Chicago, Illinois, USA
December 7, 2012

The American Seed Trade Association concluded its annual Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference (CSS) and Seed Expo today – the largest in recent history with over 2,800 attendees and 150 exhibitors – with seed breeders, growers and distributors and seed equipment manufacturers optimistic about the future of the industry, said ASTA president and CEO Andrew W. Lavigne.

“Despite the worst drought in America in 56 years, the seed industry is reaping the benefits of its considerable investments in science and technology,” said LaVigne. “There is still concern about the challenges ahead – both man-made and from nature – but the bottom line is that these advances are contributing to more financial stability for American farmers and more food security around the world.”

Among the news to come out of the conference and several of the standing-room-only sessions were the following:

• Dow AgroScience announced the Enlist E3™ soybean brand, the first three-gene herbicide tolerant soybean;
• BASF provided an update on the impact of its acquisition of Becker Underwood;
• The CropLife Foundation presented preliminary findings from its comprehensive report on the benefits of precision seed protection, which will be released in the first quarter of 2012 as part of a nationwide education program conducted with ASTA;
• Economist Dan Basse provided an economic review and prediction for worldwide corn, soybean and grain markets amidst growing demand and anticipated continued global drought conditions;
• ASTA signed an historic MOU with the China National Seed Association to promote innovation and collaboration;
• Updates were provided on the Generic Event Marketability and Access Accord framework for transitions from patented biotech traits to generics; and more.

Audio interviews with Dan Basse, Andy LaVigne and many other seed industry leaders are available for use at: http://agwired.com/category/asta/
 

Website: http://www.betterseed.org/

Published: December 7, 2012