Brian Rossnagel Inducted Into Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame for Transforming Barley and Oat Breeding
The longtime Crop Development Centre breeder developed more than 100 barley and oat varieties, including CDC Austenson
A Lifetime in Plant Breeding: Dr. Weikai Yan Honoured for Four Decades of Scientific Leadership
From his early studies in China to leading oat breeding efforts in Canada, Yan has built a career dedicated to helping breeders make better decisions
The Common Thread Running Through This Week’s Biggest Seed Industry Stories
New conversations about seed policy, concerns over declining agricultural R&D investment, and recognition for two of Canada’s most influential plant breeders all point to the same truth: innovation is built […]
Canada is Shifting Toward Innovation, But More Work Remains on Seed and IP Policy
Challenges around farm-saved seed and breeder remuneration continue to shape the future of Canadian agriculture, says UPOV’s new president
Plant Breeders May Need to Think Bigger Than Ever
USDA’s Scott Hutchins says plant breeders must expand their focus beyond the farm to include consumers, nutrition, human health and seed sovereignty.
Seed Priming Boosts Crop Resistance to Pests
Seed priming with methyl jasmonate, a natural plant defense molecule, may help crops resist insect and mite damage without slowing growth. The findings point to a potential tool for more sustainable crop protection.
Chile refuerza su rol en semillas biotecnológicas
Chile consolida su posición como centro estratégico para las semillas biotecnológicas, apoyado por su diversidad climática, capacidad técnica y participación en investigación agrícola internacional. Miguel Ángel Sánchez, director ejecutivo de ChileBio, destaca el papel de la biotecnología frente a la presión climática y alimentaria.
Svalbard Seed Vault Surpasses 1.4M Seed Samples
The Svalbard Seed Vault has surpassed 1.4 million seed samples after receiving 15,387 new deposits from 11 genebanks during its second opening of 2026, including first-time contributions from Burkina Faso and Niger.
Is Canada’s Ag Advantage Slipping? | On The Brink: Season 2 – Episode 6
Stuart Smyth of the University of Saskatchewan explains why Canada’s world-leading farm productivity rests on past Canadian agricultural R&D investment — and what happens to yields and grocery prices if it keeps slipping.
EU Agri-Food Coalition Welcomes NGT Regulation
A coalition of 30 European agri-food value chain organisations welcomes the NGT Regulation, calling it a major milestone for plant breeding innovation, sustainability and food security across Europe.
On-Farm Experimentation Turns Fields Into Labs
On-farm experimentation is expanding agronomic research beyond controlled plots and into working fields. Takashi Tanaka’s review explores how advanced analytics, machine learning and farmer-generated data can improve decisions while avoiding misleading conclusions.
What’s Next for Global Seed Testing? Three Conversations Shaping ISTA 2026
ISTA 2026 will bring seed testing professionals, regulators and industry leaders to Calgary to discuss global seed movement, accreditation, AI and emerging technologies. ISTA President Ernest Young shares the key conversations shaping the meeting.
From Seed Innovation to Grower ROI: Closing the On-Farm Gap
Seed technology often performs well in trials but faces new challenges on the farm. Emilhano Lima of Syngenta explains how field validation, grower collaboration and implementation support help turn innovation into measurable results.
Who Is the Seed Industry Innovating For?
Farmers from Idaho, Missouri, New Jersey and Saskatchewan say the future of seed innovation is about more than breakthrough technology. The next generation of products must help producers manage uncertainty, remain profitable, earn consumer trust and create a future worth passing on to the next generation. Their message to the seed industry is simple: innovation only matters if it solves real-world problems on the farm.
How AI is Changing Certified Seed Operations
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond breeding programs and into everyday certified seed operations. South Carolina seed grower Rachael Sharp is using AI to automate recordkeeping, improve logistics, guide crop rotation decisions and reclaim valuable time while managing the demands of certified seed production.
EU Committee Vote Advances New Genomic Techniques Rules
COMENVI voted in favour of the trilogue compromise on New Genomic Techniques, bringing the EU closer to a framework for innovative plant breeding. Euroseeds says the agreement could support farmers, breeders, food security and sustainability.
Wheat Roots Could Help Crops Use Nitrogen More Efficiently
BNI wheat research at AU Flakkebjerg is revealing how root compounds may help cereal crops use nitrogen more efficiently. The work could support future wheat varieties that maintain yield with less fertiliser and lower nitrogen losses.
Drought May Reduce Crops’ Iron Uptake
University of Calgary research suggests drought stress may reduce iron uptake in crops such as canola, rice and tomatoes. The findings point to a possible link between dry conditions, plant-microbe interactions and crop nutritional quality.
Award-Winning Plant Breeder Weikai Yan Says AI Won’t Replace Human Breeders
The 2026 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award recipient believes artificial intelligence will transform crop development, but says human expertise remains essential
Hybrid True Potato Seed Variety Registered in Netherlands
Solynta’s SOLHY019 has been added to the Dutch National Variety Register, marking the first registration of a diploid hybrid true potato seed variety in the Netherlands. The company says the approval supports broader international market access.
Andalusia Offers Organic Farming Lessons for Europe
A University of Córdoba study finds organic farming decisions in Andalusia are shaped by profitability, environmental values and social responsibility. The findings may help guide European policies aimed at expanding organic agriculture by 2030.
The Race to Accelerate Plant Breeding Innovation
Plant breeding is entering a new era. Bayer’s Julia Honold explains how AI, predictive breeding, digital twins and gene editing are helping researchers accelerate crop improvement, increase efficiency and develop more resilient crops for the future.
European Project Targets Crop Pest Threats with New Decision-Making Platform
PhytoPRISM, a €6 million EU Horizon project led by the University of Warwick, will develop a platform to help Europe coordinate responses to agricultural and forest pest invasions. The project brings together 15 institutions and stakeholders from eight countries.
Why The Best Solutions Aren’t Built for Everywhere
A conversation about local plant breeding, the unlikely rise of CDC Meadow, and the wisdom of honeybees all point to the same lesson: adaptation beats standardization. One of the assumptions […]
The Next Breeding Breakthrough Could Come From a Variety Nobody Uses Anymore
Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, makes the case that gene banks and crop genetic diversity — including wild relatives and forgotten varieties — are a foundational resource for the next generation of plant breeding innovation.
Breed Local, Grow Better | On The Brink: Season 2 – Episode 5
As plant breeding consolidates into fewer programs and locations, veteran Ontario agronomist Paul Sullivan makes the case that locally adapted genetics need breeders who stay close to the farms they serve.
Crop Microbiome Study Shows Plants Select Microbes
A new crop microbiome study shows that crop species, rather than soil type, primarily determines the beneficial functions provided by root-associated microbes. Researchers say the findings could support microbial inoculants and microbiome-assisted breeding for sustainable agriculture.
Euroseeds Raises EUDR Concerns for Soybean Seeds
Euroseeds is calling on the European Commission to exempt certified soybean seeds for sowing from the EU Deforestation Regulation. The organization says their inclusion would burden the seed sector without advancing the Regulation’s environmental objectives.
Agri-Food Sector Seeks Strategic Role in EU Fund
The agri-food sector is urging EU policymakers to recognise agriculture, aquaculture and food systems as strategic areas within the future European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. Signatories say dedicated research and innovation funding is essential for resilience, sustainability and competitiveness.
Why Seed Matters More Than Ever
From crop production and sustainability to innovation and global food security, nearly every agricultural advancement begins with seed. In this month’s editor’s note, Aimee Nielson reflects on why seed remains agriculture’s most important starting point.
Organic Farming Could Help Crops Resist Drought
Organic farming may help crops resist drought by enriching beneficial soil bacteria linked to plant resilience.
The French Corn Seed Industry: A Model of Excellence Based on Innovation
The French corn seed industry has built a global reputation through variety innovation, specialized seed production, strict quality control and strong collective organization. Its integrated model helps deliver reliable, high-performing seed for farmers facing climate and productivity challenges.
The Future of Seed Innovation Starts Before the Seed Exists
The Baker Center at Iowa State University supports seed industry innovation by advancing plant breeding, genetics, AI-enabled tools, and workforce training. Its work helps seed companies accelerate stronger, more resilient products from research to commercialization.
Democratizing Gene Editing: Pairwise’s Blueprint for the Future of Agriculture
Pairwise gene editing could expand access to advanced breeding tools and accelerate crop improvement across agriculture.
Back to the Future and the Power of Seed
ASTA Chair Bryan Gerard brings family legacy, entrepreneurial energy and a steady belief in innovation to his year leading the seed industry.
Heritage Driving What Comes Next For Hybrid Rye
For 170 years, KWS has focused on plant breeding. Today, that long-term approach is helping North American growers adopt hybrid rye and other resilient crops that improve productivity, diversification and sustainability.