Tecnología NIR de bajo costo acelera la autenticación y trazabilidad del café
Investigaciones de Embrapa Rondônia demuestran que la espectroscopía de infrarrojo cercano (NIR) permite identificar rápidamente el origen del café y detectar adulteraciones a bajo costo. El método no destructivo genera “huellas químicas” del grano, refuerza indicaciones geográficas y combate fraudes. Validada para café brasileño, la técnica mejora trazabilidad, certificación y acceso a mercados de especialidad.
What’s Wrong With International Governance These Days?
International agreements born in the 1990s era of globalization shaped trade, climate, and biodiversity governance through multilateral cooperation. Three decades later, rising geopolitical tensions, stalled COPs, and growing lobbying have weakened progress. The article argues for smaller, trust-based coalitions outside major forums to revive collaboration, deliver solutions, and strengthen global governance beyond the COP “circus.”
Joint Actions, Resilient Futures: The Global Seed Community’s Next Chapter Unfolds in Lisbon
Seed sits at the center of food security, sustainable agriculture, and global trade transformation. The ISF World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon brings together seed and plant breeding leaders to address climate volatility, innovation, regulation, and markets. Under the theme “Joint Actions, Resilient Futures,” the Congress advances collaboration to build resilient, science-based seed systems worldwide.
Editing Gluten Without Breaking Bread
UC Davis researchers are advancing wheat by removing its most reactive gluten proteins and maintaining dough strength, unlocking new potential for performance and health. For decades, gluten has been central […]
How Common Are Gluten-Related Disorders? The Numbers Tell the Story
Celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. In the United States, an estimated 1% of the population has celiac disease, with research showing global prevalence rates of roughly 0.7% to 1.4%. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity may be even more widespread, with estimates ranging from 1% to 13%. Because gluten exposure can trigger serious autoimmune damage and long-term health complications, growing awareness of these conditions is driving demand for innovation, including emerging advances like edited wheat lines being developed at UC Davis.
Meet Ag’s Power Duo: Chitosan and Microbes
Some of the most important battles a crop fights happen before it ever sees daylight. Cold soils, salt stress, and early-season pathogens all collide at the seed, and the outcome […]
INTA and Palo Verde launch three new alfalfa cultivars
INTA and Palo Verde introduced three new alfalfa varieties in Córdoba after 13 years of joint R&D. Amaya PV INTA targets high-quality hay, Kumen PV INTA improves productivity in saline soils, and Maltetén PV INTA reduces bloat risk under grazing. The releases strengthen forage options for diverse livestock systems and environments across Argentina.
“One Hybrid Fits All’ and Other Crazy Things You’d Never Say to a Farmer
Biologicals aren’t interchangeable—and the market signals it. Just as farmers don’t treat all hybrids as equal, biologicals deserve performance-based evaluation tied to fit, conditions, and repeatability. Today’s advantage isn’t “biology,” but precision: strain identification, purpose-built collections, clearer modes of action, better formulation and delivery, and consistent field results. Differentiation builds trust, improves placement, and accelerates adoption.
The Future of IP in the Regulation of NGTs
The EU has reached a provisional agreement on New Genomic Techniques regulation, classifying Category 1 NGT plants as equivalent to conventional breeding and outside GMO rules. The framework increases transparency around patents, mandates disclosure, and launches reviews on intellectual property impacts, aiming to balance innovation, fair access, and competitiveness in the European plant breeding sector.
CFIA Job Cuts Confirmed as Ottawa Targets $235M in Savings
The agency has confirmed 587 job cuts while unions say austerity measures could weaken food safety inspections, research, and emergency response capacity. It’s not yet known what effect, if any, […]
What we Know So Far About the Reported Cuts to AAFC Staffing, Research Stations
AAFC has publicly announced that seven research stations will be shut down as part of a planned workforce reduction
What AAFC Research Station Closures Could Mean for Canadian Seed Innovation
The impact won’t show up tomorrow, but five to 10 years from now, farmers may feel it in lost yield gains and weak disease packages
The Regulation Race Is Redrawing Seed Innovation
Gene editing is accelerating plant breeding across crops and regions, but global regulatory frameworks may determine who gets to innovate. In a recent webinar, regulatory veteran Daniel Jenkins explains how policy decisions in Latin America, Europe and beyond are shaping the future of seed innovation.
Europe’s Fields May Dry Out More — Even With Higher Rainfall
University of Reading research published in Nature Geoscience (14 January 2026) warns Europe and western North America will face more frequent, intense crop droughts as warming accelerates soil moisture loss, even where annual rainfall rises. The study maps growing-season drought hotspots and shows dry springs raise summer drought risk. Findings underscore urgent needs for drought-tolerant crops and improved water management.
INTA y Palo Verde lanzan tres nuevos cultivares de alfalfa
INTA y Palo Verde presentaron tres nuevas variedades de alfalfa en Córdoba tras 13 años de investigación conjunta. Amaya PV INTA se orienta a heno de alta calidad, Kumen PV INTA tolera suelos salinos y Maltetén PV INTA reduce el riesgo de empaste en pastoreo. Los materiales amplían soluciones forrajeras para sistemas ganaderos diversos en Argentina.
Feeding Pigs Smarter: How Hybrid Rye Is Changing Danish Farming
Hybrid rye is transforming Danish pig production by improving feed efficiency, animal welfare, and sustainability. In this KWS Seed World Visits episode, farmers and experts show how rye performs on poor soils, supports calmer pigs and healthier digestion, and enables 60–70% inclusion in feed. Learn how it can cut nitrogen up to 25%, water 20%, and CO₂ by 70 kg per ton.
Alberta MLA Urges Action After AAFC Layoffs Threaten Lacombe-Area Ag Research
With 112 positions expected to be cut locally, Jennifer Johnson says commissions and associations must unite and push for a reversal
Plant Breeding Innovation Clears Next Hurdle for EU NGT Framework
Euroseeds welcomes the ENVI committee’s strong approval of the NGT Regulation compromise text, moving the EU closer to a modern framework for new genomic techniques. Council confirmation is expected in February or early March, followed by final ENVI and plenary votes likely in April, paving the way for timely implementation to support European agriculture, competitiveness, and food security.
Chile proposes resolution to evaluate New Breeding Techniques in crops
Chile is strengthening responsible agricultural biotechnology with a draft SAG resolution formalizing how New Breeding Techniques (NBT) plant materials are assessed before field use. The case-by-case process distinguishes NBT products from transgenic GMOs, boosting legal certainty, transparency, oversight, and safeguards. A 60-day public consultation is open, supporting innovation for climate resilience, nutrition, and sustainable food production in Chile.
Seeds of Change, Part II – Breeding, Footprints and Future Pathways
In Part 2 of Seed World Europe’s Seeds of Change series, leaders from Bayer, Semillas Fitó, RiceTec and Syngenta explain how sustainability in the seed sector goes beyond field traits to include operations, culture and collaboration. Through shared action under ISF’s ESR-CG, companies are aligning breeding innovation, measurable targets and internal practices to deliver more productive, responsible and climate-resilient agriculture.
Why Andrew Coyne Says Productivity is Now a National Security Issue
The Globe and Mail columnist argues that slow growth, limited competition, and trade vulnerability threaten Canada’s economic resilience
From Kenya to the Corn Belt
On a bright afternoon in an Illinois corn field, members of the local African diaspora community got a taste of home while organic corn farmers caught a glimpse of future innovation. Hosted by UIUC crop sciences graduate student Chris Mujjabi, the “Kasooli Party” celebrated white maize and the cultural and research connections linking Kenya to the Corn Belt.
TomViz Platform Opens Access to Tomato Gene Regulatory Networks
A Plant Communications study mapped tomato gene regulation across root, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed using 10,000+ expression datasets and machine learning. Researchers built organ-specific gene regulatory networks, confirming known ripening and ABA pathways and identifying new regulators, including SlGBF3 for water-stress response. All networks are available in TomViz, enabling faster discovery for stress-resilient tomato breeding.
Euroseeds Calls for Swift Adoption of the NGT Regulation
As ENVI prepares to vote on the EU New Genomic Techniques Regulation on 28 January, Euroseeds urges support for the agreed compromise. Following successful trilogue negotiations, Euroseeds warns that delays would harm plant breeding innovation, farmer competitiveness, climate-resilient crops, and Europe’s long-term food security, calling for swift adoption and implementation.
Chile propone resolución para evaluar Nuevas Técnicas de Mejoramiento Genético en cultivos
Chile refuerza el uso responsable de la biotecnología agrícola con un borrador de resolución del SAG que formaliza la evaluación de materiales vegetales desarrollados con Nuevas Técnicas de Mejoramiento (NBT) antes del uso en campo. El análisis caso a caso diferencia NBT de transgénicos, aumenta certeza jurídica, transparencia y supervisión. Hay consulta pública 60 días para impulsar innovación, resiliencia climática y alimentos.
Researchers Develop Soybean Line with Stronger Resistance to Aphids and Mosaic Virus
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers developed a new soybean line with improved resistance to soybean aphids and soybean mosaic virus, combining Rag2 and Rsv1-h traits to support future breeding and pest management efforts.
Myth vs. Reality: The Cold Truth About the AIM Act
The AIM Act may feel like a 2035 issue, but refrigerant supply, equipment decisions and cold storage planning are already shifting. In this video, Addie Waxman of McCain Foods and Victoria Stamper of United Potato Growers of Canada explain why the seed industry should pay attention now.
La plataforma TomViz abre el acceso a las redes reguladoras de genes del tomate
Un estudio en Plant Communications mapeó la regulación génica del tomate en raíz, hoja, flor, fruto y semilla usando más de 10.000 datasets y aprendizaje automático. Se construyeron redes reguladoras específicas por órgano, confirmando vías de maduración y ABA e identificando nuevos reguladores, como SlGBF3 para estrés hídrico. Las redes están en TomViz, acelerando la mejora de tomates resilientes.
ISF Papers Outline a Roadmap for Climate-Resilient, High-Yield Agriculture
Sustainability in agriculture starts with seed, argue Ben Rivoire and Khaoula Belhaj-Fragnière of the International Seed Federation. New ISF papers highlight how plant breeding innovation boosts yields, resilience and resource efficiency while reducing environmental impact. From climate-resilient varieties to supportive, science-based policy, the seed sector is positioned as a foundation for sustainable, productive and inclusive global food systems.
AAFC Staffing Cuts Spark Concern Across Canada’s Seed and Plant Breeding Sector
Canadian Wheat Research Coalition warns federal job reductions could weaken public plant breeding
When Seed Plant Design is Done Right, ROI Follows
Trust isn’t built in the boardroom. It’s built in real-world decisions that determine whether a plant runs smoothly or sits idle at the worst possible time
Why Wheat Yields in North-West Europe Have Stalled
Wheat yields in north-west Europe have plateaued since the mid-1990s, stabilising around 7–9 tonnes per hectare despite continued genetic gains. Wageningen University & Research analysis combining trials, Dutch farm data and crop modelling finds climate change has not limited yields and has slightly boosted them. The main constraint is on-farm management, with crop rotations and soil impacts leaving 67–114 kg/ha/year unrealised.
Turning Insight into Impact: How phenoLytics Is Redefining Seed Phenotyping
phenoLytics won first prize at the 2025 Euroseeds InnovAction Stage for its high-throughput 3D and 4D X-ray CT seed phenotyping solutions. The technology delivers ground-truth data on seed and seedling quality across the entire value chain, enabling faster, objective decisions in breeding, processing and quality control while reducing waste and unlocking greater genetic and commercial value.
Collaboration Links Genomic Analysis with Regulatory Studies and Field Trials
Staphyt and GenoScreen have signed a collaboration agreement combining genomics, regulatory studies, and field trials for microbial product development. The partnership links genomic characterisation, bioinformatics, laboratory studies, and efficacy trials to support European regulatory requirements for biostimulants and biocontrol solutions, from proof-of-concept through regulatory field validation and market authorisation.
UPDATE: List of AAFC Research Stations Reportedly Being Shuttered Grows
Facilities being shut down in wake of major job cuts include AAFC Lacombe in Alberta and AAFC Indian Head in Saskatchewan
Canada’s Agricultural Innovation is Falling Behind as R&D Spending and Seed Reform Stall
Our seed and plant-breeding systems are stuck in a risk-averse, underfunded loop, experts say