Meet Amanda Patin, Seed World U.S. Editorial Board Member
Amanda Patin is the business development director for U.S. Crop Sciences at SGS North America, Inc.
ISF’s Immeasurably Powerful, Century-Long Impact on the Seed Industry
A centennial anniversary urges us to look at the future of ISF. Knowing where we come from can certainly help. So, let’s have a look at how ISF evolved from its double origins: FIS and ASSINSEL before we try to glimpse at the future. ISFs history can be split into four almost equal phases with specific identities while ISF took on additional roles.
Nominate a Management Maverick Now!
This fall, we will unveil a list of Management Mavericks—everyone wants to work for these leaders— those who go beyond the ordinary, those who champion employee well-being and inclusion, those who nurture a culture of mentorship and excel in talent retention and career development.
Meet Bryan Gerard, Seed World U.S Editorial Board Member
Bryan Gerard is the president and co-owner of JoMar Seeds, an elite wheat licensing company.
NordGen invests in Flax with over 400 Varieties Sown
Insulation, textiles, food, wood impregnation, and paint—all benefit from flax, a versatile crop well-suited for cultivation in the Nordic Region. However, its cultivation in these countries, particularly for fiber production, […]
Meet Jane Bachmann, Seed World U.S. Editorial Board Member
Jane is responsible for internal and external communications for the global seed business, her team finds innovative ways to make complex information simple as they advocate for market access to seed technology and help improve understanding of business priorities.
The Seed Industry’s Work to Stamp Out Hunger
In an era marked by growing populations and climate uncertainty, the imperative to combat hunger is urgent. It’s no surprise that the seed industry plays a pivotal role in this global challenge. Through innovations in seed technology and strategic partnerships, the industry is making strides toward stamping out hunger.
Meet the Seed World U.S. Editorial Board
By leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of the Seed World U.S. editorial board, we understand the issues the seed industry is facing. Having a group of seed industry professionals to provide perspective, connections and insight is vital to my work as an editor.
Fathers of the Global Seed Vault Named 2024 World Food Prize Laureates
Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, Founding Director and Executive Board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and Dr. Cary Fowler, currently the U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, were chosen by the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee for their longstanding contribution to seed conservation and crop biodiversity.
CIOPORA Appoints Micaela Filippo as Vice Secretary-General
Micaela Filippo has been appointed as the new Vice Secretary-General of CIOPORA, the International Association of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Horticultural Varieties. Micaela previously served at CIOPORA from 2016 to 2021, where she gained deep insights into the breeding sector and developed a comprehensive understanding of Plant Breeders’ Rights protection
What an A-Maizing Crop!
Corn, also known widely as maize, remains a critical crop used in a wide range of food, feed and industrial applications. As breeders continue to make progress, the importance of this crop as well as the diversity of its uses are expected to increase.
Outstanding Breeder of the Last Century: Dr. Alejandro Violic
At the age of 99, Dr. Alejandro Violic is a prominent figure in the field of plant genetics, whose life and work have transpired in parallel to the evolution of this science over the last century. His sharp mind and physical vigor are astonishing, making him easily look 25 years younger.
Cornell Plant Breeder Richard W. Robinson Passes Away at 93
Richard “Dick” W. Robinson, a Cornell AgriTech professor emeritus whose innovative approaches to cucurbit and tomato breeding have left an indelible mark on agricultural practices worldwide, passed away on March 22 in Geneva, New York, at the age of 93.
Is AI taking over our creative minds?
The constant chatter about artificial intelligence is that we can just ask AI to write an article, create a presentation or even send a birthday card. If I did use AI, I hope that my readers would know. If you used AI to create your employee townhall message, they would know. Your mother would definitely know you didn’t write that card yourself.
Scientists Bring CRISPR Technology to U.S. Senate Ag Committee
Boyce Thompson Institute professor Georg Jander recently spoke to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urging policymakers to support and finance emerging agricultural technologies.
U.S. Farmer Confidence Hits Rock Bottom
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer plunged to its lowest point since the early days of the pandemic, recording a sharp 15-point drop to a mere 99. James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator, underscored the gravity of the situation in a Purdue news release.
U.S. Wheat Farms Decline
According to the latest 2022 Census of Agriculture from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), there has been a substantial decrease in the number of farms producing wheat over the past 20 years. The 2022 data reveals a dramatic 43-percent reduction in wheat farms since 2002. From 169,528 farms reporting wheat production in 2002, the number has fallen to 97,014 in 2022.
International Seed Federation Marks 100 Years at World Seed Congress
This year marks a monumental milestone for the International Seed Federation (ISF) as it celebrates 100 years of unparalleled contributions to the global seed sector and to agriculture. Founded in 1924, the ISF has been at the forefront of advocating for seed policies that support sustainable agriculture and ensure food security worldwide.
Texas A&M Bolsters Microbiome Research with Hire of Three Leading Scientists
The recent recruitment of three microbiome scientists at Texas A&M University could propel the institution to the forefront of a field that explores the intricate dynamics of microscopic biological communities and their effects on soil, plant, animal and human health.
Cornell Satellite Imaging of Plant Fluorescence May Predict Crop Yields
Cornell University researchers and their partners have devised an innovative framework to forecast crop yields using minimal data, a vital advancement for developing nations grappling with limited data availability, food insecurity, and climate threats.
UN General Assembly Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer
The initiative received broad support from more than 100 co-sponsoring organizations.
At a ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, this initiative was announced to promote gender equity and global food security.
Mapping your Mental Landscape
In an age where the pace of life seems to accelerate with each passing moment, especially within the seed sector where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of shaping our future, the nature and impact of our thoughts have never been more critical to understand.
EPA Proposes Acephate Ban
The plan would ban all uses of acephate except on trees that do not produce fruit, nuts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed interim decision (PID) that […]
Farm Bill Movement in Sight
Many of the 2024 Farm Bill focus areas directly impact the seed industry.
Nadorcott Reconsidered: The Fate of the Cascade for the Breeder of New Varieties
In December of 2019, the European Court of Justice made a controversial ruling that exposed loopholes in the provisional protection and the protection of harvested material under the UPOV Plant Variety Protection (PVR) System. That ruling, called the Nadorcott case because it dealt with the Nadorcott variety of mandarin oranges, has had an adverse impact on the general interpretation of the protection of harvested material of protected fruit and flower varieties in the European Union and, more broadly, in all UPOV Member States
Cultural Intelligence to Suc-Seed Across Borders
One of the most common mistakes is assessing other people’s behavior through our own cultural lens, says Coco Hofs, a Dutch-born intercultural trainer and founder of the intercultural consulting firm, CCS – Cross-Cultural Solutions. With over a decade of experience, she has helped countless organizations overcome cultural differences in the international workplace.
Connecting the Seed World Globally, Under One Brand
How are the Seed World editors feeling about how the Seed World brand has changed over the last few months? How is it effecting their sector?
Scientists Harness Wild Soybean Traits with New Biotech Tool
A team at Purdue University, with soybean geneticist Jianxin Ma at the helm, has created a pioneering biotechnological tool aimed at harnessing desirable traits from wild soybeans, such as increased resistance to leafhopper pests. This method, known as de novo domestication, streamlines the process of engineering crop improvements directly from nature’s untamed varieties.
Indiana Crop Improvement Association Names New Genetics Lab Director
The Indiana Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) appointed Brenton Leach as the new director of the Genetics Lab.
EVENT PREVIEW: The NAPB’s 2024 Meeting Sparks New Partnerships with St. Louis Startups
The National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) is getting ready to hold its 2024 meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, from July 21-25 — and this year’s concept is an important […]
Seed Speaks: Shielding the Seed Industry from Cyber Villains
Cyberattacks against the food and ag industry, including our seed sector, are on the rise in the U.S. and to combat those evolving threats, the national Food and Agriculture – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC) and its members, which includes many seed sector companies) recently launched a new University Partnership Program.
New Genetic Method to Enhance Oil Seed Production
Washington State University (WSU) scientists have discovered a novel genetic mechanism in plant oil biosynthesis, that could transform the production of valuable oils. Published in Nature Communications, this proof-of-concept study showcases how genetically engineered plants could dramatically improve the yield of specialized seed oils.
Pioneering Research Offers Hope Against Crop Diseases
Diseases impacting crop plants have profoundly influenced human history and continue to pose significant challenges in our quest to sustainably cultivate the essential crops that feed, clothe, and sustain us. From wheat and bananas to coffee and cacao, a broad spectrum of crucial crops are under threat from diseases, with risks expected to escalate as climate change progresses.
University of Florida’s New Machine-Harvestable Tomato Varieties Could Lower Labor Costs
For decades, Florida’s robust tomato industry has relied on manual labor for harvesting—a costly and labor-intensive process. However, with the advent of new machine-harvestable tomato varieties from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the future of harvesting looks promising and more efficient.
International Committee Takes on Plan to Develop the Ukrainian Genebank and Secure Its Invaluable Plants and Seeds for the Future
NordGen hosted a meeting with the Ukrainian genebank and several international experts to address the urgent need to safeguard Ukraine’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, which are currently at risk due to the ongoing conflict. The primary focus of the meeting was to devise a strategy for resource mobilization and the development of Ukraine’s genebank system, both in the short and long term.
Barley Plants Fine-Tune Their Root Microbial Communities Through Sugary Secretions
Research conducted by the John Innes Centre reveals that different types of barley attract unique communities of soil microbes to grow around their roots. This is achieved through the release of a tailored mixture of sugars and other compounds.