Think Variety Registration Slows Innovation? Think Again, Say 3 Breeding Legends
Debate continues over Canada’s wheat variety registration system. While critics say it restricts innovation, supporters argue it ensures quality and market standards.
How These Leaders Quietly Shaped CSGA’s Future
From breeding legends to field-walking icons, CSGA’s awards night in Victoria celebrated seven giants who shaped Canada’s seed system.
Canadians are Craving Certainty, and our Industry Might be One of the Few They Still Trust
Pollster David Coletto says Canada has entered a new era of precarity—and it’s changing everything from how we vote to how we buy groceries.
43% of Crops Trace Back to One Facility in Saskatoon
Driving $17.8 billion in farm output, the Crop Development Centre proves public research pays big dividends.
Seed Rules Were Built for Yesterday’s Farms. CSGA is Rewriting Them for the Future
Canada’s seed certification system is undergoing major updates as CSGA modernizes standards, adds digital tools, and reviews key rules for seed production.
Why the U.S. is Looking North for Seed Certification Solutions
As global pressures mount and a new generation enters the fray, AOSCA is deepening its relationship with its Canadian counterparts.
How Mike Downie Turned a Seed Conference Into a Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival
An award-winning documentary filmmaker turned a quiet seed conference into a full-blown call to arms for Canadian storytelling.
Your AI Strategy Probably Sucks. Here’s How to Fix It
What if your next employee isn’t a person—but an AI that certifies seed fields, drafts SOPs, and rewrites the rules of farming in real time?
Productivity in Farming Now Hinges on Seed and Not Steel, Says FCC Economist
Why the next great agricultural leap won’t come from machines.
Seed Certification is Ripe for Disruption — and Jan Slaski is Leading the Charge
What if drones and AI could spot male plants in your seed field faster than a human—and rewrite the future of crop certification in the process?
The Ag Sector Has a Unity Plan. Will Carney Put it on the Map?
With a government that’s picking winners fast, insiders say we must act now or get left behind by steel, auto and energy.
Crop Trust Publica su Informe de 2024
Crop Trust celebra 20 años protegiendo la diversidad de cultivos; la Bóveda Global de Semillas de Svalbard alcanza 1,3 millones de muestras de 6.000 especies.
Climate Change Drives Record-Breaking Droughts, Says UN-Backed Report
A new UN-backed report reveals that since 2023, climate change and increasing pressure on land and water have triggered some of the most severe and widespread droughts in recorded history.
From Food to Fashion: How Agricultural Waste Could Shape the Clothes of the Future
Chalmers University of Technology research shows that agricultural residues from wheat and oats can serve as sustainable alternatives to wood pulp for cellulose-based textiles. This process is simpler and less chemical-intensive than traditional methods, adding value to underused crop byproducts. With cotton’s high environmental impact, non-wood biomass offers a promising, resource-efficient raw material for textile production.
Three Ways to Build Strong Roots, Strong Returns
This season underscores the importance of healthy root systems. Effective seed treatments and root-focused strategies help crops withstand stress and boost yield.
The Freedom to Adapt
In 2025, U.S. seed leaders navigate a changing landscape of climate, policy, and markets, emphasizing innovation, coalition-building, and strategic planning.
Los Científicos Descartaron su Agricultura en el Desierto. Ahora la Están Estudiando
En Arizona, el Dr. Michael Johnson aplica prácticas agrícolas indígenas ancestrales que demuestran ser más efectivas que los métodos modernos, destacando la sabiduría tradicional en la agricultura.
Anticipating and Navigating Regulatory Change: A Proactive Approach
Michelman takes a proactive approach to regulatory compliance by anticipating changes and leading industry standards. With a global team monitoring regulations and trends, they develop timely solutions—such as launching microplastic-free seed coatings ahead of deadlines—to ensure products meet and exceed compliance while delivering top performance.
Greener Fields, Richer Soils: Agroecology Proves Its Value
A four-year study on 17 English arable farms found that agroecological practices—like wildflower margins, cover crops, and soil enrichment—boost biodiversity and improve some crop yields. The most intensive system showed the greatest soil carbon gains and increases in beneficial insects and pest control. However, these methods remain economically unviable without public support.
BASF Canada Names New Managing Director
BASF Canada appoints Marian Van Hoek as managing director, effective July 1, 2025. She brings a decade of leadership experience within the company.
This Province Grows Nearly 30% of Canada’s Organic Seed — and it’s Not on the Prairies
British Columbia’s seed game is small but mighty. The Canadian Seed Grower’s Association will meet there this week for its annual meeting.
Euroseeds Calls on Danish Presidency for NGT Action
Leveraging Denmark’s leadership in plant breeding and seed production, Euroseeds expects the Danish EU presidency to prioritize finalizing the Regulation for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). These innovative tools, including gene editing, are vital for advancing European agriculture’s competitiveness, sustainability, and maintaining the EU’s global position in plant breeding research and seed exports.
Brazil and China Launch “Soy China” Initiative to Boost Sustainable Soybean Supply Chain, Challenging U.S. Exports
Brazil and China are developing “Soy China,” a new soybean supply chain designed to meet Chinese sustainability and quality standards. Modeled after the successful “Boi China” beef certification, this initiative aims to boost Brazil’s soybean market leadership and challenge U.S. exports.
Brasil y China Lanzan la Iniciativa “Soy China” para Impulsar la Cadena de Suministro Sostenible de Soja, lo que Supone un Desafío para las Exportaciones Estadounidenses
La iniciativa “Soy China” busca crear una cadena de suministro de soja brasileña certificada para cumplir los estándares de calidad y sostenibilidad chinos, fortaleciendo la posición de Brasil en el mercado global.
Reverse Evolution Reveals a Hidden Defense in Tomatoes
Wild tomatoes in the Galápagos are revealing a lost chemical defense that could reshape breeding strategies for tomatoes and other crops in the nightshade family. In this feature, UC Riverside’s Adam Jozwiak explains how a small enzyme change can flip tomato chemistry—and why breeders might want to reconsider the role of bitterness in fighting pests and reducing pesticides.
Canada’s Founding Farmers Did More Than Survive — They Engineered the Future
Before Canada had a flag or a federal government, farmers were already engineering the seed system that would feed a nation.
Norway’s New Women’s Euro Jersey Inspired by Svalbard Seed Vault Design
Ahead of the 2025 Women’s European Football Championships, Norway’s national team revealed a new jersey inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Featuring a bold triangular design and Arctic-inspired colors, the jersey pays tribute to the Vault’s role in protecting global crop diversity.
Missed World Seed Congress? Here’s What Everyone’s Still Talking About
Over 1,800 seed professionals from 70+ countries gathered in Istanbul to shape the future of seed through new partnerships, bold ideas, and innovations. This event was more than a conference—it was a global launchpad for what’s next in the seed industry. The video captures key moments, vibrant show floor scenes, and why “Let’s keep talking” became the event’s defining phrase.
Revolutionizing Plant Breeding in LATAM
Latin America’s strong agricultural sector attracts global attention, but breeders there mostly rely on Microsoft Excel—used by 95%—to manage data. While Excel is affordable and user-friendly for organizing phenotypic and some genotypic data, it falls short in advanced genetic analysis. Breeders often switch to tools like R for deeper insights, creating workflow inefficiencies and increasing error risks due to manual data transfers.
The Power of Your Voice: Why Advocating for the Seed Industry Matters
In June, over 160 ASTA representatives, including Iowa State Seed Science Center members, met with Congress to advocate for seed industry funding, trade, and regulatory harmonization.
No Microbe Is an Island: The Power of Partnership in Agricultural Innovation
Thirty-five years ago, working quietly in a University of Minnesota lab, I never imagined my research on tiny soil and plant microbes would impact farmers worldwide. Driven by curiosity about how these microbes support plants and thrive themselves, I built a diverse collection from fields with varied management. My goal was to understand these relationships deeply and explore how harnessing microbes could reduce agriculture’s dependence on pesticides and synthetic inputs.
A New Era for Peas, Lentils, and Faba Beans? FP Genetics and J4 Agri-Science Think So
FP Genetics partners with J4 Agri-Science to fund long-term pulse and oilseed crop development, securing priority access to new varieties for Canadian farmers.
Want to Go Regenerative? Start Here Before You Make Expensive Mistakes
Kevin Elmy of Cover Crops Canada explains why your soil might be screaming for help (and what to do about it).
The Top-10 Seed Industry Searches
Seed industry professionals are searching for a lot of things. But what are their Top 10 searches in 2025 so far?
Not Again: Let’s Talk Honestly About Insect Pollination
The publication highlights that up to 84% of commercial crops in Europe depend on animal pollination, mainly insects, and warns of a pollinator crisis harming food security and ecosystems due to declines in both wild and managed pollinators. However, Marcel Bruins, Editorial Director for Seed World Europe, notes that while wild pollinators are indeed declining, managed pollinators are actually increasing, challenging the notion that all pollinators are in decline.
Driving Regenerative Agriculture Forward: TUdi Launches Digital Tools to Monitor Soil Health
The National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) has developed potato cultivars resistant to major diseases, aiding local seed production. However, quality seed remains scarce—especially for small farms—due to high costs, limited access, and frequent need for renewal. This is worsened by the use of clonally propagated, uniform varieties, forcing many growers to rely on costly, poorly adapted imported seed.