House of Lords Debate Highlights ‘Existential Threat’ Facing UK Horticulture Seeds Supply
The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has welcomed comments from Conservative Peer the Earl of Caithness highlighting the existential threat facing horticulture growers’ access to improved varieties as a result of the increased costs, delays and bureaucracy facing the UK plant breeding and seeds sector post-Brexit.
Upside Down and Bolt Upright: Aphid Aerial Acrobatics Revealed
High speed Rothamsted camera shows posture and wingbeat patterns in detail for the first time. A state-of-the-art camera with high frame rates and high resolution has shown the flight dynamics […]
KWS Welcomes New Manitoba Sales Rep
KWS Seeds Canada has welcomed Dan Bolton as its new Manitoba sales representative. Dan graduated with a degree in agriculture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He gained experience […]
Mixing Mindfully: Register Now for our Next Webinar on IP Compliance in Forage Seed
The CFIA’s Winter SRM Survey Closes Next Week. We’ve Interviewed Important Thought Leaders but What Matters is YOUR Opinion
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Seed Regulatory Modernization winter survey closes on May 1. There’s still time to fill it out, and you can read the survey responses from the […]
Stakeholders Strongly Support the European Commission’s Biotech Strategy to Position the EU a Global Innovation Leader
Numerous industry associations and organizations, dedicated to fostering innovation in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, enthusiastically welcomed the European Commission’s latest initiative.
European Parliament Confirms Positive Vote on New Genomic Techniques; EU Council Urged to Embrace Plant Breeding Innovation
Euroseeds welcomes the European Parliament’s confirmation of its positive stance on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) Since the EU Council did not come to a conclusion on the file, yet it is now up to member states to pave the way for Europe embracing agricultural innovation.
Consortium Including Brazilians Sequences the Reference Genome of Arabica Coffee
In a groundbreaking effort, a consortium of scientists sequenced the reference genome of Arabica coffee, according to a peer reviewed publication and press release from the Fundação De Amparo À Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulo.
Why Does Europe Struggle to Get a New Seed Law That Still Works for Breeders and Farmers?
The current legislation has been the successful enabler of a thriving seed sector and guardian of farmers’’ access to the best possible seed across species, markets and final uses. The European Parliament’s approach puts much of this success story at unnecessary risk by eliminating the necessary tools to balance appropriate differentiation of specific requirements with principal rules and assurances for all.
European Parliament’s PRM Report is a Worrying Step Backwards for EU’s Agricultural Future
Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on a new Regulation for Plant Reproductive Material (PRM), Euroseeds reaffirms its strong concerns in relation to parts of the current text and renews its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue with the members of the European Parliament as well as Council and Commission in the further process.
The Optics of Pest Insect Invasions
Light-based sensors could offer an early warning system for detecting pollen beetle infestations in oilseed rape crops. Hi-tech optical sensors in fields could provide an effective means of monitoring beetle […]
Michigan State Launches Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program
A partnership between Michigan State University, state agencies, and local coalitions invests $5 million in research projects to enhance sustainability and climate resilience in farming.
The Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, initiated in 2024 and managed by Michigan State University’s (MSU) AgBioResearch along with MSU Extension, is designed to tackle pressing issues in agriculture with a focus on sustainability and climate resilience.
Bayer Partners with UK-Based Firm on Biological Insecticide
Bayer announced a partnership with AlphaBio Control, a UK-based firm, to obtain an exclusive license for a pioneering biological insecticide. A Bayer news release said the product, set for a potential 2028 launch, will be the first of its kind for field crops such as oilseed rape and cereals, following further development and registration.
Risky Business: Safeguarding Crop Diversity in Genebanks
Ensuring food security and agricultural resilience in the face of environmental challenges depends on preserving and utilizing crop diversity, according to the Crop Trust. Genebanks serve as the ultimate guardians of […]
Regen Ag — Fad or Future?
We take a look at what regenerative agriculture is, what seed companies are doing towards regenerative agriculture, and how they make sure their practices are a good fit with their intended region.
Norm Sissons is Helping Make Gene Editing a Practical Breeding Tool
When it comes to innovation in the area of biotechnology, few voices carry as much weight as Norm Sissons, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience in the […]
NDSU to Launch Bolley Agricultural Laboratory
The new agricultural research laboratory at North Dakota State University will be named Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, following the State Board of Higher Education’s endorsement last month. The North Dakota Legislature allocated $97 million for this project during the 2023 legislative session, with an additional $3.6 million contributed through philanthropy.
How Invisible Forces Influence Taste of Your Food
A study from the University of Colorado explored whether soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi could affect the flavor of crops, focusing specifically on the spiciness of mustard seeds. The work was recently published in the international journal New Phytologist.
Leadership Event Will Grow Seed Industry Professionals
Registration for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Leadership Summit is open. The 2024 even will take place in Nashville June 15-18 with the theme “GROW.” GROW is an acronym for Goal, Reach, Open, Work.
Better Tortillas and Whiskey Begin with Corn
Davis’ involvement in Mizzou’s Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) programs helped her discover an on-campus corn genetics lab run by Sherry Flint-Garcia, a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
We Asked the Interim Executive Director of Western Crop Innovations how the Program’s Staff is Coping. Read his Response
Mark Olson has been announced as the interim executive director for Alberta’s Western Crop Innovations as it transitions away from being the Field Crop Development Centre. Managing partner of Osborne […]
Major Water-Sharing Agreements are Ready as Drought Looms in Alberta, says Province
The largest water-sharing agreements in Alberta’s 118-year history are now in place to help respond to the risk of severe drought, the province says. After several dry years and El Niño […]
Ensuring Transparency and Stability for Staff is Paramount as Former FCDC Becomes Western Crop Innovations
Jason Lenz and the board of the new Western Crop Innovations (WCI) have a once in a lifetime opportunity ahead of them: to lay the foundation of the organization anew […]
Plant Stress Sensors Could Revolutionize Crop Management
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have introduced a pioneering pair of sensors crafted from carbon nanotubes in a recent news release. The nanotubes are designed to identify when plants are under stress from environmental factors like heat, light, or attacks by insects or bacteria. These sensors are sensitive to two crucial signaling molecules, hydrogen peroxide and salicylic acid, which plants use to orchestrate their stress responses.
Tennessee Student Studying Organic Wheat-Soybean Double-Crop Systems with SARE
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s Herbert College of Agriculture announced doctoral student Ravi Neelipally secured a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Graduate Student Research Grant. His research delves into the feasibility of organic wheat-soybean double-crop systems in the southeastern United States, a region increasingly adopting organic farming techniques.
Bending Your Beliefs
Ask yourself: when was the last time that you allowed yourself to change your mind on a deep-rooted belief? The key in that question is ‘allowed yourself’ because that is the […]
What are the Key Issues Facing the Seed Industry Around The Globe?
The Seed World editors — covering Canada, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. — discuss the biggest stories making waves right now in the seed industry.
It’s Not a Question of if Processors Should Innovate, but How to do so Strategically
The adoption of advanced technology holds immense value — no surprise there. But I’ve often thought about the dilemma of justifying the cost of such advancements, and when to make […]
New ‘U.S. Farmed’ Certification to appear soon on beer cans
The U.S. Farmed certification will appear on Anheuser-Busch beers beginning in May. It was developed by the American Farmland Trust (AFT)—a national nonprofit dedicated to helping farmers maintain their land and it assures consumers that at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are sourced from U.S. farms.
How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada
Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights […]
All the Commodity Market Headwinds Mean it’s Go Time!
Some of the macro trends are quite concerning. Highly productive agricultural land is being covered by solar panels. Chinese demand is falling due to a slowing economy. Soybeans from Brazil are showing up on the East Coast of the US because they are cheaper than beans grown in Delmarva.
Seed Management Academy Registration Filling Fast
The 2024 academy will introduce an innovative blended learning approach. Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business recently announced a new blended learning format for its acclaimed Seed Management […]
Support Your Microbiome Year-Round: From Seed to Stubble
If you want to provide your farm with year-round support, there are four spheres you need to know about: spermosphere, rhizosphere, phyllosphere and detritusphere. From seed to stubble, healthy and active microbes in each sphere […]
USDA Greenlights Bioengineered Hemp with Enhanced Medicinal Properties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved the cultivation of bioengineered hemp, known as Badger G, which has been genetically modified to increase levels of medicinal ingredients while reducing psychoactive compounds. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) concluded that this enhanced hemp variety is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk compared to traditionally cultivated plants.
New Kid on the Block Revolutionizes GMO Testing
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) offer huge opportunity in agriculture, but they bring with them significant regulatory, compliance and testing challenges. To meet marketability standards, support international trade, and keep consumers […]
New Kid on the Block Revolutionizes GMO Testing
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) offer huge opportunity in agriculture, but they bring with them significant regulatory, compliance and testing challenges. To meet marketability standards, support international trade, and keep consumers […]