The Difference Between Motivation and Activation
When it comes to sales, the difference between mediocrity and greatness isn’t about motivation — it’s about activation. Here’s the thing: people are either motivated or they’re not. What we […]
Bees in Bed with Alfalfa
Walla Walla County in Washington state produces a significant portion of the nation’s alfalfa seed, and that’s partly thanks to the love farmers there have for their bees.
“They are literally part of the family. I grew up with them,” says Mark Wagoner, a third generation farmer. “We have about 30 acres of ground dedicated just to alkali bees. You can’t buy them; you have to have them reproduce.”
A Threat to Europe’s Food Security
Insights on how to secure seed production in the EU. Why It Matters: Seed production is the process of cultivating plants specifically for the purpose of harvesting seeds, which then […]
Meet the Alkali Bee
Alfalfa’s Flower Power Pollinator Alkali bees (Nomia melanderi) are the unsung heroes of alfalfa seed production. Native to North America, these ground-nesting bees are tailor-made for the job of pollinating […]
Trade Threats Have Seeds Canada Members Looking for Answers
The landscape for agriculture and trade has always been complex, but recent political moves south of the border have turned up the heat. As Seeds Canada policy director Lauren Comin […]
Seed to Sip: How Corn Shapes Bourbon’s Flavor and Legacy
Corn is the foundation of bourbon, a distinctive American whiskey that holds a significant place in U.S. culture and the global spirits’ market. In 1964, Congress recognized bourbon as a distinctive product of the United States, meaning it can only be domestically produced. The small state of Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon. From sprawling farms to craft distilleries, corn plays a pivotal role in crafting bourbon that blends tradition, science and innovation. But don’t forget — bourbon’s journey begins with the seed.
The Estate Whiskey Alliance® is Crafting a New Gold Standard in Spirits
The Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA) is redefining the future of whiskey. Established at the University of Kentucky in 2023, the alliance leverages more than 150 years of history in supporting the spirits industry through research, talent development and innovation.
NAPB Releases Draft Schedule, Opens Registration for Hawaii Conference
The National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) has officially opened registration for its 2025 conference, to be held on the big island of Hawaii. A draft schedule has been released […]
New Partnership Aims to Develop Biostimulants Using AI Technology
Syngenta recently announced a partnership with TraitSeq, a technology firm specializing in artificial intelligence, to explore new methods for developing biostimulants.
The collaboration combines Syngenta’s crop biology expertise with TraitSeq’s AI platform to identify biomarkers, which are cellular indicators that can reveal how plants respond to efforts to improve their health or manage abiotic stressors such as drought or extreme temperatures.
Polish Presidency 2025 – “Security, Europe!”
The first time that Poland chaired the Council of the European Union was in 2011. At that time the main priorities were negotiation and future accession of new member states; […]
What’s It Like to Work With You?
Creating a seamless employee experience that mirrors user experience design is key to understanding, engaging, and retaining top talent in today’s competitive market.
I’ve recently been working with a company to conduct a large customer survey to pilot a new product line. They have invested a lot of time and energy to understand their customers’ experience. Having worked as a coach in this organization, it struck me how much less they knew about the experience of their employees. We are working to change that.
Global Survey Unveils Public Attitudes Toward Breakthrough Technologies
As global leaders convened at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Leaps by Bayer, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) unveiled results from one of the most extensive surveys ever conducted on public attitudes toward transformative technologies. The study, carried out by market research firm Ipsos, explored society’s perceptions of innovations in health and nutrition, including cell and gene therapies, artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, new genomic techniques (NGTs) in agriculture and cultivated meat.
The (not so easy) Art of Choosing Which F*cks to Give
Leadership is an ongoing balancing act of caring deeply about what matters while letting go of what doesn’t. It’s about building a culture that fosters growth, risk-taking, and connection — one where […]
Rising Seed Stars in 2025
University seed labs and seed science programs are integral components of seed research and education in the United States. Many universities across the country have dedicated facilities and academic programs focused on seed science, reflecting the important role seeds play in global food security, crop innovation and sustainable agriculture.
Study: Invasion of Ukraine Disrupts Global Food Supply, Calls for Alternative Grain Routes
A pioneering study published in the INFORMS Journal of Transportation Science sheds light on the profound and widespread impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on global food security. The research underscores […]
Canada Dodges a Tariff Bullet, For Now
As Donald Trump took the oath of office, we could only watch and speculate on what the future held. Would his tariff threats come to fruition? And what would we […]
It’s Inauguration Day: What the Trump Presidency Could Mean for the Seed Sector
The United States has embarked on another chapter in its political landscape with Donald Trump returning to the presidency. The Trump administration is poised to shape key policies that will […]
New Consumers for New Markets
“Consumer is king” is a motto well known by all market operators and of proven validity. It is probably time to update it to “New consumer is king”. In the food […]
Can we Thrive in a World of Tariffs? It Depends
The spectre of trade tariffs is not new to the Trump playbook, yet the latest volley of threats by the incoming U.S. president has once more fuelled concerns about economic […]
More Rising Seed Stars of 2025
This is part two of Rising Seed Stars of 2025. Christopher Mujjabi – University of IllinoisMujjabi, a Ph.D. student, is redefining organic maize breeding. His research integrates speed-breeding, genomic selection, […]
ASTA’s CEO Offers Perspective for 2025
Leading the Charge for Seed Industry Advocacy As I reflect on ASTA’s priorities for 2025, it’s clear to me that our focus remains unwavering: advocating for the seed industry amidst […]
ASTA Board Chair Offers Perspective for 2025
A Regenerative and Innovative Future for Seeds Sitting at the intersection of production and policy, I’m constantly reminded of the vital role the seed industry plays in agriculture’s future. I […]
UK and Ukraine Launch Grain Verification Scheme as Part of 100-Year Partnership
The UK and Ukraine will sign a historic partnership, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer travels to the Ukraine to meet with Ukraine President Zelenskyy. The ties between the UK […]
More Than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates Sound Alarm on Hunger Crisis
Over 150 Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates have issued an urgent call for financial and political support to develop groundbreaking “moonshot” technologies aimed at preventing a hunger crisis within […]
Pathogen-Host Database Refocuses on Genes
PHI-base provides a comprehensive resource for deeper insights into pathogens and their hosts. A new version of the Pathogen–Host Interactions Database (PHI-base) has been developed to offer deeper insights into […]
First Case of Glyphosate Resistance in a UK Weed Species Confirmed
The UK Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) has confirmed the first instance of glyphosate resistance in a UK weed species. Resistance to glyphosate at the maximum recommended application rate was […]
What the Seed Industry Needs to Know About Trump’s Pick to Head USDA
Trump’s pick is Brooke Rollins, who has limited experience in agriculture. If confirmed, Rollins would be the second woman to hold the office. Her name may not yet be widely […]
Protealis, Ghent University, and ILVO to Develop Tools for Virus-Resistant Pea Breeding
Ghent University, ILVO, and Protealis partner to develop virus-resistant pea varieties, tackling key agricultural challenges. This collaboration represents a major step toward supporting farmers, boosting yields, and advancing sustainable plant-based […]
Paul Kjolhaug Honored with IPSA Lifetime Achievement Award
At the IPSA 2025 conference, held in Palm Springs January 7 and 8, Paul Kjolhaug of MayerSeedLine was recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating over four decades of contributions to the independent seed sector.
Ohalo Genetics’ David Friedberg Blazing Trails
Few names in plant innovation command as much attention as David Friedberg of Ohalo Genetics. An entrepreneur, investor, accidental podcast star, and more, Dave is a trailblazer who’s reshaping agriculture, […]
Top 5 Advancements for New Plant Breeding Methods in 2024
According to Euroseeds, recent months have brought major advancements in global gene-editing regulations. Here’s a top 5 roundup of key developments shaping the future of plant breeding! EU Advances with […]
Why Are Seed Association Managers So Different?
Association managers are a special breed, but the genetics of the traits that shape effective ones have not been uncovered yet. Seed associations are ‘owned by’ the companies, but operate […]
Unlocking the Secrets to Shorter Grain Corn
In the rapidly evolving field of seed science, breakthroughs that can change the future of farming are always around the corner. Dior Kelley, assistant professor at Iowa State University Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, recently made a discovery that could fundamentally alter how corn is grown. Kelley and her team identified a genetic pathway that they can manipulate to selectively control the height of corn through the plant hormone auxin. Interestingly, the journey that led Kelley to this breakthrough started with a different goal in mind — controlling root growth.
And That’s A Wrap: Colin Steen Hands off IPSA Presidency
Colin Steen’s one-year term as IPSA President has officially concluded, with Scott Sanders now taking up the torch for the 2025 year. Seed World sat down with Steen to get […]
Big Plans Ahead: Scott Sanders Takes the Helm at IPSA’s Board
There’s a new guy leading the charge of the Independent Professional Seed Association’s board. That guy is Peterson Farms Seed’s Scott Sanders, who officially stepped into the role of president […]
Todd Martin’s Top 3 Takeaways from IPSA 2025
In the busyness of day-to-day work, it can be really difficult to take a step back to look at the big picture, to add new ideas and to consider outside […]