b'I N D U S T R Y N E W S Delivering the news you need to know. Submissions welcomeemail us at news@seedworldgroup.com. USDA Introduces Geospatial Data Product to Show Crop Rotation PatternsThe USDA unveiled a geospatial product called Crop Sequence Boundaries (CSB) that offers public access to national-scale visual crop rotation data for the first time. CSB is a cutting-edge map of agricultural fields that provides crop acreage estimates and historical planting decisions across the contiguous U.S. The open-source product uses satellite imagery and other public data to allow users to analyze planted U.S. commodities.Majority of United States Cropland Uses GM SeedA new report from the USDA shows that about 55% of the total The USDA announced it is removing Soybeansharvested cropland in the U.S. is grown with varieties having at of Other Colors as an official grade-determiningleast one GM trait. The USDA notes that GM varieties of corn, factor under the U.S. Standards for Soybeans.soybeans, and cotton were introduced to the United States in USDA established the soybean standards under the1996. Within just a few years, GM varieties became the choice U.S. Grain Standard Standards Act to help marketseed for farmers.soybeans and historically included SoybeansUniversity of Maryland Researchers Sequence Genome of Other Colors (SBOC) as a grading factor forof Worlds First Farmed Cropdetermining soybean quality. This change took effectAn international team of researchers led by University of September 1, 2023. SBOC will remain available forMaryland scientists has sequenced the complete genome for informational purposes only upon request. einkorn wheatthe worlds first domesticated cropand traced its evolutionary history, a breakthrough that will help identify genetic traits like tolerance to diseases, drought and heat, and reintroduce those traits to modern bread wheat. This Restoring the Nativemajor step to protect the worlds food supply from climate change and the increasingly severe weather expected in coming Landscape years was published today in the journal Nature.Virus-based Vector in Cassava Enables Efficient Protein Expression and Gene EditingScientists based in China announced the development of a virus-mediated protein overexpression (VOX) virus for cas-sava. This is the first of its kind developed for cassava since the prior option was created through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The technology can be used for heterologous gene expression and gene editing in cassava. Further studies aim to facilitate functional genomic studies, biotechnology applica-tions, and precision breeding of the crop.Prices For Genetically Modified Seeds Have Risen Much Faster Than Non-GM SeedsPrices farmers paid for crop seed increased significantly faster than the prices farmers received for crop commodities between 1990 and 2020. During that period the average price farmers paid for all seed rose by 270%, while the crop commodity price index rose 56%. For crops planted predominantly with geneti-https://ernstseed.co/adSW cally modified (GM) seed (corn, soybeans, and cotton), seed prices rose by an average of 463% between 1990 and 2020. During this period, GM seed prices peaked in 2014 at 639% 800-873-3321 above 1990 price levels. SWsales@ernstseed.com70/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2023'