Independents at a Real Crossroads
I recently caught up with Colin Steen, current president of the board for the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) and CEO of Legacy Agripartners. It’s been a busy year, but the work is far from over as he heads into the final quarter of 2024.
Can Plant Prebiotics Help the Food Supply?
Plant pathogens cost hundreds of billions of dollars per year in lost food production. When thinking about the microbiome, most people immediately consider the trillions of microorganisms in the human body that aid in digestion, mental health and more. However, plants also harbor a complex world of microbes, both on and inside them. Emerging research shows that these plant-resident microbes play a critical role in plant health by helping their immune system distinguish between harmful and beneficial bacteria.
InnovAction Stage 2024: 12 Game-Changing Innovations Unveiled at Euroseeds Congress
Join us for an insightful conversation with Petra Jorasch as we delve into the exciting developments at this year’s Euroseeds InnovAction Stage! This unique platform will showcase the top 12 […]
Increased Funding for Sustainable Pulse Crops in the UK
A consortium of four UK research organizations, led by the John Innes Centre, has secured £3 million in DEFRA funding to advance the development of climate-resilient legume crops. The Pulse […]
New Crop Research Concept Leverages Farmers for Mass Crop Trialing
Citizen science and the power of three combine to increase food security in the global south. Collaboration between scientists and farmers is always important in crop variety studies. That partnership […]
Scientists Find Secret to Boosting Crop Yields with Less Water – No Tradeoffs Needed
Discover how genetic engineering is helping drought-resistant crops, paving the way for a more sustainable future without sacrificing productivity. Drought stress has been a major obstacle for crop production worldwide, […]
Corn Belt Seed Conference Registration is Open
This Midwest Corn Belt Seed Conference is your chance to dive into more insights, more engaging discussions, and the ultimate networking experience.
Why Don’t we Have Seed Biosimilars?
When a pharmaceutical product goes off-patent, within days the market is flooded with biosimilars (generics) that bring prices down and drive opportunities for innovators to enter markets. Why doesn’t the […]
An International Fight Against a Debilitating Corn Fungus
Universities in three states, plus one in Brazil, are researching ways to stop Fusarium graminearum. The University of Kentucky, in collaboration with Kansas State University, Virginia Tech, and the Federal […]
Inclusion Meets Innovation at NAPB 2024
The National Association for Plant Breeding envisioned a new blueprint for the profession at its conference in St. Louis. In the United States, food security isn’t just about keeping grocery […]
Less Than 5% of a Genome is Made up of Actual Genes
Karl Kremling is laser-focused on areas of the genome that have been overlooked: the non-gene regions. As technical director of computational biology for Inari based in Cambridge, MA, his work […]
Regen Ag: Growing Momentum or Fading Hype?
Editor’s Note: This article is the second part in our 2024 feature about Regen Ag. A closer look at regenerative agriculture and its benefits to farmers. WHY IT MATTERS There’s […]
Genome Editing Tool Making Way for Faster, More Precise Crop Enhancements
Innovation holds promise to create disease-resistant, high-yield plants that require fewer resources. A genome editing tool, developed with transposable element technology from University of South Carolina-Aiken (USCA) associate professor Nathan […]
Protein Possibilities of Alfalfa
Alfalfa leaf protein already has many of the functional properties that human consumption requires; however, the disadvantage is that alfalfa protein is mainly in the form of rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis which degrades quickly after harvest.
In his Own Words: Ignacio Bartolomé, CEO of GDM
Leading GDM from family business to global seed industry leader. GDM is a family business with a family story. Picture the children of an agronomist growing up in a farm town […]
Pacific Northwest Wheat Commissions Weigh in on Drought-Tolerant Wheat Trait
The commissions are responding to the recent decision of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to officially deregulated the drought-tolerant HB4® trait in wheat.
This decision paves the way for potential future commercialization of the trait. The wheat commissions of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, which represent Pacific Northwest (PNW) wheat producers, have addressed potential questions from global customers on their website. Here are the official statements from PNW wheat commissions.
Who are the Major Seed Suppliers of the Organic Sector?
All farmers need good seed, irrespective of their agronomy or their markets. The diversity of companies in the sector provides almost all the seeds needed by farmers. Organic farmers have […]
Seeding a PGA Championship
When the PGA Championship returns to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2025, Quail Hollow Club will have touched every inch of the course to meticulously prepare for the world’s best golfers. Behind the scenes of this storied event is Keith Wood, the golf course superintendent, whose responsibility lies in ensuring the perfect balance of playability and aesthetics for a major championship. But achieving this isn’t simply about watering greens and trimming fairways — it’s about innovation, precision and selecting the right seeds.
Sustainability and Precision in Turf Management
Golf is often seen as a luxury sport, one that consumes vast quantities of water and fertilizer. For Quail Hollow, however, sustainability is becoming an increasing focus. Wood’s approach to fertilization demonstrates this commitment to environmental stewardship, employing advanced technology to optimize the course’s inputs.
What Does the Golf Industry Need From the Seed Sector?
As golf courses face increasing environmental and regulatory pressures, the seed industry is becoming more essential to the sport’s future. Wood emphasizes that the challenges facing modern golf course management require innovative solutions from seed breeders. He believes the industry’s role in creating resilient, sustainable turf varieties is more crucial than ever.
Seed Innovation and Science in Golf
Reflecting on the future of golf course management, Wood emphasizes the vital role of the seed industry in the sport’s evolution. Disease resistance, drought tolerance and sustainability are driving forces in turfgrass innovation.
Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance Advancing Sustainable Practices for Performance
The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) is leading the charge toward more sustainable turfgrass management by certifying grasses that use significantly less water while maintaining high performance. Its primary mission is to identify and certify grasses that use significantly less water while maintaining high performance in terms of playability, aesthetics, and overall health.
Tomatoes in Space
Researchers at the University of California Riverside, reported in a recent news release, have genetically altered tomato plants to grow in an ideal size for planting in space, potentially allowing astronauts to grow and eat freshly picked fruits aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Strategic Dialogue Report Shapes Future EU Agricultural Policy
The final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture (SDA) was officially delivered Sept. 4 to European Commission by President Ursula von der Leyen. This marks […]
Do You Want to Be Right? Or, Do You Want Things to Go Well?
At Seed World Group, one of our interview questions is, ‘When was the last time you changed your mind about something?’ It’s shocking to me how often people don’t have […]
Register Now for Our Next Webinar on Innovation in Cereal Breeding
Join us for an insightful Seed World Retail Strategy webinar focused on Innovations in Cereals, where experts in the field will share their knowledge and breakthroughs in cereal production. This […]
Vilsack Not Opposed to Another Term
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will consider continuing to serve if asked. According to a news release from the Governors Biofuels Coalition, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has indicated […]
Creative Destruction in the Plant Breeding Sector
Creative destruction in the plant breeding sector involves innovations that significantly disrupt traditional practices, leading to the decline or transformation of existing methods, products, or industries. Here are some notable […]
Petra Jorasch on the Euroseeds2024 InnovAction Stage: A Deep Dive into Plant Breeding Innovations
Join us as Petra Jorasch, Manager of Plant Breeding Innovation Advocacy at Euroseeds, shares exclusive insights into the Euroseeds2024 InnovAction Stage, where the spotlight is on the latest advancements in […]
See you at the Seed Congress of the Americas in Buenos Aires!
From World Seed Congress to the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies’ annual meeting, to the Seeds Canada meetings and a ton of meetings in between, I’ve been on the […]
Scientists are Drowning Tomatoes
In the rooftop laboratory of Morrill Hall, Esther Ngumbi, an entomology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, faces the challenge of making her voice heard over the roaring greenhouse fans. The benches around her are filled with struggling tomato plants. Some are submerged in water, with yellowing leaves and withering stems, while a few have managed to produce small, fragile tomatoes. It’s a distressing scene, but this is all part of Ngumbi’s deliberate experiment, detailed in a UI news release, to test how these plants respond to flooding—a growing concern for farmers due to climate change.
Certified Seed, A Plus for Consumers Too
Certified seed is the essence of the work of the seed industry. At the same time, it is a fundamental added value for all food production chains. In Italy the […]
Global Soybean Demand Still Declining
As the U.S. enters the 2024/25 soybean marketing year Sept. 1, export sales of new-crop soybeans are at historic lows. However, several factors may potentially revitalize demand for U.S. soybeans in the coming marketing year.
The Humanness of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In recent months, the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has dramatically shifted. With the end of affirmative action as a factor in college admissions, the closure of many university DEI offices and corporations reevaluating DEI initiatives, it’s easy to feel like these concepts are losing ground. However, I believe this is the perfect time to reflect on the true meaning of these words and why they are more important than ever—not just in policy but in our everyday lives, businesses and relationships.
Bringing Innovation to Life: The Vision Behind Euroseeds 2024’s InnovAction Stage
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Garlich von Essen, CEO & Secretary General of Euroseeds, as he introduces the InnovAction Stage at Euroseeds 2024—a groundbreaking addition to the Euroseeds […]
The United States has Given the Green Light to GM Wheat
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. has just achieved a major milestone with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) giving the green light to its HB4 wheat technology. The USDA’s favourable Regulatory […]