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.
A Sneak Peek Behind The Scenes of Product Development Testing
To deliver best in class seed packages, Bayer unites top-tier germplasm, advanced biotech traits and a multipronged seed treatment system. But there’s more: building a complete seed package also involves […]
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.
REGISTER NOW for the 2024 NAPB Meeting
We sat down last week for an interview with the incoming president of the National Association of Plant Breeders, J.D. Rossouw of Bayer Crop Science, to talk about the upcoming […]
There’s a Revolution Going on in the Hybrid Rye Space
Hybrid rye seed production is in flux, with KWS taking charge of its production and distribution to farmers, while FP Genetics brings in fresh varieties from Saaten-Union. Kenny Piecharka recently […]
How You Ask for Feedback Determines What you Get
One of my favorite parts of travel is getting to try new restaurants and unique menu items. The world of food is so diverse and good restaurants give the guest […]
CDA Celebrated Five Years of Pioneering Digital Agriculture at Annual Conference
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s (UIUC) iHotel and Illinois Conference Center played host to the CDA’s annual conference—a celebration of their progress under the theme “Future of Digital Agriculture.”
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.
CFIA Confirms Gene Edited Plants in Livestock Feed are Safe, Industry Applauds the Move
The ag sector is applauding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for issuing its guidance today which confirms that gene edited plants are safe for use in livestock feed. “The plant […]
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.
Alberta Grains has Picked a New Interim Research Director
Alberta Grains announces the appointment of Jeremy Boychyn as its interim director of research while continuing to oversee his portfolio of Agronomy & Extension. Boychyn will now oversee all research-related […]
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.
From One Breeder to Another: How Genomics Data Can Transform Your Breeding Program
Unlocking data-driven insights from your breeding pipeline to empower you to make informed decisions faster. In today’s breeding programs, data plays a pivotal role in determining efficiency. Why? It boils […]
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 […]
LAST RESPECTS: Pickseed Co-Founder Tom Pick Remembered as a Driven Businessman and Caring Mentor
A giant of the North American seed industry has passed away and is being remembered as a visionary who served as a mentor who truly cared about those he worked […]
Farm Bill Movement in Sight
Many of the 2024 Farm Bill focus areas directly impact the seed industry.
More Nutritious White Bread Could Be on Shelves, Thanks to Funding
Healthier white bread could soon appear on the shelves of bakers and grocers across the UK thanks to research at Aberystwyth University. Partnering with the renowned organic millers Shipton Mill, the Aberystwyth team will investigate the milling and blending techniques used in the production of white flour.
Innovating for the Future: How MAS Seeds’ Designed its New Maize and Sunflower Seed Portfolio
Seed companies face a myriad of challenges and opportunities. From adapting to climate change to meeting market demands, their journey is one of constant innovation and dedication to sustainable solutions. […]
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 […]
Alberta Drought Fears Tempered by Optimism as Moisture Arrives in Some Seed Growing Regions
As Alberta braces for a potential drought, seed growers are optimistic that farmers won’t be too adversely affected should dry weather plague the province in 2024. “It doesn’t usually take […]
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.
Bratney y DAQ Forman una Alianza Estratégica para Sudamérica y Centroamérica
Bratney, que opera en EE.UU. y Argentina, y el Grupo DAQ, con sedes en Argentina y Brasil, han unido sus fuerzas para formar una asociación estratégica y una empresa conjunta, según un comunicado de prensa.
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.