Page 15 – Seed World

Dear Ottawa: We’re Not Asking for a Handout. We’re Offering a $100 Billion Growth Strategy

A bold letter from Canada’s ag sector says the future of national prosperity starts with a seed — and it’s time government acted like it

Fungus-Fighting Genes: The Future of Crop Protection Is Already Here

Seed World Europe interviews HealthyCrop CEO Pernille Ollendorff Hede on a natural enzyme that helps plants resist fungal attacks, blending molecular biology, food security, and sustainability.

USDA Reorganization Raises Questions for Agriculture and for the Seed Sector

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is undergoing a major reorganization aimed at reducing costs, streamlining operations, and relocating thousands of federal employees from Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the changes are designed to refocus USDA on its core mission: supporting American farmers, ranchers, and foresters. While the department has emphasized continuity of critical services, the realignment raises questions for sectors like seed, where timely regulatory approvals, research partnerships, and export processes are vital.

For the seed industry, this shift could impact access to USDA agencies such as APHIS, AMS, and ARS, which oversee functions from phytosanitary inspections to biotech trait approvals. The closure or relocation of facilities—including Beltsville Agricultural Research Center—may disrupt ongoing breeding collaborations and affect public-private research programs. Meanwhile, seed exporters could face challenges if USDA’s trade offices experience staffing gaps or delays.

New Study Pinpoints Allergy-Triggering Proteins in Barley

Researchers have, for the first time, precisely measured allergy-triggering amylase/trypsin-inhibitors (ATIs) in barley—proteins linked to symptoms like bloating, headaches, and brain fog in people with food sensitivities. Led by Katharina Scherf at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology, the study analyzed 181 barley accessions from around the world and identified ten specific ATI types. Using a new LC-MS/MS method, the team found ATI levels ranged from 1.1 to 5.2 milligrams per gram of flour, representing up to 3.6 percent of total protein content. These findings are a breakthrough in understanding barley’s role in non-celiac wheat sensitivity and could help breeders select varieties with naturally lower ATI levels.

Lecciones De La Expansión A Sudamérica

Lecciones de Agronomix sobre la expansión en Sudamérica y cómo la flexibilidad ayuda a superar retos económicos y regulatorios.

Lessons from Expanding into South America

Insights from Agronomix on navigating payment, policies, and building flexibility when expanding ag software into South America.

Moon-Rice: Developing the Perfect Crop for Space-Bases

The Moon-Rice project is developing a fresh, nutritious crop for long-term space missions, aiming to support human health in lunar and Martian habitats while addressing the limitations of pre-packaged space food.

He was the Original Food Safety Crusader — and his Story Still Matters

Meet the 19th-century chemist who risked everything to implement quality standards — and paid the price for telling the truth

Mexico and CIMMYT Strengthen Partnership to Transform Agri-Food Systems

CIMMYT hosted Mexican government officials to showcase its scientific advances and 2030 strategy, highlighting the role of innovation and capacity building in transforming Mexico’s agri-food systems.

México y el CIMMYT Fortalecen su Alianza para Transformar los Sistemas Agroalimentarios

Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez y Julio Berdegué visitaron el CIMMYT para conocer los avances científicos y las estrategias que fortalecen los sistemas agroalimentarios de México.

Portugal Joins Global Ag Heritage Sites

Agrosilvopastoral and agroforestry systems in Portugal, Tajikistan, and South Korea have been recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, highlighting sustainable, integrated farming practices.

You’ll Never Guess What This Retailer Did With a Pic of His First Barley Variety

When Alberta’s Bob Mastin released his first barley, he never expected it would end up on a calendar — let alone on a stamp.

IPK Researchers Tap Genetic Power of Barley’s Wild Cousin

IPK Leibniz researchers studied barley and its wild relative H. bulbosum, using high-throughput genomics on 263 diverse genotypes to unlock genetic diversity for yield, resilience, and stress tolerance.

Is This the Next Must-Have Variety for High-Input Barley Fields?

TR22669 was supposed to be a malt barley — until it started outyielding the feed competition by up to 30%

What Used to Take Weeks Now Takes Days — Thanks to This Soil Testing Breakthrough

Clubroot and Aphanomyces threaten Western Canadian crops for decades. SGS Canada’s plant pathology and molecular diagnostics team combats these soilborne diseases with fast, precise, and automated solutions.

When Drought Strikes, Switchgrass Chemistry Shifts

Researchers at UW-Madison’s GLBRC are studying drought-stressed switchgrass, where the compound saponin reduces ethanol production, highlighting the need for integrated breeding and biofuel strategies.

The Grass That Could Fly

Switchgrass: This hardy native grass is gaining ground as a biofuel feedstock — here’s why.

10% More Grain, 10% More Forage — WCI Just Upped the Game in Triticale

At Western Crop Innovations, researchers are rewriting the triticale playbook — and the implications go well beyond the farm gate

Cómo una Crisis Global Cambió la Producción de Semillas para Siempre

La pandemia obligó a la industria de semillas en EE. UU. y Chile a innovar en la gestión de contraestación, adoptando tecnologías que ahora se mantienen de manera permanente.

UK Partnership to Boost Climate Smart Agriculture in Africa

Rothamsted, alongside the UK-CGIAR Centre and partners, launched AgVACS to improve climate adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa’s savannah agriculture, combining expertise from the UK, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Farmers Gather for the First WCI Field Day in Lacombe

WCI may be a new name in applied research, but it’s already becoming a key player.

Two Natural Allies are Rewriting the Playbook on Downy Mildew

One’s a seaweed, the other’s a microbe — and together, they’re kicking this disease to the curb.

Tel Aviv University Researchers Record Audible Signs of Plant Stress

Tel Aviv University researchers have recorded high-frequency “clicking” sounds emitted by plants under stress, revealing a form of plant communication inaudible to humans.

Six Feet of Sand, No Playbook

After Hurricane Helene devastated Upper East Tennessee, researchers are creating a recovery guide to help growers restore fields buried under sand and silt, rebuilding one site at a time.

Why the Smartest Professionals Invest in Their Personal Brands

Alison Mathews is showing seed gurus how to ditch the jargon, own your story, and finally get noticed online

Adoption Record: Transgenic Crops Reached 210 Million Hectares in 2024

Global adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops continues to grow, led by the U.S. with 75.4 million hectares and Brazil with 67.9 million. South America saw the highest regional growth, while countries like Vietnam, Uruguay, Spain, and Myanmar posted major percentage increases, driven by expanded planting and greater use of GM varieties.

Lupin, Quinoa, and Forgotten Crops Power Dutch Shift to Sustainable Farming

A new Dutch research project, REAP2SOW, led by Wageningen University & Research and funded with €6.8 million, aims to build a more sustainable food system. Focusing on white lupin, quinoa, and the ‘forgotten vegetable’ aardaker, the initiative promotes crops that boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and support climate-friendly diets—all while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers.

Mid-Season Corn Check: Five Tips to Keep Your Yield Potential High

Mid-season is the time to monitor fields and weather closely. While you can’t fix a rough start, you can finish strong—here are five key factors I’m watching to maximize corn yield at harvest.

Kids Understand Inclusion. Adults Often Don’t. But we Can Learn

What if the secret to fixing diversity in the workplace is thinking more like a 10-year-old at recess?

5G-Connected Robotics Revolutionize Precision Crop Farming in Rural Scotland

A new Scottish partnership is advancing 5G-connected robotics to support precision agriculture and improve rural connectivity. Led by top research institutions and tech partners, the project develops robots for crop monitoring, targeted fertilisation, and soil assessment. Powered by portable 5G networks, the systems offer real-time, plant-level data to help farmers boost efficiency, cut input costs, and farm more sustainably.

James Hutton Institute Delivers Over £15 for Every £1 of Government Investment

The James Hutton Institute has been recognized for its economic impact and scientific excellence, with evaluations highlighting the real-world value of its research in sustainable land, crop, and resource management.

Plant Breeders: The Unsung Heroes in the Battle Against Misinformation

At the European UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy in the Netherlands, I highlighted the importance of communication in plant breeding, emphasizing that while breeders drive food security and sustainability, their crucial role often remains underrecognized.

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