of land grants as being critical to us for agricultural produc-tivity, there needs to be some investment in facilities for attracting diverse, modern workforces.I also emphasized the need to align policies across federal agencies to allow innovations in the seed industry to come to market and benefit consumers, Rainey says. Those innovations happen in the public sector as wellmany of my colleagues are doing gene editing for a range of traits, and we worry about anything coming to market due to policy restrictions.From here, farm bill discussions really fall into the realm of needing continuous Dr. Katy Martin Rainey reviews plot planting plans with undergraduate student Isabeleducation and advocacy endeavors to find Gordon at the Purdue University ACRE Farm in West Lafayette, IN. wins for the seed sector. And, no matter what happens, theres crops, cropping systems, diversificationRainey adds, noting that there are still aone thing Brady tells all public and private Breeding programs can address all of this,lot of crops where seed originate in thesector workers to keep in mind: some-including the genomic and phenomics Ipublic sector. things going to change. work in. These are just some of the needsWheat has been a historically majorWe dont know whats going to be we have the latitude to address if thecrop bred in the public sector. Even inin the final bill as they negotiate funding funding is there to support the work. soybean, almost every land grant uni- levels, as they negotiate different pro-On the flip side, private companiesversity has a public breeding programgrams, Brady says. ASTA is certainly are in a tight race for genetic gainits aaddressing things like niche markets orgoing to try and stay engaged and aware function of resource allocation. providing germplasm with diverse pedi- so we can help prepare our members and What that means is they dont neces- grees to the private sector, Rainey says,our companies for the impacts there will sarily have the bandwidth to try manyadding that in her testimony, she usedbe, but the most important thing to know new things, she says.an example that every piece of lettuceis you will be impacted in some way or In her own experience, Rainey usesyou eat has USDA genetics in it. Thereanother.high-resolution drone imagery to discoverare many examples of public breedingFor those concerned, Rainey rec-new traits that can predict yield potential,programs being the only source of newommends getting involved and using which could change how soybeans aregermplasm in specialty crops. your voiceit doesnt necessarily have bred using drones.to be in the same capacity as sharing Meanwhile, the private sector hasMoving on to the Future a testimony in front of the Senate Ag focused on replacing human visual obser- As we move onto the future and intoCommittee, but getting involved with vations with image-derived metrics frommore farm bill discussions, theres still aASTA or other organizations and coali-dronescalled trait replacementtolot to considerbut Rainey knows onetions helps to coordinate a nationalmaximize efficiency. thing: if you dont make the request formessage.Thats an example of how the publicmore funding, its going to be given toThat national message is key to get-sector has the ability to explore newsomeone else who asks. ting the federal government to address things and do high-risk research thatIn my testimony, I highlighted theour needs and priorities among the many might fail, Rainey says.need to fund the Agriculture Advancedcompeting interests out there, she says. Then, when you consider agriculture inResearch and Development AuthorityIf were not asking for the money and the general, public sector breeding programs(AGARDA), the Agriculture and Foodpolicies to address our needs, then some-provide alternative choices to farmers,Research Initiative (AFRI), the Agriculturalone else will. SW20/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023'