It’s the International Day for Biological Diversity. A Government Report has a Warning for the World
A new report from a Canadian government think tank warns that a “loss of biodiversity” and the “collapse of ecosystems” is one of 35 alarming threats that could significantly affect the global […]
Cooperación entre Fronteras
La industria de las semillas actualmente enfrenta a una serie de retos importantes, siendo el cambio climático uno de los principales que definen el futuro del sector. También estamos siendo impactados por la globalización: antes el sector de las semillas de cada país solía trabajar principalmente dentro de sus propias fronteras, ahora el envío de semillas a través de las fronteras internacionales -especialmente debido a la creciente importancia de la producción de contraestación- es una gran parte del negocio.
Cross-border Cooperation
The seed industry is currently facing a series of significant challenges, with climate change being one of the main elements defining the future of the sector. We are also being reshaped by globalization: whereas each country’s seed sector used to work mostly within its own borders, the shipping of seed across international borders — especially due to the growing importance of contra-season production — is now big business.
Meet Chris Boomsma, Seed World U.S. Editorial Board Member
Chris Boomsma is the CEO of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). In this role, he leads the organization in fulfilling its mission to assemble, interpret and communicate credible, science-based information regionally, nationally and internationally to legislators, regulators, policymakers, the media, the private sector and the public.
Aston University Scientist to Help Make Crop Monitoring Easier and Cheaper
A photonics expert from Aston University has been awarded a Royal Society Industry Fellowship grant to develop remote sensing technology that will make crop monitoring easier and more cost-effective.
EU Extends Protection Periods for Plant Varieties, Reinforcing Horticultural Innovation
In accordance with Regulation (Eu) 2021/1873 Of The European Parliament And Of The Council, dated October 20, 2021, the European Union has extended the protection periods for 4,302 plant variety titles.
Cultivating Connections at the 100th ISF World Seed Congress
In the heart of Rotterdam, the International Seed Federation (ISF) commemorates a century of shaping the global seeds industry. As the curtains rise on this year’s ISF World Seed Congress, […]
Incentivizing the Development of New Products for European Farmers
An effective intellectual property framework is needed for plant biotechnology. For decades, the plant breeding and seed sector has been investing in agricultural innovation and new technologies, yielding numerous benefits […]
Meet Samantha Bock, Seed World U.S. Editorial Board Member
Samantha Bock is the customer engagement leader at SePRO Corporation. She leads the team responsible for delivering the brand experience for SePRO’s business units that include agriculture, turf and ornamental and aquatics.
USDA Invests $30.8 Million in Historically Black Land-Grant Universities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a significant investment of $30.8 million dedicated to all 19 of America’s historically black Land-grant Universities. This funding, part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program, aims to support scientific research addressing the nation’s toughest agricultural challenges.
EVENT PREVIEW: You Can Help Reimagine Plant Breeding at the 2024 NAPB Meeting
Martin Bohn can’t wait to welcome people to the 2024 meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders meeting being held in St. Louis, Miss., July 21-25. This year’s meeting, […]
Suck it Up: Harness Air to Make Processing a Breeze
Harnessing air to clean and separate materials is not a new concept. Picture a grandmother sifting grains on a breezy day — that’s the age-old principle of using air for […]
Hybrid True Potato Seeds Deliver Economic and Nutritional Security to the World
As seed producers, we are pressured to deliver nearly impossible results for the global food value chain. We must reliably supply an increasing amount of product to support farmers in feeding the world’s growing population, all while accommodating unpredictable events that stress seed production. At the same time, we are being asked to develop more resilient seeds so farmers can better withstand climate change, extreme weather, evolving disease pressures and other threats and still deliver reliable crop yields.
How do you “Catch” Your Employees Doing Something RIGHT?
It’s a part of every leader’s job to ensure everything is going smoothly. It’s human nature to focus on the things that are going wrong and to try and fix […]
Horticulture is Italy’s Thing
Italy is a country with a high horticultural vocation. It is a European leader in the production of vegetable and aromatic seeds: the numbers say it. In 2022, an area of almost 39,000 hectares was cultivated for this purpose. The figures are increasing, there is more than a doubling from 2012 to today, with an annual +5 per cent in 2022.
Meet Katrina Bishop, Seed World U.S. Editorial Board Member
Katrina Bishop joined ASTA in December 2023 where she helps tell the story of the seed industry, highlighting the innovative and sustainable technologies seed producers and agribusiness are using to develop a better seed, for a better crop, for a better world.
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.
Feds Announce Investment in Research to Promote More Diverse Crop Rotations on Farms
The federal government has announced up to $5.7 million to the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA) through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian […]
On the Heels of Opening its NorthCore Facility, BrettYoung is Awarded Best Managed Companies Status
BrettYoung is a 2024 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years or more. BrettYoung is recognized with […]
Manitoba Producers Spearhead Novel Funding Approach to Save Dry Bean Breeding Program
The dry bean breeding program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Morden Research Centre in Manitoba has a new lease on life for the next five years through a novel collaboration […]
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.
AOSCA Annual Meeting Aims to Future-Proof Seed Certifying Agencies
The AOSCA annual meeting June 16-19, 2024, is a must-go event for those who aim to keep seed certification relevant. *Last day to register is May 13*
Bioceres Crop Solutions Announces Brazil’s Approval of New Generation Bio-Insecticide
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. has received approval from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA- Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária) for three new bio-insecticidal/bio-nematicidal solutions. These solutions are derived from inactivated cells of the company’s proprietary Burkholderia platform.
Actuar con Antelación Facilitas la Cosas, Tanto para Viajar como para Producir en Contraestación
Por la calma que reina en mi casa, nadie sospecharía que pronto cerraremos la puerta y nos iremos al hemisferio norte por dos meses. Todos los años en junio nos […]
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.
New $3.7 Million Climate Crop Lab Will Create Food for “Tomorrow’s Atmosphere Today”
A $3.7 million state-of-the-art plant laboratory is set to position researchers at the forefront of the battle against climate change. It will also enable the creation of crops suitable for the future’s changing atmosphere.
Benzon Lorenzana is Crossing Borders to Revolutionize Wheat Breeding in Canada
Benon Lorenzana’s journey from a small village in the Philippines to leading breeding teams in North America is not just inspiring but crucial for the future of farming. A seasoned […]
Watch our New Webinar on IP Compliance in Forage Seed Blends
As the demand for customized forage blends continues to rise, so does the importance of respecting the intellectual property rights of seed developers and breeders. Today’s Retail Strategy webinar is […]
OPINION: Our Variety Development Framework is a Mess, and all Sectors Must Work Together to Clean it up
There has been much talk lately in the agricultural press and on social media about whether breeding contributes to the sustainability goals of our industry and our nation. For those […]
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