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SEEDWORLD.COMThisbusinessexecutivebringsadifferentstyleofleadershiptotheboardroomOctober2014LEADINGTHEWAYDIFFERENTISGOODANYTIMEYOUORYOURORGANIZATIONBROADENYOURTHINKINGYOULEARN.RISADEMASIGRASSLANDOREGONWORKINGTOACHIEVEUNIFORMITYINLABORATORYTESTINGExploretheScienceofResistanceDISCOVERCOVERCROPBENEFITSMitesMakeaMightyImpactonPollinatorsTURFTRENDS OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM1CONTENTSOCTOBER201408TrackingTurfTrendsFromlawnstosportsfieldstallfescueisindemand.PoisedforGrowthThenativeandconservationseedindustriesbenefitfromsustainableinitiatives.SowingSeedsofSuccessRisaDemasibreaksthemoldsettingthestageforotherstofollowinherfootsteps.RegulationRealmTimeandcostefficienciesmakecommercializingabiologicalproductlucrative.FarmersDemandaDifferentStrategyDiscoverwhatyouneedtoknowtodelivertherightmixofforageseed.MiteInfestationLearnhowtoprotecthoneybeesfromtheseparasiticpredators.LicensetoLearnTheSeedLeadershipProgramexposesparticipantstodifferentareasofmanagement.WhatsUpwithWheatCompanieshaveinvestedmillionsofdollarsintowheatresearch.ThepipelinehasbeenbuiltbutwhenandwhatwillitdeliverFeatures08101218222426281224 TondoutmoreaboutBayerSeedGrowthand100YearsofInnovationsimplyvisitourwebsitewww.seedgrowth.bayer.comThistimelineprovidesageneraloverviewofBayerSeedGrowthsdevelopmentovertheyearsfromaglobalperspective.Asaresulttheproductswhicharementionedarenotregisteredineverycountry.Nationallabelinstructionshavetobereadandfollowed.Useplantprotectionproductssafely.Forfurtherproductinformationvisitwww.bayercropscience.com.1926MechanicalseedtreaterinventedinUSABenGustafsoninventstherstmechanicalseedtreaterfordustapplicationsintheUSA.1961FirstsalesofMesurolMesurolprotectscornandbeetseedagainstpheasantscrowsanddovesandcombatsearlyinfestationwithfrities.1989LaunchfungicidRaxilislaudesignedtoprovideeprsuchassmutsandSeptactiveingredienttebucocost-benetratioandiscanbeusedasadryDSdressingES.1929LaunchofCeresanBayerlaunchesCeresanadryseedtreatmentwithrelativelylowmercurycontentbutmuchgreaterefcacythananypreviousmercury-basedseedtreatmentproducts.Ceresanbecomesthebenchmarkinseedtreatmentforthenext50years.1914UspulunlaunchedinGermanyBayerlaunchesUspuluninGermanytherstliquidseedtreatmenttoprovideeffectiveprotectionagainstthefungaldiseasesthathadpreviouslydevastatedcerealcrops.1946FirstpatentforseedpelletingtechnologyCrsobtainsitsrstpatentforseedpelletingtechnologywhichfacilitatesthesowingofsugarbeetseeds.1986FirstBayerSeCenteropensBayeropenstherstSeedGrowthCMonheimtoprovideservicessuchafurtherdevelopmentoftreatmenttetestingofnewformulationscustotechnicalsupportandstewards1942MorkitprotectsseedfrombirdsMorkitisthersteffectivesolutiontotheproblemoftheseriouslossescausedbybirdsandinparticularcrowseatingcerealseeds.1979Baytanreplacesmercury-basedtreatmentsTheinnovativeactiveingredientinBaytantriadimenolmakesanon-mercury-basedseedtreatmentpos-sible.Baytannotonlyprotectscerealseedagainstabroadspectrumofdiseasesbutalsopromoteshealthyrootgrowthandenhancesfrostanddroughtresistance.1987LaunchoftCrslaunchePeridiam.Byofcropse.g.corsunowerveganddifferentcdifferingmarkeatrulyglobalf1984Developmentofwater-basedformulationsBayerscientistsdevelopwater-basedformulationsbrandedasSibutolintheformofuser-friendlysuspensionsofferingexcellentdosagepropertiesoutstandingadherencecharacteristicsoncerealseedandgoodprimaryandsecondaryseedapplicationqualities.Moreovertheseedtreatercanbesubsequentlycleanedquitesimplywithwater. ofon-seedeRaxilchedasabroad-spectrumfungicidetectionagainstseed-bornediseasesrianodorum.BasedonthenewazoleRaxiloffersaveryfavorableeffectiveinlowdoses.MoreoveritslurryWSliquidFSoremulsionedGrowthenterinsinitialandchnologiesersupporthip.2003LaunchofrootprotectorGalmanoGalmanoislaunchedasahighlyeffectiveon-seedmeansofprotectingtherootsofyoungcerealplants.Galmanopromotesvigorousrootgrowthenablingplantstosurvivestresssituationsinautumnwinteranddroughtperiodsaswellasprotectingrootsfromthetake-alldisease.2013LaunchoftheBayerSeedGrowthcompetencebrandTheBayerSeedGrowthcompetencebrandislaunchedasacomprehensiveandfullyintegratedsystemforon-seedapplicationswiththeaimofhigh-lightingBayersfourfoldcompetenceinproductscoatingsequipmentandservicesfromasinglesource.hePeridiambrandthelmcoatingbrandferingsolutionsforvirtuallyallcottoncanolacerealsricetablessoybeanandpastureoatingsolutionstailoredtotneedsPeridiamdevelopsintoilmcoatingbrand.2012OnDemandSystemintroducedBayerintroducestheOnDemandSystemafullyautomatedseedapplicationsystemdesignedtomaketreatingseedseasiermoreaccurateandmoreefcient.2012EverGolregisteredinNorthAmericaEverGolaninnovativeSDHIseedtreatmentfungicidealsopromotesrootgrowthforfastercropemergenceensuresconsistentlybettercropestablishmentandsupportsresistancemanagementthroughanewclassofchemistry.EverGolisregisteredforuseonsoybeancorncottoncanolapulsesandcerealsandlaunchedinCanadaandtheUSAin2013.1991Launchofon-seedinsecticideGauchoThelaunchofGauchothebrandnameoftheactiveingredientimidaclopridsetsnewstandardsincontrollingsuckingandbitingpests.Thisnew-generationon-seedinsecticiderevolutionizespestcontrolbyreplacingtheleaftreatmentspreviouslyrequiredintheearlystagesofplantgrowth.2011FirstregistrationofEMESTOTherst-everregistrationofEMESTOin2011isfollowedbytherstsalesofTitanEMESTOinCanadain2012forthecontrolofRhizoctoniaandFusariumaswellasmajorinsectsinpotatoes.Thisseed-appliedfungicidewhichcontainsthenew-generationSDHIactiveingredientpenufensignicantlyimprovesthequalityofpotatoesandhelpstoincreaseyields.2003Launchofon-seedinsecticidePonchoPonchoaseed-appliedinsecticidecontainingtheneonicotinoidactiveingredientclothianidinoffersoutstandingearly-seasonprotectionforsugarbeetcornandsunowersagainstsuckingandbitingpestssuchascornrootwormleafhoppersrootmaggotseabeetleswirewormsblackcutwormsspringtailsblackbeanaphidsandleafminers.Ponchohelpstomaximizestandcountsincreaserecoverablesugarandimproveprotperhectare.PonchowasarevolutionarybreakthroughincornseedtreatmentintheUSAastherstseedtreatmentproductcapableofeffectivelycontrollingthedevastatingpestthecornrootworm.Ponchocompletelyreplacedtheneedtoapplyold-fashionedgranularproductsin-furrowatplantingbringingamyriadofadvantagesandbenetstothecorngrower.TheintroductionofPonchoincornintheUSAwasagamechangerincornproduction. 4SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014CONTENTSOCTOBER2014InEveryIssueCoverCropShowcaseDiscoverthebenefitsofcovercrops.ForageFrenzyNewvarietieshelpfarmersandranchersimproveherdproductivity.WaterWorriesPlantbreederssharehowtheyreworkingtocopewithwaterstress.ACallforUniformityNewcollaborationshelptobringmoreuniformitytoseedtesting.ProperlyPairPairingtherightseedwiththerightneedisessentialinhelpingfarmershaveagoodexperience.Featurescontinued3240445054StrategyExplorethesciencebehindweedandinsectresistance.CrossPollinationRegulatoryRoundupWorldStatusIndustryNewsSince1915365860626470Columns3472InternationalAgriculturalDevelopmentDennisThompsonsharesthecomplexitiesassociatedwithdevelopingaseedsystemfromscratch.GiantViewsUniquecollaborationsandin-personmeetingspaveapathwayforprogress.WEBWHEREONTHEForbonuscontentandmoreinformationontheseissuescheckoutSeedWorld.com.Hereyoullfindvideosextraphotosandchartsandnotesfromourjournalists.BelowarejustafewhighlightsfromthisissueSeedWorld.comBiologicalBreakDownDiscovertheworldofbiologicalsfromtheverybasicsofwhatabiologicalisorisnottohowtheyareregulatedandfromtodaysmarketplacetotheirroleinthefutureofagriculture.SeedWorld.comPollinatorParasitesLearnhowscientistsareworkingtohelpbeekeepersrotatemodesofactiontopreventresistancetomitesthroughatechnologythatalsoallowsbeestoselftreat.DLFIS.comForageSpecies_and_VarietiesFestuloliumAfterreadingthearticleaboutselectingtherightforagemixonpage22youcanlearnmoreaboutDLFPickseedsfestulolium.Genera.Biofortified.orgBesuretocheckoutthenewdatabaseGENERAthatcompilesalltheindependentpeer-reviewedresearchongeneticallymodifiedorganismsandgeneticallyengineeredfoods.PhotographybyTimCoburnRisaDemasiapartneratGrasslandOregonisarolemodelintheseedindustry.ShesthefirstwomantobeelectedtotheASTAboardofdirectorsandin2015shewillbethefirstwomantochairtheassociation.OntheCover32Wevegotinnovationpriceanddemandvolatilityandtheconvergenceofscienceandideologyinreturninglandscapestotheirnativestate.MarkMustoepage10 6SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014PUBLISHERShawnBrooksbrookissuesink.comEDITORJulieDeeringjdeeringissuesink.comSTAFFEDITORSMarkHalsallLindsayHoffmanShannonSchindleMarcZienkiewiczMARKETINGCraigArmstrongcarmstrongissuesink.comBrendaEzinickibezinickiissuesink.comMaeganMarriottmmarriottissuesink.comSamMostafasmostafaissuesink.comHitenShahhshahissuesink.comCREATIVETheresaKurjewiczLesleyNakonechnyDIGITALKyleDratowanyJillHollosiCalebMacDonaldVinceMendellaLynneRoyOCTOBER2014THEINKERSMAINOFFICE1395-AS.ColumbiaRoadPMB360GrandForksND58201-9907SUBSCRIPTIONSSeedWorldispublishedsixtimesayear.NorthAmericansubscriptionratesareoneyearUSD70.00twoyearsUSD120.00.InternationaloneyearUSD95.00.Tosubscribepleaseemailsubscribeissuesink.com.WANTMORESEEDWORLDFollowusonlineatSeedWorld.comfacebook.comSeedWorldtwitter.comseedworldmagCIRCULATIONDeanFrenchdfrenchissuesink.comCONTRIBUTORSKarenBreenMelissaShipmanDennisThompsonEDITORIALBOARDR.B.HalabyAgriCapitalBettyJones-BlissPurdueUniversityJohnSchoeneckerHarrisMoranSeedCo.JimSchweigertGroAllianceTomWiltroutDowAgroSciencesKarenWithersPenningtonSeedRonWulfkuhleGreenLeafGeneticsPleaserecyclewherefacilitiesexist.Nopartofthismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.PrintedintheUnitedStates.Q.ABOUNTIFULHARVESTGIVESUSPLENTYOFREASONTOBETHANKFUL.WHATAREYOUMOSTTHANKFULFORTHISSEASON1.Iamthankfulforalovingfamilybaseballandbiotech2.Immostthankfulfriendsandfamilyandbeingaroundthosewhotrulycareabouteachother.3.Immostthankfulformydaughterwhowillsoonbetwo.Seeinghercuriosityfortheworldaroundherhasmademelookateverythingwithfresheyes.4.Imthankfulforagribusinesscontinueddriveandcommitmentinspiteofthemiserablepublicperceptionofag.5.FromtheseasonalhelptothefulltimestaffImthankfulforeveryoneshardworkwhichisrequiredforasuccessfulyear.Withouteveryonepullinginthesamedirectionitwouldntbepossible. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM7THERESONLYONEWAYTOHAVEATWO-WAYCONVERSATION.Ourtraitsandgeneticsmayleadtheindustrybuttheystillneedsupportfrompeoplewhoperformonasimilarlevel.Peoplewhobringvalueintheformofinsightandunderstanding.Youcanexpectthiskindofsupporttohelpyousucceedinthemarketplace.Andknowthatyouredoingbusinesswithpeoplewhollalwaystaketimeforgoodconversation.Feelfreetocallusat800-445-0956orvisitGreenLeafGenetics.comformoreinformation.2014Syngenta.GreenLeafGreenLeafGeneticstheAllianceFramePurposeIcontheGreenLeaflogoandtheSyngentalogoaretrademarksofaSyngentaGroupCompany.MW19194034-SW0914 8SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014THETURFSEEDsectormightnotbefast-pacedwhenitcomestochangebutthatshouldntbemis-takenforalackofinnovation.TherearemoreimprovedturfseedscomingoutoftestingfacilitiesallthetimesaysRobVanscoyaseedspecialistfortheWisconsin-basedLaCrosseSeed.Theremightnotbeanythingsignifi-cantrightnowbuttherearesomecolorimprovementsandaddedresistancetoissueslikedroughtinsectsanddisease.Seedsupplierskeepupwiththesenewdevelopmentsinturfseednomatterhowminorthechangesmightseem.WerealwayslookingatnewvarietiesbothfromourusualvendorsandfromoutsidecompanieswhomighthavesomethingnewanduniquesaysFredMohrturfseedmanagerforSeedwayLLCheadquar-teredinHallNewYork.Howevernewvarietiesmightnotofferdrasticallydifferentcharacteristics.FromoneyeartothenextwealwaysseenewnamesofvarietiespoppingupbutasfarasnewcharacteristicsthedifferenceswontberealnoticeableMohrsays.Thechangeismoregradual.OnereasonVanscoysaysprogressisntfastisduetofewerturfseedacresbeingplanted.Whenwewentthroughthehousingcrashseveralyearsagothatcausedalackofdemandsowevebeenworkingthroughthestockthatwasleftfrompreviousharvests.Andnowthegrassseedindustryiscomingbackaroundhesaysmentioningtherecouldbeingreplacedbysome-thingnewerandbetter.Stillthedevelopmentprocessislongandcantakeanaverageof10yearsforanewvarietytobereleased.Whenanewvarietyisreleasedtheyvelikelybeenallowsittobemoredroughttolerantsoitconserveswaterandgrowsbetterindrierareashesays.Mohrsaysincreasingthetimeaturffieldwillstaygreenisalsopopularwithresearchers.Theyrelookingforsomethingthatwillhaveanearlierspringgreenupandthatmightstaygreeninthefallseasonalittlelongerhesays.AgaintheimprovementsarentlikelytoboastanewvarietythatwillmagicallystaygreenuntilDecember.ItsgoingtobesubtleandslowbuttheimprovementisstillthereMohrsays.Forathleticfieldapplica-tionsresearchersfocusonthewearandtearthatpar-ticularvarietiescanaccom-modate.VanscoymentionsonestudyatTheOhioStateUniversitythatusesalegsimulationmachinetostudysportsmovementsnotonlyhowthegrasswearsdownbutalsohowthelegrespondstotwistingandturningondifferentturfs.Theyretryingtoidentifyresistancetoavoidsportsinjuryhesays.Howevertheyalsostudyturfwearasitrelatestoinjury.OfcoursewhenaseedisdevelopedthatbenefitssportingfieldsVanscoysaystheresnoreasonthatsameturfcouldntalsobeachievedinahomelawn.Itcomesdowntocostandmainte-nancehesays.SWCompaniescontinuetobringnewvarietiestothemarketplacedeliveringincrementalimprovementsthataddupovertime.MelissaShipmanSLOWANDSTEADYWINSTHETURFTRENDRACEWeveseenahugeincreaseintheuseofturf-typetallfescuebecausethequalityhasimproveddramatically.FredMohrbeashortageofsupplyasadjustmentsaremade.ItsaslowprocessVanscoysays.Theresnonewturfthatisgoingtobemagicallybetterbuteachyearwegetvarietiesthatarealittlemoredroughttolerantalittlegreenerandalittlemoreresistanttodisease.Itsnotamajorleapforwardbutitsprogress.Infacttheseimprove-mentshavebeenmovingatafasterpace.TherearenewvarietiescomingouteveryyearreplacingtheolderonesMohrsays.Iremember15to20yearsagoitwasntuncommontohaveavarietyinthecata-logsforeight10oreven15years.Nowtheyusuallyonlystayonthemarketforfiveorsixyearsbeforeworkingonthatfor15or20yearsbeforeweevenhearaboutitMohrsays.FescueFrenzyOnetrendMohrhasseenemergeisthetransitionfrommostlyryeandbluegrasstomoreturf-typetallfescuebeingusedintheNortheast.Weveseenahugeincreaseintheuseofturf-typetallfescuebecausethequalityhasimproveddramaticallyhesays.Itisnaturallyfarmoredroughttolerantwhichisaproblemwevehadhereforthepastfewyearsanditusedtobeabroaderleafbutitsnowalotfinertexture.Vanscoyagrees.Itsthenewestthingandthereasonitschangingisthatthedepthofrootsandhardiness 800-333-9048AdvantaUS.comUSAArgentinaIndiaThailandIndonesiaAustraliaWELCOMETOOURTESTPLOT2014AdvantaUSInc.ADV-13-002bSWTheonlywaytotackletheworldsfoodchallengeisbyusingaglobalperspective.ThatswhyAdvantahasdevelopedaworldwidenetworkofresearchersandtestfacilitiestoscourtheglobeforthebesttraitsandgermplasm.ThenwebringtheworldsmostexcitingplanttraitstoNorthAmericatohelpmaketheplanetsmostproductivegrowersevenbetter.WhenyoupartnerwithaglobalplayerlikeAdvantayouopenupawholeworldofpossibilitiesforyourseedofferings.CALLUSFORATOURNEARYOU800-333-9048 10SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014SIMILARTOMANYothersectorsoftheseedindustrythenativeandconservationseedsectorsarepoisedforgrowthandnavigatingchange.TheresalotgoingoninthissectorwevegotinnovationpriceanddemandvolatilityandtheconvergenceofscienceandideologyinreturninglandscapestotheirnativestatesaysMarkMustoewhoisresponsibleformarketingandsalesatClearwaterSeedagrower-ownedseedcompanyinSpokaneWashingtonthatfocusesonhigh-qualitynativegrassesforbsandlegumesaswellasturfforageandcovercropmixes.ThestaffatClearwaterSeedworkswith20growerstoproduceabout50speciesofnativeseed.WerealwayslookingforsomethingnewMustoesaysnotingthatafewcompaniesareworkingoncreatingaffordablenativeseedmixesandforbsthataredesignedtosupportpollinators.Whenitcomestoforbstherearesomenewtrialsthatmightbegreattolookatbutthechallengeisbringingthemintoaproductionsetting.AndyErnstvicepresidentofPennsylvania-basedErnstConservationSeedssaysthatwiththeJune20PresidentialMemorandumtocreateafederalstrategytopromotethehealthofhoneybeesandotherpollinatorsheanticipatesanuptickindemand.ThismemorandumwillimpactdiscussionsonlandmanagementpracticesErnstsays.Withtheincreasedawarenessofpol-linatorhealthandemphasisoncreatingpollinator-friendlyhabitatsandland-scapesthatarewaterefficientdemandinthewesternU.S.fornativeseedsbyhomeownershasincreasedincrementally.WhilethetrendcontinuestoincreaseMustoesaysmanyhomeownersstilllikebiggreenlawns.HoweverintheEasternpartoftheUnitedStatesErnstsaysitsnotsomuchconsumersdrivingdemandfornativelandscapesbutthecommercialsector.ErnstexplainsthatwiththeincreaseinLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesignLEEDbuildingscreatingsus-tainablelandscapesaroundthesebuild-ingshasalsobecomeapriority.LedbytheAmericanSocietyofLandscapeArchitectsLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenterattheUniversityofTexasatAustinandtheUnitedStatesBotanicGardentheSustainableSitesInitiativeSITESwaslaunched.SITESlooksatsitedesignasawayofpreservingenhancingandrestor-ingecosystemservices.ItsnotjustaboutnativeplantsitsthewholeprojectwaterinfiltrationisInaleagueoftheirownthenativeseedindustryworkstoimprovelandscapesmakingthempollinatorfriendlyandwaterconscious.JulieDeeringNativeSeedTrendshugeErnstexplains.Thebigissuehereisbeingabletocaptureandretainwaterbeforeitmovesofftheland.Siteman-agersaremoreconcernedaboutwaterqualitythanquantity.Anothertrendthatseedcompaniesinthissectorfaceisgrowersaregettinghardertocomeby.Theresfewergrow-ersMustoesays.Theyareretiringandnewpeoplearentcomingintofillthosespotsplustheresincreasedcompetitionfromothercrops.Ibettheresfewerthan100farmerstodaygrowingnativeseed.MustoeexplainsthatintheNorthwestproductionisalldryland.Weareinahighrainfallareahesays.Theincreaseinwheatpricesandthehigherpricespaidforpulsesandgarbanzobeanshaveeatenawayatouracres.Thatcombinedwiththefactthatgrowingnativegrassesrequiresmoreinputsmoremanagementandisahighercostcrop.Youhavetoloveitandbecommittedtoit.BlakeCurtisofCurtisCurtisInc.inClovisNewMexicosaysthatinhispartoftheworldthevalueofwarm-seasongrassesishighenoughthatfarmersarestillinterestedinirrigatedgrassprod-uction.WeareseeingcompetitionfromcommoditycropsCurtissays.Butitsnotunusualforustoseethesecycleswithcompetitionforlandbetweencom-moditiesandspecialtycrops.Allaroundtheressignificantcompetitionforland.WhenitcomestopollinatorsCurtissaysthattheyreceiveanaverageof17inchesofrainfallperyearmakingitdif-ficulttopredictthesurvivalofpollinatorspeciessothatsnotgettingasmuchattentioninthesouthwest.Whatweareseeingisanincreaseddemandforcovercropsspecificallyannuallegumesandnitrogen-fixingsoil-buildingproductsCurtissays.Overallthemarketsaregoodandopportunitiesexisttobuildadditionaldemand.SWAscommercialbuildersandgolfcourseslooktocreatemoresustainablelandscapestheresagrowingdemandfornativeseedsandplants. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM11 THERESAGLOBALshifthappeninginthebusinessworldandtheseedindustryisnoexception.Thenumberofwomeninseniormanagementrolesisincreasingandresearchshowsthatthisaddeddiversityleadstobetterdividends.ThelatestresearchfromtheInternationalBusinessReportshowsthatwomennowhold24percentofseniormanagementrolesgloballyathree-pointincreasefrom2012.AdditionallytheproportionofbusinessesemployingwomenasCEOshasrisenfrom9percentto14percentandjust19percentofboardrolesgloballyareheldbywomen.Whilethesenumbersmightseemstarktheysuggestthefutureisbright.TheWorldBankreportsthattodaymorewomenarestudyingatuniversitiesthanmeninthe60countriesitresearched.Hereathome2010markedthefirstyearthatmorewomenreceivedadvanceddegreesthanmenandin2013thereweremorewomenonForbesbillionaireslistthaneverwith138womenintheranksupfrom104.Ofthose138women24startedtheirownbusiness.AmericanExpressreportsthatasof2012therearemorethan8.3millionwomen-ownedbusinessesintheUnitedStateswhichisup54percentinthepast15yearsandthatwomenarestartingbusinessesatarateof1.5timesthatofmen.Additionallywomenarefilingmorepat-entsdoublingtheirsharesince1990accordingtotheNationalWomensBusinessCouncil.WithintheseedindustryRisaDemasipartneratGrasslandOregonrepresentsamajorchangeoneofanewgenerationofwomentakingonprominentleadershiprolesinanindustrythathashistoricallybeenledbymen.DemasiisthefirstwomaneverelectedtotheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationsboardofdirectors.MARCZIENKIEWICZhasbeenajournalistandeditorfor10years.AfterservingasamanagingeditorforCanadaslargestnewspaperchainhetransitionedtotheagpublishingworldwhereheenjoyswritingaboutnewtechnologiesandhowtheyimpactseed.HelivesinLacduBonnetManitoba.HisTwitterhandleismzienkie.WHOSATTHETABLESeedWorldtakesararelookintoboardroomsandseniormanagementtoexaminetherolewomenplayandtheskillsetstheybringtothetable.LeadingthewayRisaDemasiisapartneratGrasslandOregon.12SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014 OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM13HavinggrownuponacattlefarminAlbanyOregonDemasihadnointentionsofgettingintotheagricultureindustry.Shedreamedofenteringthefashionworld.IwasconvincedIwasgoingtohavemyownclothingstoresaysDemasiwhohadbeenworkingforNordstromatthetime.AchanceopportunitytoworkforaseedcompanybroughtherintoagricultureandshesnowoneofthreeactivepartnersinGrasslandOregonaleadingdeveloperandprovideroftop-ratedseedvarietiesofcool-seasongrassandlegumespecies.WhenIstartedintheindustrytherewerejustafewwomenindecision-makingrolesinoursectoroftheseedindustryDemasisays.Youcouldprobablycountthemononehand.WhiletherearenostatisticsspecifictotheseedindustryLaurieWolinskidirectoroftheNortheastExtensionRiskManagementEducationCenterattheUniversityofDelawaresaysthatschangingandatafasterandfasterrate.Whilethecenterfocusesoneducatingstakeholdersabouttheuniquerisksofproduc-ingfoodfortheworldstableitalsohoststhebi-annualWomeninAgricultureEducatorsNationalConferencewhichbeganin2004.Moreandmorewomenarepursuingagriculturaldegrees.Thatcarriesintotheindustry.WhenIstartedworkingfortheUniversityofDelaware25yearsagoIwasoneofonlythreewomenworkingwithagriculturalproducersinmycountyoffice.Nowinthatpar-ticularofficethereareasmanywomenasmen.Itschanging.HasitbeenslowtochangeProbably.ButitschangingWolinskisays.ForDemasiproofofwomenssignificantinvolvementintheindustryisntfoundinanInternetsearchorastatisticalreportbutinthefieldslaboratoriesofficesandboardroomsacrosstheU.S.ThosewomenincludethelikesofEllenKullmanCEOandchairofDuPontPamBaileypresidentandCEOoftheGroceryManufacturersAssociationBethFordexecutivevicepresidentandchiefsupplychainandoperationsmanageratLandOLakesthesecond-largestmember-ownedagcooperativeintheU.S.andJenniferRashetU.S.rowcropsmanufacturingqualityleadforMonsanto.SojustwhatdothesewomenbringtothetableA2011McKinseyreviewof100compa-niesagainsttheOrganizationalHealthIndexfoundthatcompa-nieswiththreeormorewomenintoppositionsontheexecu-tivecommitteeorboardscoredhigherthantheirpeers.Anotherreportconcludesthattheoverallmedianproportionoffemaleexec-utiveswas7.1percentatsuccess-fulcompaniesand3.1percentatunsuccessfulcompaniesdem-onstratingthevaluethathavingmorefemalescanpotentiallybringtoamanagementteam.DiversityBuildsInanotherstudytrackingresultsfromFortune500companiesfrom2004to2008thosecompa-nieswiththemostwomenontheboardofdirectorsoutperformedthosewiththeleastbyatleast16percentintermsofreturnonsalesand26percentintermsofreturnoninvestmentcapital.AccordingtotheKornFerryInstitutewhichgeneratesresearchthatshowshowtalentadvancesbusinessstrategythesimilaritiesbetweenmaleandfemaleleadersarestrikingbuttherearealsosig-nificantdifferences.Inleadershipstylescoreswomenwerestatisticallydifferentinthreeofthefourcategories.MenintheC-suitenamedafteralltheCtitlesinseniormanage-mentteamsCEOCFOCOOreliedmoreonatask-orientedstylewhilefemalesusedslightlymoreofthesocialandparticipa-torystyles.Meanwhiletherewere24ofseniormanagementrolesareheldbywomen19ofboardrolesaroundtheworldareheldbywomen2010markedthefirstyearthatmorewomenreceivedadvanceddegreesthanmen8.3millionwomenownedbusinessesintheU.S.1.5xistheratethatwomenarestartingbusinessescomparedtotheirmalecounterpartsJenniferRashetistheU.S.rowcropsmanufacturingqualityleadforMonsantoandalsoservesontheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationsSeedIndustryRelationsCommitteeandPhytosanitaryCommittee.LaurieWolinskiservesasthedirectoroftheNortheastExtensionRiskManagementEducationCenterattheUniversityofDelawarewhichhoststhebi-annualWomeninAgricultureEducatorsNationalConference. 14SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014nosignificantgenderdifferencesonintellectualleadershipscores.AccordingtotheirresearchintheabsenceofsocialdynamicsmaleandfemaleC-suiteexecu-tiveshaveveryconsistentwaysofmakingdecisions.HowevertheinstitutereportedoneexceptionfemaleexecutivesintheC-suitehadhighercreativethinkingscoresthanmalesexecutives.Bothgendersarehighscoringascreativeandcomplexthink-erswhichmeanstheygenerateamultitudeofinnovativesolutionsconsiderpotentialeffectsiden-tifythebestchoiceanddevelopastrategytoattainitsaysDanaLandisvicepresidentofglobalsearchassessmentforKornFerryInternational.Butfemaleexecu-tiveslikelywillprefertoamassmorediversedataandspendmoretimeconsideringalternativesolutions.Thisslightdifferenceinapproachtostrategicdecision-makingmaybebeneficialwhenaddressinglong-termorhigh-stakesdecisions.Femaleexecutivesscorehigherthanmeninambiguitytolerancesuggestingslightlygreatercom-fortwithsituationsthataremoreabstractandinfluxorwhenthecorrectormostprosperouscourseofactionhasnotyetrevealeditself.Theyappeartobemoreadeptatnavigatingcomplexsocialsituationsreadingtheroomandaccuratelyperceivingtheneedsandmotivationsofthosearoundthem.AdditionallytheKornFerryInstitutefoundthatfemaleexecsexhibitgreaterenergyscoresthantheirmalecounterparts.Energyisdefinedasmentaltenacitythecapabilitytosustainanalyticthinkingandstickwithapersistentorhighlycomplexproblemuntilasolutionisfound.Theauthorswritethatwomenwhoarepres-entlytopexecutiveslikelyfacedagreatdealofresistanceduringtheirascensionthosewhoareintheC-suitetodaylikelyhadtoout-studyoutworkandoutperformtheirmalecounterparts.LookingbackatherearlyyearsDemasineverexpectedtofindherselfatthehelmofaseedcom-panyandpreparingtoleadanorganizationsuchasASTA.ElectedassecondvicechairofASTAin2013Demasiiscurrentlyfirstvicechairandisexpectedtofillthepositionofchairin2015makingherthefirstfemalechairintheassociationsthen133-yearhistory.DemasisformaleducationtookplaceatHesstonCollegeinKansaswheresheobtainedanunder-graduatedegree.Herrealeducationasshecallsitwouldtaketheformofalonginterestingandhard-foughteducationinlifeexperiences.ImincrediblygratefulforalltheopportunitiesIvebeenprovidedDemasisays.ThoseopportunitiesincludedworkingforOlsen-FennellSeedswhichwaspurchasedin1998byAgriBiotech.In2000Demasico-foundedGrasslandOregon.JerryHallourpresidenthadtheforesightRATIOOFWOMENTOMENMonsantoBoardofDirectors313SyngentaBoardofDirectors310DuPontBoardofDirectors310DowAgroSciencesBoardofDirectors210BayerExecutiveCommittee011BASFExecutiveBoardofDirectors17WOMENONBOARDSPERCENTAGEOFBOARDOFDIRECTORROLESHELDBYWOMENRussiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamLatviaGlobalBrazilMalaysiaUAESwitzerlandJapan37SourceGrantThorntonIBR2013353430301913131277tobringtheoriginatingworkingpartnerstogethersheexplains.Hisforesightandwithourcreativevisionledtooneofthosefortu-nateopportunitiesIhavebeensothankfulfor.Itsbeenafascinat-ingandchallengingridetocreateGrasslandOregonfromscratch.TheKornFerryInstitutealsoreportsthatresearchshowsthatwomentendtosharecreditadvocatefortheirwholeteamandstriveforgroupwins.AsthefirstandonlyfemaleofficeraroundthetableinASTAsboardroomtodayDemasiwhoisonly48addsawomansperspec-tiveandenjoystheexperience 16SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014everystepoftheway.ImsurewewomenprobablybringalittlebitdifferentperspectiveonthingsDemasiacknowledges.Anddif-ferentisgoodanytimeyouoryourorganizationbroadenyourthinkingyoulearn.WhileDemasisaysitsgreatbeingthefirstwomantositatASTAsboardroomtableshesneverfeltthathervoicewasdiffer-entthananyoneelsesthere.Therearemoreandmorewomenallthetimeintheindustryinamyriadofrolesactiveroleswithintheirorganizationslargeandsmallshesays.InanagewherebookssuchasMenAreFromMarsWomenAreFromVenusarepopularreadingmaterialDemasiisntsosuremenandwomenarereallythatdifferentfromoneanotherwhenitcomestotheirinfluencewithintheseedindustry.Itseasytogethunguponthevari-ousreportsyouseeinthemediaaboutthedifferencesbetweenmenandwomenbutIthinkget-tingboggeddowninthatisahindranceratherthanahelpshesays.Idratherthinkaboutthepotentialandtheopportunitiesthatexisttoday.MonsantosRashetagrees.TheU.S.rowcropsmanufacturingqualityleadhasbeeninvolvedintheindustryforthepast14yearsandfeelsanimportantqualitywomenbringtotheindustryisadesireforinclusivity.Ithinkwomenhavebeenrepre-sentativeofgoodleadershipinallsectorsnotjusttheseedsectorRashetsays.Weveseenalotofcompaniesreallyworktomakeadifferenceandmakechangestofosteramorediverseenvironmentbeingmoreinclusivetowomen.Ithinktheindustryisreallyawareofthatandtryingtobolsterwomeninleadershiproles.RashetwhoservesonASTAsSeedIndustryRelationsCommitteeandPhytosanitaryCommitteeisalsosomeonewhodidntinitiallyimagineher-selfworkinginagriculture.ShemajoredinSpanishatWashingtonUniversityinSaintLouisandearnedherexecutivemastersdegreeininternationalbusinessfromSaintLouisUniversity.GlobalPerspectiveRashetsaysthathavingsomefemaleleadershiphelpsseedcompaniesoperatebetterfromaglobalperspective.Ialwayswantedtobeininternationalbusi-nessshesaysaddingthatbeingawomanintheseedindustryhashelpedherfulfillthatdream.Havingthatfemalevoiceatthetablecanbringanimportantper-spectivewhenitcomestotalkingaboutthevaluetheseedindustryhasacrosstheworlditsespeciallyimportantwhenyouretalkingwithmothersandMillennialsandsomeofthemorefood-mindedfolkswetendtocallfoodies.Wolinskiagrees.Ithinkhavingwomeninleadershiprolesgivescompaniesanopportunitytoapproachdecision-makinginadif-ferentway.Fromaconsumerper-spectiveforexamplewomenstillmakealotofthenutritiondeci-sionsintheirownhouseholdsandthatperspectivemighthaveinflu-enceinaboardroom.Companiescanonlybenefitfromthat.TheinfluencewomenbringtotheirrespectiveorganizationsisgettingnoticedDemasipointstowomenlikeKarenWithersofOregonsPenningtonSeedCompanywhowasnamedYoungSeedsmanoftheYearatthe2013WesternSeedAssociationcon-ventionasproofthatwomeninseedtheseedindustryarebeingrecognizedfortheircontributions.Anytimeyougetsomeoneinanewgroupwithauniqueper-spectivethatsabenefitDemasisays.IgetcaughtupinmyownwayofthinkingbutthelargermynetworkingcirclegrowsthemoreopportunitiesIhavetobeexposedtonewideasandapplythemtowhatImworkingonsoIcanbreakthatcycle.Thatsnotuniquetowomenbuttoanyoneworkinginacomplexindustry.SWSUCCEEDINGINSEEDWhatdoesittakeforawomantosucceedintheseedindustryAccordingtoGrasslandOregonfoundingpartnerandASTAfirstvicechairRisaDemasitheroadtosuccessisgenderneutral.Hardworkisarequirementforsuccessshesays.Ittakesalotofworktosucceedinthisindustry.Listeningisanother.Weallhavetwoearsandonemouthusingtheminthatratioisbeneficial.Hardworkandlisteningenableyoutorecognizeopportunitiesandseizethem.ButIbelievethebiggestthingisjusthavinganunwaveringdesiretosucceed.Nooneisgoingtohandyousuccessonasilverplatter.JenniferRashetU.S.rowcropsmanufacturingqualityleadforMonsantoagrees.Womenwhohaveastrongfocusonrelationshipsandnetworksastrongvoiceandareveryresults-driventendtobethemostsuccessfulones.AhealthyamountofconfidencegoesalongwayforLaurieWolinskidirectoroftheUniversityofDelawaresExtensionRiskManagementEducationNortheastCenter.Confidenceisahugenecessityandastrongpassionfortheirworkshesays.BothRashetandDemasiemphasizetheimportanceofthestrongrolemodelstheyhadgrowingup.Demasisfatherisacattlefarmerwhomshegreatlyadmiresforhisethics.IgottoseefirsthandhowmuchworkgoesintoitandthatsprobablywhyItriedsomethingelseoutsidetheagindustrytobeginwithshesays.Ienjoyedgrowinguponthefarm.Therewereseedfarmsallaroundusagricultureisa247vocation.Itwashermusicalmotherthoughwhotaughtherwhatastrongwomaninaleadershiprolecouldlooklike.Demasismomownedherownmusicschoolteachingvoiceandpianoandtravelinginternationallyasaconcertpianist.SheledtheOregonMusicTeachersAssociationandwasinlinetoleadtheNationalMusicTeachersAssociationwhenshepassedawayin2006.ShewasagreatinfluenceonmeDemasisays.RashetsfatherisaretiredphysicianandhermotheraphysicaltherapistwhoinherretirementyearshasdevelopedtheSt.ClairCountyGreenspaceFoundationanIllinoisgreenspacefoundationthatworkstopreserveforestsintheMidwesternstate.WatchingherleadthatefforthasbeengreatRashetsays.ForDemasithereexistsonelastrequirementforwomentosucceedintheseedindustrythedesiretocontinuetheireducation.Youalwayshaveanopportunitytolearnneverstoplearning. seedseedlingAquatrolsSeedEnhancementTechnologycoatinghydrophilicconduitDrynon-wettablesoil 18SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014THEREGULATIONOFBIOLOGICALproductsisabitofamystery.Ifbiologi-calsareinfactderivedfromtheenvironmentandareanaturallyoccurringproductjustaswormsandapplesthenwhywouldtheyneedtoberegulatedMarroneBioInnovationsvicepresidentofproductmanagementandbusinsessdevelopmentJimLappinsaysthatwhetherabiologi-calproductisregulatedornotdependsonwhattheproductclaimstodo.ForinstanceifaproductmakespesticidalclaimsthenitmustreceiveregulatoryapprovalfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.LocatedinDavisCaliforniaMarroneBioInnovationsisaproviderofbiologically-basedpestandplanthealthproductsforagricultureandothermarkets.EvenwhentheresnogeneticengineeringtheregulatorychallengesarestillconsiderableandsometimeseveninsurmountablesaysGaryHarmanAdvancedBiologicalMarketingchiefscientificofficernotingthatisespeciallytrueinEurope.ABMisadevelopermanu-factureranddistributorofagriculturalbiologicalsandemploysabout40peopleinVanWertOhio.InEuroperegulatorshavethephiloso-phyoflookingatproductsThisarticleispartofaseriesdesignedtoexploretheworldofbiologicalsfromtheverybasicsofwhatabiologicalisorisnottohowtheyareregulatedandfromtodaysmarketplacetotheirroleinthefutureofagriculture.DiscovertheworldofbiologicalsatSeedWorld.combiologicalbreakdown.BIOLOGICALBREAKDOWNwithawhatcangowrongeyehesays.IntheUnitedStatestheregistrationprocessforbiopesticidesisgovernedbyEPAsBiopesticidesPollutionPreventionDivision.EPAregulatesthreetypesofbiopesticidesmicrobialpesticidesplantpesticidesandbiochemicalpesticides.Microbialpesticidesuseamicroorganismasthemainingredient.AccordingtoEPAthemostwidelyusedmicro-bialpesticidesaresubspeciesandstrainsofBacillusthur-ingiensisorBt.Eachstrainofthisbacteriumproducesadifferentmixofproteinsandspecificallykillsoneorafewrelatedspeciesofinsectlarvae.Plantpesticidesaresubstancesproducedbytheplantfromgeneticmaterialthathasbeenaddedtotheplant.Forinstanceresearch-ershavetakenthegenefortheBtpesticidalproteinandintroduceditintotheplantsowngeneticmaterial.ThentheplantinsteadoftheBtbacteriummanufacturesthesubstancethatdestroysthepest.BoththeproteinanditsgeneticmaterialareregulatedbyEPAhowevertheplantitselfisnotregulated.UnderEPAsrulesplant-incorporatedprotect-antsderivedfromgeneticengineeringaresubjecttotheFederalFoodDrugandCosmeticActaswellastheFederalInsecticideFungicideandRodenticideAct.Whereasplant-incorpo-ratedprotectantsdevelopedthroughconventionalbreed-ingareexemptfromallFIFRAandFFDCArequirementswiththeexceptionoftherequirementthatmanufactur-ersreportadverseeffects.Biochemicalpesticidesarenaturallyoccurringsub-stancesthatcontrolpestsbynon-toxicmechanismssuchasinsectsexpheromonesthatinterferewithmatingaswellasscentedplantextractsENTERTHEREALMOFREGULATIONTimeandcostsavingshelptodriveinvestmentsinbiologicalproducts.JulieDeeringABioConsortiaresearcherperformslaboratorytestsatitsresearchanddevelopmentfacilityinNewZealand.PHOTOBIOCONSORTIA. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM19 20SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014thatlurepestsintotraps.Becauseitissometimesdif-ficulttodeterminewhetherasubstancemeetsthecriteriaforclassificationasabio-chemicalpesticideEPAhasestablishedaspecialcommit-teetomakesuchdecisions.RecentlytheBiopesticidesPollutionPreventionDivisionmadeanumberofenhance-mentstoprovideadditionalguidanceandhelpimprovetheefficiencyoftheregula-toryprocessreportstheBiopesticideIndustryAlliance.Thealliancehaspostedguidancedocumentsanddataevaluationtem-platestoitswebsitetohelpexpeditetheregistrationprocessforitsmembers.Companiesmustbeabletoprovetheefficacyofaproductwhichcanalsobeachallenge.HarmansaysbecauseofthisfarmersintheEUarerunningoutofoptions.ABMconductsbusinessinUkrainebutisnotcurrentlyinwesternEurope.CostComparisonToregisterasyntheticchemi-calHarmanestimatesthatitcostsabout100millionovera10-yearperiod.Thetimelinetobringabiologicalproductfromdiscoverytocommer-cializationisradicallydiffer-entfromthatofasyntheticchemical.Intotalittakesaboutsixyearstobringanewseedtreatmenttothemarket.Forexamplein2004DanCustisCEOofABMsaidthatthecompanyneededtohaveitsownTrichodermastrains.In2006researchersdeliv-eredthestrainstoABMfortesting.Thenfrom2006to2008thestrainswerefieldtested.In2009thecompanyhaditsfirstyearofsignifi-cantsales.InthisexampleEPAwasnotinvolvedwhichallowedtheproducttobecommercializedmuchfasterthanifitwere.ABMhas50to100fieldtrialsperproducttovalidateitsresearchandproducts.Wehavetomakesureourproductsperformandper-formconsistentlyHarmansays.NowwithitssubsidiaryinAfricaABMcanconductfieldtrials365daysayearmovingevenfaster.AnotherexampleisBioConsortiawhichstartedfundingaresearchanddevel-opmentbreakthroughin2011withaprocesstorapidlyiden-tifyteamsofmicrobesthatpositivelyimpactplantpheno-typesandyield.BioConsortiaalreadyhasmultipleproductsindevelopment.LappinfromMarroneBioestimatesthatittakesthreetofouryearstobringabiologicaltomarketand3millionto6milliontolaunchintheU.S.comparedtochemicalproductsat250millionand10years.ManasBanerjeepresidentandCEOofXiteBiosaysbiologicalsofferalow-costapproachtoenhancingyields.Justintheresearchanddevelopmentphaseitcancostanywherefrom1millionto10millionforabiologicalheexplains.Foranagchemi-calyourelookingmoreintherangeof70million.BobStreitanindepend-entconsultantinAmesIowasayswhenanewpesticidecomesalongandisbio-logicallybasedEPAwillfasttrackit.IfthecompanywiththenewproductasksforalabelonthreecropsEPAmightgrantalabelfor20cropsStreitsays.ThatshowmuchEPAandtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureareonboardingettingthesenewstrategiesintocroppro-Colorfulmicrobesformconsortiaorteamsthatworktogethertoimproveplantperformance.PHOTOBIOCONSORTIA.duction.Thatsbecausethesenewproductspresentlittleornochallengetotheenviron-mentandthesoils.Streitsaysthatpartoftheproblemisthatwedonthaveenoughscientistsanduniver-sityresearchersworkinginthisareabecausethesearenothighprofileprojects.ThePathwaytoMarketExamplesareTrichodermaandBacilluswhichexistinnature.IfyoulookatthesoilyouwillfindmanydifferentstrainsHarmansays.Weisolatestrainsfromfieldsoilsonrootsandnaturalsub-strates.Somecomefromcompostrootsofplantsoreventheshellofahickorynut.Oncewehaveacollec-tionthestrainsgothroughaphenotypicscreeningpro-cessthatlooksatdiseaseandinsectcontrolandplantgrowthpromotion.Thenwescreenbasedongenet-ics.Ourstrategyistoletlabscreeningdeterminewhichstrainshavedesirabletraits.Noneofourstrainsaretheresultofbioengineering.Harmansaysthathisteamtakesadvantageofwhatsinnature.Wefilteroutinferiorstrainsusinggeneticandgenomictechniqueswhichleavesuswithnaturallyoccur-ringgeneticallysuperiorandbetterperformingstrainshesaysnotingthateverystrainisdifferent.ThroughaproprietaryselectionprocesstheABMteamsegregatesgeneticallysuperiorstrainsandappliesthemtotheseedasseedtreatments.Theamountthatweactuallyapplytotheseedis10000lowerthanwhatyoufindinthesoilHarmansays.Whentheseedisplantedthefungicolonizetherootandgrowwiththerootcausinganincreaseinplantperformance.SW AGRAIndustries1211WWaterStreetMerrillWI54452800-842-8033www.AgraInd.comAbility.Reliability.TMAGRAIndustriesAgProcessingandBio-EnergySystemsAGRAspecializesinthecompleteseedplantfacility.WemanufactureequipmenttohelpyouateverystepoftheprocessfromourmaterialhandlingsystemstoourpatentedGEN-ELbucketelevatorstoourhigh-capacityhuskchoppersystemstooursingle-passdouble-passandcombinationseedcorndryers.Everythingwedoistailoredtotakeyouefcientlyfromstarttonishthroughtheentireseedproductionprocess.Fromreceivingtohusk-sortandchoppingtodryingshellingbulkstorageload-outsizingbaggingandwarehousestorageAGRAhasacustom-designedsolutiontomeetyourneeds.DesignEngineeringSteelFabricationMillwrightErectionEquipmentInstallationProjectManagementConstructionManagementProjectAssuranceSolutionsTurnkeyfromtheGroundUpSpecializedinSeedSpecializedindesign-buildseedconditioningplantsgrain-handlingequipmentandbulkstoragefacilities.Committedtomeetingeachofourcustomersspecicneedswiththeultimategoalofensuringqualityandefciency.AGRAistheseedindustrystopchoiceforgeneralcontractors.excellenceinTurnkeyAGRAIndustries 22SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014WHENSELLINGFORAGESindustryspecialistsstressthatitsimportanttohelpfarmersandranch-ersrememberitsalong-terminvestment.Asthesalesrepresentativeyoushouldconsiderhowtheproductwillbeusedandhisorherendgoal.PurchasinganyseedisalargeinvestmentbutwithforagesyouneedtoknowamyriadofaspectsandthiswhereyouneedtoasktherightquestionssaysRoelandKapsenbergvicepresi-dentofforageseedsforDLFPickseed.Itsimportanttoknowthecustomersneedstodeterminetherightmixforthatfarm.LyndonMansellchairoftheAlbertaForageIndustryNetworkagrees.Whencomparedtoothercropshesaysfor-agesaremostlyatwo-tofour-yearinvestmentcomparedtocerealsoroilseedswhichareplantedannually.Weneedtofindoutwhatisbest-suitedtothatparticularcustomersneedsMansellsays.Itssoimportanttorememberthatthisisalong-terminvestmentandtakesnotonlytimetoestablishbutcanalsobedoublyexpensivetoredo.AsktheRightQuestionsWithsomanyoptionsavailablelegumesgrassesandpasturespeciessalesrepresentativesneedtoknowthecharacteristicsofthevariousnativeandpasturespeciesthatareavailableandhaveagoodworkingknowledgeofthelocalgeographiestoselectthebestspecies.WhenprovidinganewforagerecommendationexpertsadvisethatyouconsidertheClimaterainfallandfrost.Speciesthatgrowwelllocallyfrostanddroughthardiness.Soiltypeandhealth.Typeofanimalstobegrazed.Existingpasturetypeandspeciesgrown.Needforannualorperennialspecies.Long-andshort-termrotations.Purpose.IsitforgrazingcuttingoracombinationAccordingtoKapsenbergyoureallyneedtoknowwhattheenduserwantstoaccomplishandtakeitfromthere.WhatisthemainconcernofthecustomerProductionpotentialReducingbloatMilkproductionDrymatterheasks.Alloftheseques-tionsneedtobeaddressed.Mansellalsoacknowledgesthatattimessalesrepresenta-tivesdespitetheirduediligenceonproductawarenessmightbeSELECTTHERIGHTMIXOFFORAGESWithanumberofoptionstochoosefromitsimportanttoknowyourcustomerwhenputtingtogetheraseedmix.ShannonSchindleswayedbyproducersbecauseofpriceconcerns.Buthecau-tionsthatthisisnottherightapproachwhenselectingthebestingredientsforthemix.OngoingResearchandProductAvailabilityWhileMansellandKapsenbergagreethatthereareanumberofproductsinthemarketplacethatareeffectiveintermsofqualityandquantitythereisarealneedforcontinuedresearchanddevelopmenttomaintainapipelineofproductsthatcanmeettheneedsoftodaysfarmersandranchers.IfyoucomparetheamountofresearchbeinginvestedincornandnewproductscomingdownthepipelinetothatofforageitsobviousthatthenewcornvarietiesfarsurpassthatofnewforagespeciesMansellexplains.Whilethereisongoingresearchintonewforagemixturesandvarietiestheturnaroundtimeforbringinganewproducttomarketismuchlongerthanthatofanannualcrop.ItsknownExpertsagreethatitsessentialtounderstandtheendusersgoalstobestselecttherightforagemix. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM23thatsomelargeseedcompaniesarespendingbillionsofdollarsoncornresearchbutthatdollarnumberisnowherenearthesameforforageresearchMansellsays.Kapsenbergagreesthatcompetitionforresearchanddevel-opmentdollarsishighsimplyduetothecomplexnatureoftestingnewforagevarieties.Foranoilseedorcerealresearch-erswillknowtheyieldandqualitydatawithinthefirstyearbutforforagedevelopmentresearcherswillnotnecessarilyknowinthefirstyearofestablishmentwhetheritwillwork.Itsalongerproductioncycleanditsalsoalonger-terminvestmentwithrespecttoresearchdollars.ProductKnowledgeSalesrepresentativesreceiveextensivetrainingonselectingtherightmixfortherightfarm.ForthemostparttheyredoingaverygoodjobatitintheUnitedStatesandCanadasayMansellandKapsenberg.ButKapsenbergaddsthatsometimesproducersneedtore-evaluateproductstheymighthaveoverlookedinpreviousyears.ThereneedstobeproofthatoneproductisbetterthananotherKapsenbergsays.Howeverproductturnaroundisslowerduetothelengthoftimeaforagestandcanbeproduc-tiveanduptakeofnewvarietiesisalsoalotslowersimplyduetothenatureofthebusiness.Mansellnotesthatpickingtherightvarietiesinthemixisacomplexdecisionbutwhenmanagedproperlygrowersarereapingthebenefits.Somemixtureswillmultiplywhileotherswilldowellonavarietyofsoiltypessuchassainfoinhesays.Sainfoinisaforagelegumethatdoesnotcausebloatandalsocomesinwinter-hardystrainsthatproducehayandpas-tureyieldsclosetothatofalfalfa.ItsalsoadaptedforbetterregrowthforrotationalgrazingandmaintainsgoodtanninlevelstohelpreduceorpreventbloatingrazinganimalsMansellsays.Kapsenbergnotesthatmanyseedcompaniesareresearchingspeciesandredevelopingthesespeciesforbetteradaptationtovariousgeographicalareas.FestuloliumisagreatexampleoftheresearchbeingdonetocreatenewadaptivequalitiesforuseinvariousgeographiesKapsenbergsays.Theseadaptationshaveallowedfestuloliumtooffernotonlyhigherforagequalitiesbutalsohigheryieldandalargergeographicalgrowingrange.GeneticmakeupimprovementshavecreatedahighergeneticqualityoffestuloliumanditsthesevariationsthathaveopenedthedoortonewoptionsforgrowersandsalesrepsacrossNorthAmerica.FestuloliumnowofferssomanymorechoicesforproducersandsalesrepsexplainsKapsenberg.Weareproudoftheinroadswehavemadewithfestuloliumastestifiedbytheongoingtrialevaluations.Thisisnotanewconceptbutwehaveexpandedthepotentialuseofthishybridizedgrassforthemarketplaceandgrowers.Kapsenbergaddsthatthemultiplegeographiesfestuloliumcannowthriveinprovidesawholenewrangeofuseforaprod-uctthatatonetimemighthavebeenoverlookedwhenselectingtherightmix.SWWHEREONTHEWEBFormoreinformationaboutDLFPickseedsfestuloliumproductsvisitdlfis.comForageSpecies_and_varietiesFestulolium.aspx ManyexpertsbelievemitesparticularlytheVarroamiteareprimarilyresponsibleforthedeclineinthenumberofhealthybeecolonies.AgoodparasitedoesntkillitshostsaysDavidFischerBayerCropSciencedirec-torofpollinatorsafetyandheadofthenewBeeCareCenterinNorthCarolinasResearchTriangleParkexplainingthattheparasiteneedsitshosttosurvive.HowevertheVarroamitewhichoriginatedinAsiaandhassincespreadwestfirsttoEuropeandthentotheUnitedStatesin1987doesnotfitthedescriptionofagoodparasite.VirtuallyallferalorwildhoneybeecolonieshavebeenwipedoutbythesemitesreportsDavidTarpyaNorthCarolinaStateUniversityExtensionapiculturist.VisibletotheeyetheVarroamitesucksthehemolymphofabeeweakeningitsimmunesystemandtransmittingdiseases.TheVarroamiteistheNo.1factoraffectingbeehealthsaysSaraMyersanapiaristandeventman-ageratBayersBeeCareCenterinResearchTrianglePark.SheaddsthattheVarroamiteisknowntotransmitmorethan20viruses.TheVarroamiteisanexternalparasitethatattacksadultbeesandthedevelopinghoneybeelarvaeTarpysays.Theadultmiteshaveaflattenedovalshapearereddish-brownincolorandareabout.06incheswideaboutthesizeoftheheadofapin.HesaysthatthematedfemaleentersthecellofadevelopingbeeWhilenewresearchshowspromiseinhelpingbettercontrolmitesthesesmallparasitescontinuetoinfestbeecolonies.protectingpollinatorsSupportedbyQUICKFACTInthelate80stheanimalhealthdivisionofBayerCropSciencereallygavethecompanyitsstartincaringforpollinatorhealthwiththeintroductionofthefirstmiticideforbees.24SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014MITEYPROBLEMSCOMEINSMALLPACKAGESlarvaandlaysasmanyassixeggs.Thedevelopingmitesfeedonthebeepupaanddependingonthenumberofmitesmightkillitcauseittobedeformedorinsomecaseshavenovisibleeffect.WhilethemalemitesdieinthecellTarpysaystheadultdaughtermitesclimbontoanadultworkerbeeandfeedonitshemolymph.Thefemalemitecanthenrepeatthecyclebyenter-ingcellsofotherdevelopinglarvae.MitespreferdronelarvaetoworkerlarvaeTarpysaysnotingthattheywillinfestworkerlarvaeandeventuallykillthecolonyifpre-ventativemeasuresarenottaken.TarpysaysmanybeecoloniessuccumbtoVarroamiteinfesta-tioninthelatesummerorfall.Itsdifficulttosimplyinspectacolonyanddetermineifithasahighlevelofmiteshesays.Thereforeitsimportanttosamplebeehivestoestimatethedegreeofinfestation.WheninspectingforVarroamitesMyerssaysifyouhavethreemitesper100beesthenyouhaveaproblemandneedtotreatthehive.Myerswhohashadtodealfirst-handwithVarroamitessaystherearetwomethodsofdetectionifbeekeeperssuspectaproblemanalcoholwashorasugarshake.ForthealcoholwashwhichMyerssaysisthemoreaccuratetestcollect100beesandsub-mergetheminajarwithalcohol.Thiswillcausethemitestofalloffthebeesandyoucaneasilycountthemshesays.Whileitsthemoreaccuratetestthebeestesteddieduringtheprocess.Adultmitesare.06incheswide. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM25Thesugarshakemethoddoesnotkillthebeesbutitsalsonotasaccurate.Toperformthistestcol-lect100beesandputtheminajarofpowderedsugarshakingthejaruntilthebeesarecoatedinwhite.Thiscausesthemitestofalloffthebeesallowingyoutocountthem.OnceyouvecompletedoneofthesetestsMyerssaysyoullknowifthehiveneedstobetreated.AnothermitethatisparasitictohoneybeesisthetracheamitewhichismicroscopicandlivesintherespiratorysystemofbeescausingthemtosuffocateFischersays.IntroducedintheU.S.around1985thetracheamitecausedsig-nificantdamageforseveralyearsbutbeekeepershaveitundercon-trolFischerreports.WhilethetracheamiteisnotofmajorconcerntobeekeeperstodayNosemaceranaeis.Thisgutparasitekeepsbeesfrombeingabletoabsorbnutrientsfromfood.EssentiallyitsdysenteryinadulthoneybeesMyerssaysaddingthattherehavebeenmorereportedcasesofNosemaceranaeinthepastfiveyears.Fischeraddsthatsymptomsaresimilartostarvation.Beekeeperswillnoticethatthebeesfoodconsumptionskyrocketsbuttheyarentgettingthenutritionhesays.WhenyoulookatthehiveandseebeefecesyouknowitsNosemaceranae.ProperCareItsnotjustonethingthatimpactsthebeepopulationFischersays.Itsacombinationoffactorsthatculminateparasitesaweakenedimmunesystemdiseasespoornutritionaharshwinteretc.Beesarelikepeopletheyneedfoodshelterandwater.Iftheyarehealthytheytoleratediseasesandparasitesmuchbetter.Itallhingesonnutrition.WhenlookingtocontrolmitesMyerssaysbeekeepersmusttakeacomprehensiveapproachandaskWhatmanagementtech-niquesamIdeployingHowmanymitesdoIhaveWhatsthehealthstatusofmycoloniesWhataretheirfoodsourcesByansweringthesequestionsMyerssaysbeekeeperswillknowiftheyneedtochangetheirmanage-mentpractices.Plusbeekeeperswillhaveanincreasedawarenessofthehivehealthastheyareoutworkingwiththemshesays.AstheBeeInformedPartnershipandtheApiaryInspectorsofAmericasurveybeekeepersthenumberofcolonylossesreportedisdecreasing.WearestillnotbacktonormalbutweareatleasttrendingintherightdirectionFischersays.Hethinkstherearetworeasonsforthistrendreversal.ThefirstisanincreasedawarenessoftheVarroamiteresultinginbettercontrol.Andsecondisthatbeekeepersarepayingcloserattentiontobeesneedsduringthewinterandpro-vidingsupplementalfood.SWBayerresearchersareworkingtodevelopnewtechnologiesthatallowbeestoselftreatformites.PHOTOBAYERCROPSCIENCEQUICKFACTInAfricatheVarroamitedoesntkillbeesbecausethebeeshaveadapted.WHEREONTHEWEBTolearnaboutmitecontroltechnologiesthatareintheworksvisitSeedWorld.comPollinatorParasites. 26SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014HENRYFORDONCEsaidanyonewhostopslearningisoldwhetherat20or80.Anyonewhokeepslearningstaysyoung.Withasoldoutroomofnearly100participantsrepresent-ingallsectorsoftheindustryseedsmenandwomencametogethertolearnnewmarketingconceptsgetabetterunderstand-ingoftrendsandtheagriculturallandscapeandimprovetheircom-municationandleadershipskills.ByFordsdefinitiontheseedindustryisyoung.HostedbyPurdueUniversitysCenterforFoodandAgriculturalBusinesswiththesupportoftheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationparticipantsheardfromagribusi-nessprofessorsaboutkeyareasthataffecttheseedindustryincludingagriculturescurrentstatusmarketingandmanage-mentandleadershipandcommu-nications.Herearethehighlights.AgriculturesLandscapeGenerallyconditionsarefavora-bleforagriculturesaidAllanGrayLandOLakeschairinfoodandagribusinessanddirectoroftheCenterforFoodandAgriculturalBusinessandtheMS-MBAinFoodandAgribusinessManagement.WhilepriceriskatthefarmlevelissubstantialtheU.S.remainsacompetitivepowerwithleadershipineconomicsduetoournaturalresourcestheadoptionanddif-fusionoftechnologiesandoureconomiesofscale.Howeverourgrowthtrajectoryisnotlinearandtheweathereconomyandpoli-cieswillalwaysimpactagriculture.AdditionallyGraysaidthatcon-sumersaredemandingmorethanTheSeedIndustryIsYoungjusttastefromtheirfoodandthatmustbetakenintoconsideration.MarketingandManagementWhenitcomestomarketingDavidDowneyfounderandexecutivedirectorofthePurdueCenterforFoodandAgriculturalBusinesssaysyoumustprioritizeyourcus-tomerbase.Marketingisantici-patingtheneedsandwantsoftargetedcustomersandmanagingtheprocessthroughwhichtheseneedsandwantsaresatisfiedDowneysaid.Salesandmarketingshouldbetightlywoventogetherbutaredif-ferent.Marketingislong-termandconsiderscustomersingroupswhilesalesisshort-termandcon-siderscustomersindividuallyhesaid.Marketingcreatesdirectionandsupportforsalesandsalesimplementsmarketingstrategies.Butsalesmusthaveinputintomarketing.Downeyaddedthatthefutureisbrightformanagerswhoarewillingtoadapt.SeedcompaniesTheSeedLeadershipProgramaimstofasttrackyourknowledgeandunderstandingoftheseedindustry.JulieDeeringAttheSeedLeadershipProgramPurduesDavidDowneytalksabouthowthethewealtheffectchangesfarmerspurchasingpatterns.whostrivetounderstandthattheirmarketplaceandtheircustomersarechangingextremelyrapidlyandwhopro-activelyadapttheirstrategiesareinastrongpositiontogrowandprosperhesaid.LeadershipRodneyVandeveeraprofessoroforganizationalleadershipandsupervisionatPurduetooksessionparticipantsthroughseveralsce-nariostodemonstratetheimpor-tanceofcommunicationsandhowitaffectsonesabilitytolead.LeadershipistheartandscienceofgettingthejobdonethroughthewillingnessofothersVandeveersaid.Thismeanspeoplearemotivatedandmotivat-ingpeopleisnotcommonsense.Leadershipisthecatalystthattransformshumanpotentialintorealityyieldingpositiveresults.Vandeveersharedsixtraitsofleadershipdrivethedesiretoleadhonestyandintegrityselfconfidencecognitiveabilityandknowledgeofthejob.SWAnyonewhostopslearningisoldwhetherat20or80.Anyonewhokeepslearningstaysyoung.-HenryFord1styear91attendees19firms11states2daysoflearning5speakers94ofattendeesreportedtheprogrammetexpectationsSTATS Learnmoretodayatwww.AgroProtection.comTollFree1-800-667-2992TwitterAgroProtectionWhatdoesIntellectualPropertyProtectionlookliketoyouDOFARMAUDITSSCAREYOU 28SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014DURINGTHEPASTseveralyearswheathasreceivedincreasedinvest-mentsfromtheprivatesectoruniversi-tiesandnon-governmentalorganizations.TheresafeelingthattheindustrythatisonthecuspoftakingwheattothatnextlevelsaysJonRichaSyngentaCentralPlainswheatbreederandproductman-agerinJunctionCityKansas.Todaythereare39activepublicwheatbreedingprogramsin27states.TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureAgriculturalResearchServicefundstwocultivardevelopmentprogramsandseveralsupportandgermplasmenhancementprograms.PlusSyngentaDuPontLimagrainBayerCropScienceKWSandDowAgroSciencesallhavewheatbreedingprograms.Onecharacteristicthatseemstobegettingagreatdealofattentionisbreedingwheatsothatitcanbettertoleratewater-stressedenvironments.AtSyngentaRichsaystheyareworkingtoimprovedroughttoleranceandwateruseefficiencyofwheat.Withwheatyoudontjustneedtoworryaboutwaterbutheattoohesays.Becauseitsacool-seasongrassitpreferscoolertempera-tures.Weneedvarietiesthatcanrespondtoseveredroughtsituationsandgeneralreducedwater.Awheatplantsproductivityfallsoffdramaticallywhentemperaturesriseabove82degreesFahrenheitandtheeffectsareparticularlydramaticinthefloweringstagewhentheplantsetstheseedthatisultimatelyharvestedandmilledforfood.Everyriseofjustacoupleofdegreesabove82inthefloweringstagescutsyieldsby3percentto4percentexplainsKulvinderGillwhoholdstheVogelChairforWheatBreedingandGeneticsatWashingtonStateUniversity.ResearchersatWashingtonStateUniversityareworkingtodevelopwheatWheatbreedersareworkingonanumberoffrontstohelpmakewheatamoreresilientcropwhenitcomestoheatandwaterstress.JulieDeeringvarietiesthatgrowunderseveredroughtconditionsknownasdesertwheat.Theireffortsearnedthema1.6-milliongrantin2010fromtheNationalScienceFoundationandtheBillMelindaGatesFoundation.LedbyGilltheteamisfocusedondevelopingalternategenesystemstoreduceplantheightinwheatandothercereals.LastyearitwasannouncedthatGillsteamwouldleada16.2-millioninternationaleffortfundedbytheU.S.AgencyforInternationalDevelopmentinpartnershipwiththeIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearchandDirectorateofWheatResearchtocontinueworkinthisarea.Researchersaimtohavetheirfirstsetofclimate-resilientwheatvarietiesinfouryears.WearefacingthetwinchallengesofhowtoincreaseintrinsicyieldandadaptcurrentwheatvarietiestocopewiththeseenvironmentalchallengessaysStevePattersonBayerCropSciencesglobalcropmanagerforcereals.Someclimatemodelsevenshowthatatemperatureriseoftwodegreesby2050willlowerwheatyieldsbyanaverageof20percent.EveryoneinthewheatsectoristryingtomovenewandimprovedproductsfastertotheconsumersaysRich.BecauseoftheincreasedresourcesbeinginvestedintowheatRichsaysthatthefunctionalityofmarkershascomealongway.Wecansortthroughthebadstuffmuchfasterandthefasterwecansortthroughthebadstuffandgettothegoodstuffthefasterandmoreefficientwearehesaysnotingthattheuseofdouble-hap-loidshelpstodecreasethetimeittakestogettothemarketplace.Marker-assistedbreedinganddouble-haploidtechnologyworktogether.Weusebothtoproducemoredouble-haploidsandincreaseefficiencywiththemarkershesays.Wheatisverycomplexbutitsalsoveryefficientandcanbufferitselfwhereveritsgrownaroundtheworld.ItsknownasatoughcropsaysRichwhohasessentiallygrownupinthewheatbreedingindustry.HisfatherisawheatbreederandRichusedtospendhoursadaywithhimasakidlookingatwheat.Richsaysthattodaytheindustryneedstopushyieldpotentialandtakeittothenextlevel.HesaysoneofthebenefitsofworkingforSyngentaisitsworldwidecerealsandwheatbreedingprogram.Icanaccessgermplasmfromanywherewhichhelpstoenhanceourlocalgermplasmbasethatsahugebenefithesays.IgettolookatwheatallovertheworldbringsomebacktoKansasandmakecrossesthatcouldbringpromisetoproducersinthePlains.Richaddsthatthemostimportantthingforanywheatbreed-ingprogramisstillthecombinecuttingplotstoseehowalineperforms.Themoretestplotswecanharvestandcollectdatafromthebetterhesays.Themorenumbersyourunthemorelikelyyouaretofindtheonesthatwilltakeyoutothatnextlevel.BREEDINGWHEATTOENDURESTRESSEveryriseofjustacoupleofdegreesabove82inthefloweringstagescutsyieldsby3to4Wearefacingthetwinchallengesofhowtoincreaseintrinsicyieldandadaptcurrentwheatvarietiestocopewiththeseenvironmentalchallenges.StevePatterson 30SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014Likeyouheswaitingforplantingseason.Dontletbirdseatyourproftsbeoretheyemerge.ProtectyourseedwithAvipelShieldthefrstscientifcallydevelopedandhighlyeectivebirdrepellentappliedtoyourseedbeoreplanting.Onetasteandbirdsmoveon.AvailableoruseasaliquidanddrytreatmentAvipelisnon-systemicandnon-lethal.Bird-proofyourseedfromplantingthroughemergencewithAvipel.855-521-7447avipel.comBreedingLocalInsiftingthroughthedatabreederssuchasRicharelookingatstrawstrengthmaturitydiseaseandvirusesandmaintainingorimprovingmillingandbackingquality.Ineveryregionwheatbreedersarelookingtoachievesome-thingdifferent.Richwhoseregioncomprises16millionacresofwheatisfocusedonmaximizingyields.Werereallylookingfortop-endyieldpotentialthatcanbegrownindrylandandirriga-tionhesays.Wetakegrowthperformancestrawstrengthyieldandtolerancetofusariumheadblightintoaccount.Wheatbreederswouldliketoseewheatasarotationalter-nativetohelpalleviateweedresistanceandmanagefarmrisks.AsyoumoveeastofInterstate35youdontseemuchwheatbecauseoftheeconomicsofcornandsoybeansRichsaysnotingthatallvarietiesaresusceptibletofusariumheadblight.Thewinterwheatvarietiesdonthaveahighlevelofresistance.Fusariumthrivesinhumidandwetconditions.RichsaysthateverywheatvarietyhasanAchillesheelofsomekind.AtSyngentawelookathowwecannegatethatAchillesheeleitherwithseedtreatmentsplantingdatesoragronomicpracticeshesays.IftheAchillesheelistoobigthevarietynevermakesittothemarket.Westrivetogiveproducersthehighest-yieldingvarietieswiththerecipetoachievethat.AllourlinesarethoroughlytestedacrossmanylocationsineightstatesfromNorthDakotatoTexas.Wearetestingforwinterhardinesstoidentifyanyattrib-utesthatmightbeeitherbeneficialordetrimentaltofarmers.HybridontheHorizonRichcouldntspeakspecificallytoSyngentasworkwithhybridwheatbuthesaysthefutureisbright.BasedonthecompanysexperiencewithhybridbarleyinEuropeSyngentaisconfidentitcanmakehybridwheatvarietiesavailabletogrowersinkeymarketswithinadecade.WhileprimarilyfocusedonadvancingcornandsoybeangeneticsaswellascanolaandriceDuPontPioneerannouncedthatithasaddedhybridwheattechnologytoitsrosterofcropresearchprograms.Wereleveragingourexpertiseinwheatbreedingandhybridseedproductiontodevelopanewgenera-tionofhybridwheatsaysJohnSoperDuPontPioneervicepresidentofcropgeneticsresearchanddevelopment.Theseadvancementswillbringaboutnewyieldpotentialforwheatfarmers.Thecompanyisatleastadecadeawayfromcommer-cializingitsnewwheat.ResearchershaveidentifiedthegenestheywantandarenowstartingtomaketransformationsandfigureoutwhichcombinationsworkbestSopersays.AttheendofthedaywearealltryingtogivefarmersthebestyieldsRichsays.SWAttheendofthedaywearealltryingtogivefarmersthebestyields.JonRich BULKSEEDSYSTEMSWith30yearsofexperiencedesigningandmanufacturingseedhandlingsystemsConvey-Allisthelogicalchoiceforyourbulkseedsite.Whetheryourequireanindividualcomponentoracompletesystemforyouroutsidestorageyardorinsideyourplantoursystemsaredesignedtohandledelicateseedsandreducecrosscontamination.WithConvey-AllyougetthepeaceofmindthatallourproductsincludeCompletecustomdesignfabricationinstallationandaftersalesservicesIn-plantandstorageyardsystemsCapacitiestomatchyourexactrequirementsSeedtreatingandothersystemsarecompatibleandcanbeincorporatedIdealforbulkseedplantsfromConvey-AllIndustriesInc.RECEIVEACOMPLIMENTARYSEEDHANDLINGINFORMATIONPACKAGECall1-800-418-9461orregisteratWWW.CONVEY-ALL.COMwww.convey-all.com HELPFARMERSSOWSEEDSOFSUCCESSWITHCOVERCROPSGiveThemtheFactsReduceSoilErosionExtensiverootsystemsclingtothetoplayerofthesoilcreatinganinteriorshieldfromerosionwhiletopgrowthminimizeswinderosion.GenerateAdditionalForageCertaincovercropspecieshavetheaddedbenefitofbeingmulti-purposemeaningtheycanactasasoilcoverandbemanagedasaforagesource.ProvidePestControlMostcovercropsthatsuppressweedsduringthewintermonthscanconsequentlyreducenematodepopulations.Somecovercropoptionscausenema-todeeggstohatchprematurelyinthefallratherthanthespring.Thisdepleteseggnumbersandpopulationsbecausethenematodespresenthavenohosttofeedon.32SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014 CreateFinancialValueAllofthesebenefitscreatetheopportunityforbetteryieldpotentialincashcropslowerinputcostsandultimatelyincreaselandvalues.Inadditionmanystatesandcountiesoffercost-sharinginitiatives.SequesterNutrientsTheseplantsaggressivelyscavengeandcyclenutrientsfromdeepwithinthesoilmakingthemavailableintherootzoneofsubsequentcrops.Thishelpstoimproveyieldswhilereducingrunoff.BuildOrganicMaterialThroughoutthelifecycleofacovercroptheyaddorganichumustosoilandfeedmicrobes.Thisinturnimprovessoiltilthsoilqualityandwaterholdingcapacity.CreateaNitrogenSourceByusingalegumecovercropmixtheadditionalnitrogenwillhelptofixnitrogenfromtheatmospheretothesoil.AlleviateSoilCompactionDeepburrowingrootsbreakthroughcompactedsoiltocreatechannelswhichimprovesaerationandwatermovement.ProvideWeedControlCovercropscreatecompetitionforwinterannualsandotherweedsshadingthemout.Thisensuresyourcropaccesstoalltheavailablemoistureandnutrientswiththepotentialofloweringherbiciderequirementsperacre.OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM33 34SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014DENNISTHOMPSONisdedicatedtodeliveringsolutionsandempoweringpeopleandorganiza-tionstosolvecomplexproblemsrelatedtointernationalagricul-turaldevelopmentandglobalfoodsecurity.Hiscareerexperienceandinternationalcredentialsincludeextensioneduca-tionagronomyandadministration.ItsAHighWireActINTERNATIONALAGRICULTURALDEVELOPMENTWHATISITEXACTLYThisisthequestioncolleagueskeepaskingmeaboutseedsystemsdevelopment.ThetopicwasfirstraisedbyaseasonedstationmanagerfromPuertoRicoandnextbyalong-timeU.S.productionlocationmanager.Togainabetterunderstandingletslookatthechallengesencounteredduringseedsystemsdevelopment.Theviewfromthisvantagepointisunsettlingtosaytheleast.Firstseedssystemsdevelopmentoccurswherethereisatotallackoforatbestanon-functioningnationalsystemtoconductbasicandappliedagriculturalresearchorprovidepracticaleducationtofarmersandindustryrepresentatives.Intheselocationscitizenstoooftenexperienceimperiledpersonallibertiesandbasicsecurity.Additionallythereslimitedagriculturaltechnol-ogyandinputsupplieroptions.Safeguardstoprotectcitizensfromharmfulbusinesspracticesarevoid.Therealburdenisthattheresnosystemofassurancethatfosterscommercialactivity.Thecomponentsofanationaleconomysuchasthemonetarysystemorpublicpolicystructureappearshakyatbest.Commercialsec-torsthatcanhelpdrivetheeconomysuchasagriculturebankingandtransportationarelikelyquitefragileorevennonexistent.Publicsectorservicessuchashealthcareelectricitynavigablewaterwaysandinteriorroadwaysarebarelyoperational.Thetimeandeffortexpendedtoacquirefoodforthefamilyareadailychallenge.Technologyishardtocomeby.Imaginenothavingasinglepracticalsourcefromwhichtoobtaincommer-cialfertilizerpresumingonehadthemoney.Ifcomput-ersareavailabletheyarelikelyold.Internetaccessandreliabilityareproblematic.Addtoitthatadultliteracylevelsareoftenlowthereforemanyarenotinclinedtoseekinformationnoraretheypreparedtouseit.Inmostcasesseedsystemsdevelopmentismoreaboutimprovinganexistingsystemthancreatinganewone.Seedsystemscanrangefromextremelyinformaltohighlystructured.Butkeepinmindthatthedevelopmentofaseedsystemisnotalinealprocess.Akeyquestionishowreadilycangermplasmbeobtainedandvarietiesdevelopedthatwillbeappropri-ateforagivengeographyproductionsystemorsocialstructureunderpresentdayeconomicrealitiesHowmuchtimemightlapsebeforeachievinganysuccessWhatlevelofinvestmentmightberequiredOncelaunchedhowlikelyisitthatongoingsupportwillbeadequatetoassurefarmersapipelineofnewvarietiesPresumingappropriatevarietiescanbedevelopedthenextchallengebecomesorganizingthemultiplica-tionanddisseminationofnewervarietiesinamannerthatsatisfiesfarmerdemandatlocalpriceswhilemain-tainingtheintegrityoftheseed.HowlongwillittakeforfarmerdemandatlocalpricestosupportthecreationofareliableoperationforseedmultiplicationDemandforimprovedvarietiesisdeterminedbyfarmerawarenessofnewofferingsandtheperceivedbenefit.ShouldfarmerstrustthetestresultsusedtopromotetheseedDofarmerspossessabeliefsystemthatcausesthemtoquestioniftheseedisappropri-atetouseWhatsbeentheirpreviousexperiencewithimprovedseedCanfarmersbeassuredanadequatesupplyofseedwillbeavailableatanacceptablepriceLogisticalissuescaninterferewithgettingimprovedseedtofarmersandbecomesacriticalfactorwhenfarmersmakeseedchoices.WillimprovedseedbeavailableinatimelyfashionDeliveriestosomesubsist-encevillagesmightbeinfrequentandunreliable.Roadsdontreachorevengetnearsomevillages.Seedmustbeavailablewhentherainscomeincertainlocalitiesoronemustwaitforthenextraincycle.Nothavingseedonhandwhentheplantingseasonarriveswilllikelyleadtoadisruptioninthefamilyfoodsupply.Improvingaseedsysteminalesser-developedcountryisalong-termproject.Typicallymultidisci-plinaryteamscomprisedoftalentedanddedicatededucationalandtechnicalcollaboratorsbecomefullyengagedwithkeyin-countrypersonnel.Muchsupportbothintheformoffinancialresourcesandgovernmen-talbackingisalsorequiredonalong-termbasis.Justdoingtherightthingsanddoingthingsrightisnotenough.Timingofimplementationmustbeontargettobringaboutthepropermagnitudeofchangenottooslownottoomuchnottoofastandnottoofew.Thefinesserequiredtorefineaseedsystemissomewhatcomparabletothatneededofacircusper-formerteeteringacrossadeepchasmwhileonthehighwire.Inthelanguageofseedsystemspractitionersthisdelicatebalancingactisknownasscaling.SW Thefirstandonlytrainingcompanytoconductoptimizedseedtraiteducationstewardshipandcompliancetrainingforseedcompaniesdealersgrowersandfieldspecialists.Withmultipletrainingservices10yearsindustryexperienceandcustomizedtrainingtechnologySTEPhasdevelopedtrainingresearchandcompliancepartnershipswithkeyseedindustrycompanies.Thesepartnershipsaredrivingbreakthroughdiscoveriesintraittechnologycomplianceandstewardshiptraining.Tapintoourexperienceandexpertiseanduseourservicestodevelopatrainingprogramforyourcompanyorsupportanalreadyexistingprogram.OursupportservicesincludeTargetedSeedDealernetworktrainingandeducationOn-FarmAssessmentsOn-siteGrowerEducationTraitRoyaltyintegrityIntellectualPropertytrainingProgramIntegrityandComplianceAndmoreBenefitfromoveradecadeofouruniqueAgIndustryexperienceandsupportservices...LetuscustomizeaprogramthatfitsyourSeedTraitandProductStewardshipneeds.Contactustodayat1-877-330-STEP-7837oremailusatcontacts-t-e-p.orgforaconsultationandneedsassessment.WewouldlovetodiscusshowSTEPcansupportyourcompanysAgIndustryefforts. DOESITSEEMthatpestssuchasinsectsandweedsarebecomingmoreresistanttotheever-increasingtechnolo-giesthattheseedandcropprotectionindustriesarethrowingatthemItsimportantthatasthedirectconnec-tiontofarmersyouworkwiththemtoimplementintegratedpestmanagementpracticestoincreasethelongevityofyourcompanyssuiteofproducts.TodaywesterncornrootwormEuropeancornborerpinkbollwormpalmeramaranthwaterhempandmarestailcauseheadachesonthefarmastheyvebecomeresistanttoon-farmmanagementpracticessomuchsothatsomefarmersarehiringcrewstowalkfieldsandphysicallyremovesomeoftheseweeds.Itsfascinatingtoseewhatshappen-ingwithinsectpopulationssaysJosephSpenceraninsectbehavioristattheUniversityofIllinois.Wealwaysthinkthelatestandgreatestproductisgoingtobethelastthingwethrowatitandthenweresurprisedwhenpestsfindawayaroundit.Resistanceisnothingnew.Foraslongasmanhasbeentillingthelandandraisingacropinsectsandweedshaveevolvedandadaptedtotheever-chang-ingmanagementpractices.AccordingtoJeffGunsolusanExtensionagronomistattheUniversityofMinnesotathefirstreportofinsectsresistanttoinsecticideswasin1908ofplantpathogensresistanttofungicidesin1940andofweedsresist-anttoherbicidesin1968.ConrmingSeedOrdersSTRATEGYAfeaturedsegmentdesignedtosharebusiness-criticalinformationtoseed-sellingprofessionals.VisitSeedWorld.comtodownloadthisdepartmentandothertoolstohelpyousellseedtofarmers.TheScienceofResistanceEvolutioncantbestoppedbutitcanbedelayed.MostrecentlyscientistsstudyingBtresistanceinpinkbollwormidenti-fiedmutationsinageneresponsibleforencodingaproteincalledcadherin.ItsessentialthattheBttoxinbindtocad-herinduringtheintoxicationprocesssaysBruceTabashnikheadoftheDepartmentofEntomologyattheUniversityofArizona.MutationsthatdisruptcadherinblockthisbindingwhichleavestheinsectunscathedbytheBttoxin.Itsthesemutantsthatgivewaytothesuccessofpests.Howeverresearchersarelearningthatitsnotjustoneorafewmuta-tionsthatareresponsibleforresistance.In17yearsofresearchandscreen-ingmorethan10000individualinsectsfromArizonaweidentifiedfourcadherin-basedresistantmutationsTabashniksays.AndinjusteightindividualinsectsfromIndiawefound19differentcadherinvariantsthatconferresistance.Itblewourminds.BysequencingtheDNAofresistantpinkbollwormcollectedfromfieldsinIndiawhichgrowsmoreBtcottonthan36SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014Cornrootwormlarvaearewhiteandslenderwithabrownheadanddarkplateontopoftheposteriorend.ThelarvaebeginfeedingonandtunnelingintorootsinlateMay.PHOTOJOHNOBERMEYERPURDUEEXTENSIONENTOMOLOGY anycountryintheworldtheteamfoundthattheinsectsproduceremarkablydiversedisruptedvariantsofcadherin.Theresearcherslearnedthattheastonish-ingdiversityofcadherininpinkbollwormfromIndiaiscausedbyalternativesplic-inganovelmechanismofresistancethatallowsasingleDNAsequencetocodeformanyvariantsofaprotein.Ourfindingsrepresentthefirstexam-pleofalternativesplicingassociatedwithBtresistancethatevolvedinthefieldsaysJeffreyFabrickanentomologistwiththeU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureAgriculturalResearchServiceinMaricopaArizonawholedthestudy.Thisfindingshowsthediversemecha-nismsthatinsectspossesstoevolvesaysMarioSobernaBtexpertattheUniversidadNacionalAutnomadeMxicoinCuernavaca.Spencerencouragestheseedandcropprotectionindustriestoworkmorecloselywithfarmerstobettermanageanintegratedpestmanagementstrat-egy.WeneedtobecarefulinhowweOCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM37PlantphysiologistFranckDayanobserveswild-typeandherbicide-resistantbiotypesofpigweedPalmerAmaranthasMississippiStateUniversitygraduatestudentDanielaRibeirocollectsplantsamplesforDNAanalysis.PHOTOUSDA-ARS.Wealwaysthinkthelatestandgreatestproductisgoingtobethelastthingwethrowatitandthenweresurprisedwhenpestsfindawayaroundit.JosephSpencer 38SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014operatesowedontlosetheuseofthesetoolshesays.Btcropsareagreattoolthatcanbeusedtomanageinsects.Ifwedonthavethemweretakingahugestepback.WagingAWaronWeedsWhenweturnourattentiontowardweedsanddifferentcontrolstrategiesitseasytoseetheevolution.In1946thedebutof24-Dtokillbroadleafweedskickedoffaneraofrow-cropherbi-cides.In1958atrazinewasintroducedtocontrolanumberofbroadleavesandgrasses.In1970weedscientistsinWashingtondiscoveracommongroundselbiotyperesistanttoatrazinesmodeofaction.Andovertimemoreweedsdevelopresistance.From1970to1989sevennewmodesofactionarereleasedglufosi-nateglyphosatefenoxapropIsoxaflutoleLactofenlmazethapyrandNorflurazon.Thenin1996RoundupReadyanonselectiveherbicidetechnologythatenabledglyphosatetoblanketthecropwhiledestroyingnearlyalltheweedswaslaunched.In2000glyphosateresist-antmarestailwasidentifiedinDelaware.By2004glyphosate-resistantmarestailspreadsacross500000acres.Todayglyphosateisusedon95percentofU.S.soybeanacresand65percentofcornacres.In2005thefirstglyphosate-resistantwaterhempwasconfirmedinMissouri.By2008asurveyof200Iowacommonwaterhemppopu-lationsshowedthatone-thirdresistedglyphosate.Andthetrendcontinueswithwide-spreadadoptionandcontinueduseofproductscomesresistanceevenwithtriple-stacksandquad-stacks.AccordingtotheUniversityofMinnesotasJeffGunsolusselectionforchangeinweedpopulationsbeginswithasmallnumberofplantswithinaweedspeciesthathaveageneticmakeupena-blingthemtosurviveaparticularappli-Theleavesofmarestailarealternatelinearandsimplewithentirely-orslightly-toothedmargins.Matureplantshaveleaveswithnopetioles.cation.Hesaysitsnotclearwherethisdifferenceingeneticmakeuporiginatedherbicidesunlikeinsecticidesarenotknowntodirectlycauseageneticchangeormutationthatallowsresistance.ThismeanstheresistantbiotypeisTheresistantbiotypeispresentinlownumbersinnaturalpopulationsandwhenaherbicideisappliedmostofthesusceptibleweedsdiebutthefewresistantonessurvivematureandproduceseed.JeffGunsolusPHOTOBOBHARTZLERIOWASTATEUNIVERSITY. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM39presentinlownumbersinnaturalpopu-lationsandwhenaherbicideisappliedmostofthesusceptibleweedsdiebutthefewresistantonessurvivematureandproduceseedGunsolussays.Ifthesameherbicidecontinuestobeappliedandtheresistantweedsreproducethepercentageofweedpopulationthatisresistantwillincrease.Gunsolussaysthatwhileitsdifficulttopredictexactlywhichweedspecieswillhavebiotypesresistanttoagivenherbi-cideresearchershavelearnedthattheoccurrenceofresistantweedsislinkeddirectlytotheherbicideprogramsusedtheweedspeciespresentandthecropmanagementpracticesemployed.Gunsolussaysthatselectionintensityiskeytoprevention.Withsuchhighlyeffectiveherbicidesonewouldthinkthattheincreaseinthenumberofherbi-cideresistantbiotypeswouldbereadilyobservablehoweverthisisnotthecasehesays.Resistantbiotypesgenerallyareonlydetectablewhentheymakeupabout30percentofthepopulation.Duringthefirstseveralyearsofaweedcontrolprogramthatreliesononlyoneherbicidetheproportionofresistantbiotypesisverylowlessthan1percentofthepopulationheexplains.Aslongastheapplicationofthisherbicidecontinuesandtheresistantbiotypesreproducehesaystheproportionofthepopulationthatisresistantwillincrease.Itsverycommontogofromoneexcellentcontrolofaparticularweedspeciestoverypoorcontrolofaparticu-larwithinonegrowingseasonGunsolusexplains.Hereportsthatinfieldsituationsresistancetosulfonylureaherbicidesoftenoccursafterthreetofiveyearsofrepeateduse.Withtriazineherbicidesresistanceusuallyappearsaftersevenormoreyearsofrepeateduse.DependingupontheproportionofthepopulationthatwasinitiallyresistanttoaherbiciderepeateduseofaproductformorethantwoyearscoulddevelopaherbicideresistanceproblemGunsolussaysnotingthatthereareafewherbi-cidecharacteristicsthataffectresistance.Thesecharacteristicsincludeherbicidesthatactonasinglesiteofactionareappliedmultipletimesduringthegrowingseasonareusedforseveralconsecutivegrowingseasonsorrepeatedapplica-tionofherbicideswiththesamesiteofactiontothesameordifferentcropsandthatareusedwithoutotherweedcontroloptions.WhenworkingwithfarmerstheUniversityofIllinoisSpencersaysafewstepscangoalongway.Spencerrecom-mendsencouragingfarmerstoactivelyscoutfieldsrotatecropsmoveawayfromatraitforaseasonmixupmanage-mentoptionsrotatehybridsplantpyra-midsandremembertherefuge.Farmersmustcontinuallyevolvetheirmanagementstrategiestoprotecttheircropagainstresistantinsectsandresist-antweedsSpencersaysaddingthatalittleplanningcangoalongway.SWPHOTOBOBHARTZLERIOWASTATEUNIVERSITY.Theleavesofgiantragweedareslightlyhairywiththreetofivelobes.Apinkbollwormcaterpillaremergesafterdevouringseedsinsideacottonboll.PHOTOALEXYELICHUNIVERSITYOFARIZONA 40SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014ITSBEENREPORTEDandthoughtthatMonsantoinpart-nershipwithForageGeneticsInternationalwouldbethefirsttomarketwithalow-ligninalfalfabutatthisyearsWorldDairyExpoAlforexSeedslaunchedHi-Gestlow-ligninalfalfa.FollowingeightyearsofresearchandextensivetestingconventionallybredHi-Gestisbeingdescribedasagamechangerofferingimproveddigestibilityhighyieldsandaddi-tionalharvestflexibilitytofarmers.Ligninisastructuralcompo-nentofalfalfathatisnotdigest-iblebylivestock.Aspartoftheresearchagronomistsanimalnutritionistsbreedersandtechni-caladvisorsworkingonHi-Gesttrackeddigestiblefiberalgorithmstomonitorhowthelowligninisbrokendownanddigestedindairycows.Simplystatedlow-ligninalfalfadeliversimproveddigest-ibilityandallowscowstoincreasedrymatterintakeyieldingmoremilkpertonofalfalfaexplainsRonCornishgeneralmanagerforAlforexSeeds.AlforexSeedsasubsidiaryofDowAgroSciencesreportsthatdairycowsfedHi-Gestalfalfacouldproduceuptoanadditional2.5poundsofmilkpercowperday.Additionallylow-ligninalfalfapresentsanopportunitytoreducefeedrationcosts.DavidJohnsonanAlforexSeedsteammemberandbreedersaysthatHi-Gestalfalfatakesawaythetrade-offthathastra-ditionallyexistedbetweenhighforageyieldsandhighforagequality.AlimitednumberofHi-GestdormanciesarebeingofferedinForageFrenzyAlforexSeedsBeatsMonsantoForageGeneticsInternationaltotheMarket.JulieDeeringselectregionsduringtheforagesintroductoryseason.AlforexSeedswillrolloutadditionaldormanciesacrossanexpandedgrowingareain2015.Theotherbenefitthatlow-ligninalfalfaoffersfarmersistheaddedflexibilityduringharvest.Farmerscanharvestontheirregularscheduleandgethigher-qualityhayortheycanchoosetodelaytheharvestbyuptosevendaysandgetahayqualitycom-parabletoharveststheyreceivedbeforeusingHi-GestCornishexplains.WaitingGameAccordingtoMonsantosweb-siteitsgeneticallymodifiedreduced-ligninalfalfaisstillwaitingregulatoryapprovalbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture.ItspetitionfornonregulatedstatusofHi-Gestalfalfacouldyielduptoanadditional2.5poundsofmilkpercowperday. Drive-overHopperConventionalAugerConventionalAuger-FeterlOriginalBacksaverAuger-FeterlOriginal1214BacksaverAuger-FeterlOriginal12BacksaverAuger101316UtilityAugerUnloadingAugerRollermillHammermillGrainVac-PTOModelGrainVac-DieselModelGrainCleanerCrucialdetailsconnectingyourcombinetothemarketVisitwww.farm-king.comtofndadealernearyou.2014BuhlerTradingInc.infobuhler.comwww.farm-king.comHigherinputcostsandtightermarginsrequireacompletegrainmanagementystemtomakeyouroperationasproftableaspossible.ThecompletelineoarmKinggrainhandlingequipmentensuresyougettopdollaroryourcrop.ithdecadesograinhandlingexperienceFarmKingoerseverythingyouneedtogetyourgraintomarketateritleavesthecombine.www.farm-king.comGrainCart-10601360 42SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014reduced-ligninalfalfahasbeeninaholdingpatternsinceNovemberof2012.MarkMcCaslinForageGeneticsInternationalvicepresi-dentsayshesbeenouttalkingaboutthebenefitsoflow-ligninalfalfaforthepastfouryearsasthetwocompanieshavemovedfromthediscoveryphaseandproofofconcept.WhileitsnotMonsantosreduced-ligninalfalfaMcCaslinsaystheresalotofexcitementamonggrowers.MonsantoandForageGeneticsInternationaldevelopedabio-technology-derivedlow-ligninalfalfaKK179bysuppressingakeyenzymeduringtheplantssynthesisofligninwhichresultsina12percentlowerlignincontentaccordingtothederegulationpetitionbeforetheUSDA.RatherthanputtinganewgeneintheplantwetookanexistinggeneandturneddownthevolumecommonlycalledaknockoutMcCaslinexplainsnotingthatfromaregulatorystandpointitsalittledifferent.Iwouldntsaythatitwillexpe-ditetheregulatoryprocessbutitprobablysimplifiessomeoftheanalysis.WhileMonsantoandForageGeneticsInternationalsreduced-ligninalfalfaremainsonholdtheyreseeinggreatsuccesswithGenuityRoundupReadyalfalfawhichwasgeneticallyengineeredtoresistglyphosateherbicides.WefeelgoodthatfarmersarefindingvalueinthetraitMcCaslinsays.Itsauniquetoolforweedcontrolinalfalfaespeciallyduringstandestablishmentbutalsoforcontrolofperennialweedsinestablishedstands.Inlate2001theUniversityofCaliforniareleasedresultsofasurveythatshowed72percentofU.S.respondentswhogrewRoundupReadyalfalfawouldgrowitagain.ForageGeneticsInternationalconducteditsownmarketresearchthatechoesthosefindings.WevedonequiteafewgrowersurveystogetfeedbackfromgrowersintermsoftheirexperiencewithRoundupReadytechnologyandwhatweseegen-erallyinallpartsofthecountryis...thosegrowerswhoaretryingitarereportingthattheyvehadaposi-tiveexperienceandareplantingmoreacresMcCaslinsays.AddingValueAnythingthataddsvalueforgrow-ersislikelytobewell-received.Toaddvaluetotheseed...isagoodthingfortheindustryandforagricultureMcCaslinsays.Ithinktheindustryisgoingtobesupport-iveofanythingthataddsvaluetocropsandhelpsfarmersbemoreprofitable.TheresbeentalkthatonceMonsantoandForageGeneticsInternationalslow-ligninalfalfaisderegulatedthecompanieswilllooktocombineitwiththeirRoundupReadytechnology.WethinkbothofthesetraitsaddsignificantvalueandflexibilityforgrowersMcCaslinsays.SWSimplystatedlow-ligninalfalfadeliversimproveddigestibilityandallowscowstoincreasedrymatterintakeyieldingmoremilkpertonofalfalfa.RonCornish PONCHOVOTiVONOWAVAILABLEFORCORNCOTTONANDSOYBEANS.BayerCropScienceLP2TWAlexanderDriveResearchTriangleParkNC27709.Alwaysreadandfollowlabelinstructions.BayertheBayerCrossPonchoandVOTiVOareregisteredtrademarksofBayer.PonchoVOTiVOisnotregisteredinallstates.Foradditionalproductinformationcalltoll-free1-866-99-BAYER1-866-992-2937orvisitourwebsiteatwww.BayerCropScience.us.CR0812PONVOTA014V00R0Appliedonmorethan14millionacresofcornalreadyPonchoVOTiVOseedtreatmentfromBayerCropSciencehelpsfarmersachievehigherlevelsofproductionbyusingasystemicagentthathelpsprotectthewholeplantagainstinsectpests.PonchoVOTiVOalsousesabiologicalcomponentthatprotectsagainstnematodesduringearlydevelopmentleadingtohealthierstandsandlargeryields.Sogettreatedandgetgrowing.FormoreinformationcontactyourSeedDealerorBayerCropScienceRepresentativeorvisitponchovotivo.us.SUREWECOULDTELLYOUABOUTTHEPOSITIVEEFFECTSOFTREATINGYOURSEEDS.BUTITREALLYBOILSDOWNTOTWOWORDS 44SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014DROUGHTFLOODINGandotherextremeglobalweathereventsappeartobeontherisewhichhasresearchersworkingtobreedtoleranceforwaterstressintoplants.Thisverytopicwasthethemeofthe2014jointmeetingoftheNationalAssociationofPlantBreedersandthePlantBreedingCoordinatingCommitteewhichwasheldinMinneapolisMinnesotainearlyAugust.Theconferencefeaturedpres-entationsonbreedingtolerancetowaterstressfrominternationalexpertsincludingB.M.PrasannadirectoroftheGlobalMaizeProgramattheInternationalMaizeandWheatImprovementCenterCIMMYTandDavidMackillaplantsciencemanageratMarsInc.andanadjunctprofessorinplantsciencesattheUniversityofCaliforniaDavis.BasedinKenyaPrasannatalkedaboutbreedingdrought-tolerantmaizevarietiesinAfrica.Inthesub-Saharanregionmaizeisaveryimportantcropforfoodsecurityhesays.Forthemmaizeislife.Unfortunatelymaizeinsub-SaharanAfricahasverylowyieldcomparedtowhatyouseeinthedevelopedregions.Prasannasaystheselowyieldsareduetofrequentdroughtcon-ditions.Almostthreeoutofevery10yearswehaveseendroughtstressinmanymaizegrowingcountriesinsub-SaharanAfricaputtingthesmallholderfarmersBreedingtolerancetoabioticstressesofdroughtandfloodingwasthethemeofthisyearsjointmeetingoftheNationalAssociationofPlantBreedersandthePlantBreedingCoordinatingCommittee.MARKHALSALLAveteranjournalistMarkhasmorethantwodecadesofprintandbroadcastexperience.ToreadmorearticleswrittenbyMarkvisitSeedWorld.com.DealingwithTooLittleorTooMuchWaterPHOTOCOURTESYOFTHEINTERNATIONALRICERESEARCHINSTITUTE.DavidMackillforegroundobservesexperimentsonsubmergence-tolerantriceattheRangpurRiceResearchStationinBangladesh.Almostthreeoutofevery10yearswehaveseendroughtstressinmanymaizegrowingcountriesinsub-SaharanAfricaputtingthesmallholderfarmersthereattremendousrisk.B.M.Prasanna www.plantbreeding.orgThankstooursponsorswhomadethe2014NationalAssociationofPlantBreedersmeetingpossibleDIAMONDSPONSORSPLATINUMSPONSORSSILVERSPONSORSBRONZESPONSORSGOLDSPONSORSCollegeofFoodAgriculturalandNaturalResourceSciencesUMMasterofScienceinPlantBreeding-OnlineOption 46SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014thereattremendousriskPrasannaexplains.CIMMYTincollaborationwithpublicandprivatepartnershasbeensuccessfulduringthepastsevenyearsindevelopinganddeployingmorethan150drought-tolerantmaizevarietiesfortheregion.Prasannasaysthenewdrought-tolerantmaizevarietieswereproducedusingconventionalbreedingmethodsandastrongerpipelineisemergingthroughtheuseofdouble-haploidandmarker-assistedbreedingtechnologies.CIMMYTalsopartnerswiththeAfricanAgriculturalTechnologyFoundationMonsantoandothermultinationalcompaniestoinves-tigatetransgenicmethodsforbreedingdrought-tolerantmaize.Thoseproductsarenotimmedi-atelyavailablebuttheyareunder-goingextensivetestinginconfinedfieldtrialsPrasannasaysnotingthattheearliestAfricanfarmersmighthaveaccesstothefirstoftheseGMproductsis2017.TheseproductswillhavenotonlydroughttolerancebutalsoinsectresistancethatistheBttechnology.NAPB-PBCCMEETINGSETSARECORDThisyearsmeetingoftheNationalAssociationofPlantBreedersandPlantBreedingCoordinatingCommitteeinMinneapolisMinnesotadrew260participantsarecordattendanceaccordingtomeetingcommitteechairAllenVanDeynze.ThiswasourbestconferenceintermsofnumberssaysVanDeynzewhoisalsodirectorofresearchattheUniversityofCaliforniaDavisSeedBiotechnologyCenter.Thiswasalsothefirsttimetheconferencefeaturedaspecifictopic.Thethemeofbreedingfortolerancetowaterstresswaswellreceivedbyparticipants.Itsareallyhottopicwiththeextremeswerehavingwithtoomuchwaterandtoolittlewaterandthebigchallengesthispresentsinplantbreeding.HostedbySyngentathejointNAPB-PBCCmeetingfeaturedpresentationsontheconferencethemeofbreedingtoleranceforwaterstressaswellasothertopicsdeliveredbyplantbreedersandgraduatestudents.InadditionfieldtourstotheSyngentaresearchstationinnearbyStantonMinnesotaaswellastheUniversityofMinnesotawereattendedbymostoftheparticipants.ItsagreatconferenceforstudentssaysVanDeynzeaddingthat90graduatestudentswereamongtheattendeeswhichwasalsoarecordnumber.Theassociationtriestoincludethegraduatestudentsinboththebusinesssideofthingsaswellastheresearchandpresentationsideofthings.VanDeynzesaysthistiesinwithoneoftheprimarypurposesoftheconferencewhichistopromoteinteractionbetweenstudentsandpotentialemployersintheplantbreedingindustry.Duringtheconferencesixgraduatestudentswerehonoredfortheirresearchcontributionsandpresentationskills.ChristineBradishofNorthCarolinaStateUniversityAmyJacobsonoftheUniversityofMinnesotaandSarahGroganofColoradoStateUniversitywereselectedtogivepresentations.TylerTiedeoftheUniversityofMinnesotaJessicaGilbertoftheUniversityofFloridaandJenniferKimballofNorthCarolinaStateUniversitywererecognizedfortheirposters.Inadditionthreeprominentplantbreederswerehonoredfortheirworkanddistinguishedcareers.NAPBrecognizedWilliamMeyerprofessoranddirectorofturfgrassbreedingatRutgersUniversitywithits2014PlantBreedingImpactAward.MariaSalasFernandezassistantprofessorintheagronomydepartmentatIowaStateUniversityreceivedthe2014NAPBEarlyCareerAward.Andthe2014NAPBLifetimeAchievementAwardwasgiventoTedCrosbieDistinguishedScienceFellowEmeritusatMonsantoCompanyretired.SubmergenceandDrought-ResistantRiceAnotherstapleindevelopingpartsoftheworldisrice.PriortojoiningMarsin2011MackillworkedasaplantbreederfortheInternationalRiceResearchInstitutewherehedevelopedmorethan25varietiesofriceandresearchedthegenet-icsofsubmergenceanddroughttoleranceinrice.ThesekindofstressesmainlydroughtbutalsofloodingcauselargelossesforproducerseveryyearMackillsays.MuchoftheworldsagricultureisnotirrigatedsofarmerscantcontrolthewatersupplytheyredependentonAfarmerinZimbabwegrowsadrought-tolerantmaizehybriddevelopedbytheInternationalMaizeandWheatImprovementCentersAfricanteam.PHOTOINTERNATIONALMAIZEANDWHEATIMPROVEMENTCENTER. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM47weatherwhichishighlyerratic.Thebettertheircropscantoler-atethesekindsofconditionsthebettertheproductiontheyllgetinthepooryears.Mackillsaysusingplantbreed-ingtosolvetheproblemmakessense.Ratherthanfarmershavingtoinvestinexpensivetechnologytheyjustneedaccesstovarietiesthatgrowwellunderwaterstressconditions.Itsagoodsolutionespeciallyforfarmersindevelopingcountrieswheretheydonthavetheresourcestomodifytheirenvi-ronmentandimprovetheavailabil-ityofwaterordrainagehesays.MackillworkedwithIRRIfortwodecadesinthePhilippineswheremajorinroadsinricebreed-ingfordroughtandsubmergencetolerancehavebeenmadeduringthepast10years.TheresbeenremarkableprogressondevelopingvarietiesthattoleratethesetwokindsofstresssaysMackilladdingthesenewvarietiesarenowinuseinanumberofAsiancountrieswiththemainbeneficiar-iesbeingIndiaandBangladesh.TheadvantageofthesevarietiesisthatwhentheresadifficultyearthishelpstoprotecttheyieldMackillsays.Howeverinthecaseofseverefloodingordroughtfarmersprobablywonthaveanyyieldatall.AccordingtoMackillsuccessistheresultofbetterunderstandingthegenetics.Inthecaseofsub-mergencetolerancethishasbeenlargelytheidentificationofagenewhichcomesfromatraditionalIndianvarietythatconferstoler-ancetofloodingMackillsays.Thisgenehasbeentransferredbyconventionalbreedingapproachesandmarker-assistedbreedingintothepopularvarietiesgrowninAsia.Inthecaseofdroughtpro-gressisalsocomingalong.Wereseeingthefirstexamplesofvarie-tiesthathavebeendevelopedbyintroducingthesespecificgenesthatconferdroughttoleranceintoapprovedvarietieshesays.Advancesinprecisionbreedingtechniquessuchasmarker-WHEREONTHEWEBThenextNAPB-PBCCmeetingwillbeJuly27-312015atWashingtonStateUniversityinPullmanWashington.Forupdatesonnextyearsconferencevisitplantbreeding.org.assistedandmolecularbreedingenablebreederstoshaveyearsofftheprocessofidentifyingusefulgenesanddevelopingsuccess-fulvarieties.Mackillsaysakeyconsiderationiswhetheranynewvarietywillmakeadifferencetothefarmerandthatwillproducemorecropunderthefarmersconditions.ThatstheultimatetestandIthinkthatswhereweveseensignificantprogressrecently.Mackillsaysmoreresourcesarerequiredinthisareaforfarmerstorealizethefullbenefit.Whilethemolecularunderstandingofricehasadvancedinrecentyearsfieldevaluationofnewvarietiesisoneareathatsgenerallylacking.Manyrice-breedingfacilitiesinAsiaforexampledonthavethenecessaryresourcestoconductproperplantevaluationsonalargescale.ThatsoneofthelimitationsofreallyidentifyingthesespecificgenesMackillsays.Ittakesthecommitmentoffunderstoactuallyimprovethesefacilities.SWPlantbreedingisagoodsolutionespeciallyforfarmersindevelopingcountrieswheretheydonthavetheresourcestomodifytheirenvironmentandtheimproveavailabilityofwaterordrainage.DavidMackill 48SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014 50SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014THEWHOLENOTIONofscienceisbasedonthepremisethataparticulartheoryorhypothesisbeingtestedcanbeprovenandreplicatedbyothers.Fortheseedindustrythisnotionofsciencehasntquiteheldupwhenitcomestoresultsfromseedtestingespeciallyfortheconservationandnativeseedindustries.Withrespecttonon-marketissuesthelackofuniform-ityandconsistencyamongseedtestingresultsisoneofthebiggestissuessaysAndyErnstvicepresidentofErnstConservationSeedsinMeadvillePennsylvania.Withoutuniformityinseedtestingitshardforustoknowexactlywhatwearesellingandgivingtoourcustomerespeciallyinanindustrywherethevalueoftheseedisbasedonthepurityandgerminationdeterminedbythetest.ThisvalueisknownasaPureLiveSeedorPLStest.TheAssociationofSeedAnalystsAOSApresidentSusanReedexplainsthatthepurposeofalaboratorytestistohelpestablishtruthinlabeling.AllseedsmarketedandsoldintheUnitedStatesmustbelabeledReedsays.Aspartofthepuritytestweareseparatingoutinertmatterweedseedsandothercropsfromthepureseed.WealsodoanoxioustestthatlooksfornoxiousweedssuchasJohnsongrasswhichcantakeoverafieldandarenteasilycontrolledusinggeneralagriculturalpractices.Ifwefindaprohibitedweedseedthenthatseedmaynotbesoldinourstate.TheNeedforUniformityUnitesNewcollaborationsbetweentheseedindustryandseedtestinglaboratoriesgivewaytothepromiseofachievinguniformityamongtestresults.JulieDeering OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM51Foracatalogcall303.431.7333salesapplewoodseed.comapplewoodseed.comSeedsofWildflowersGardenFlowersSince1965RegionalSpecialUseCustomMixturesHundredsofSpeciesinStockReedexplainsthattogetthepuritypercentagelabtechnicianstakeasubsectionofasampleandseparatetheseedfromtheinertmatterandweigheach.Forthegerminationtestshesaysthetechniciansplanttheseedfromthesampleandcomparethegerminationratestothatofthelabel.IfthetestresultsareoutoftolerancewiththelabelweissueaviolationReedsays.Ifthereisaviolationitdoesntmeanthattheseedcantbesolditjustmeanstheseedmustberelabeledsothereistruthinlabeling.Truthinlabelingisimpor-tantReedsaysbecauseeverydecisionafterthelabtestisbasedoffofit.Forexampleifafarmerislookingtopur-chasecovercropseedheorshedoesntneedcertifiedfoundationseedandmightbewillingtopurchasealowergerminationrateatabetterpriceReedsays.Buttheseedbuyerneedstoknowthecor-rectgerminationratesotheseedingratecanbeadjustedaccordinglysheadds.Despitesomeoftheincon-sistenciesinlabresultsErnstsaysasanindustrywealltrytousewhatwebelievetobethecorrectinformation.Butheexplainsthatthelackofuniformityfromtesttotestmakesitdifficulttohaveconfidenceinthelabel.TheseedtestresultsareusedtorepresentthegerminationrateandviabilityofourproductsErnstsays.Theyhaveadirectimpactonourprofitability.Ernstgivestheexampleofsendingthreesamplesofseedfromthesamelottothreedifferentlaboratories.Hesaystheexpectationisthatthegerminationresultswouldallcomebackwithinafewpointsofeachother.Butwhentheresultsfromthosethreesamplescomebackwithsignificantlydifferentgermina-tionrateswhichoneshouldbeusedtosetthevalueheasks.WhichoneiscorrectThesetestsmeanthedifferencebetweenaseedlotbeingworthhundredsofdollarsorthousandsofdol-lars.Thisisrealmoneyanda10-pointswingamongtestsisahugeswinginprofitabilityErnstsays.NotonlythatbutErnstsaysthatifaseedlotwerelabeledasXpercentforthegerminationrateandhewastobeauditedwiththesecondtestcomingbackasYthenhiscompanywouldbesubjecttoapenaltyfinetoo.Reedacknowledgestheimportanceofconsistencyanduniformityfromtesttotest.Weneedtogetitrightbecausedecisionsarebasedoffofwhatwedoshesays.DiversityCreatesDifficultyTestingnativeandconserva-tionseedsisnoeasytask.TherearehundredsofnativeseedspeciesandwithnativeseedvarietiesErnstsaystherearemultipledormancies.Forinstancewhenplantingcorntheexpectationisthatalltheseedwillgerminatewithinafewdaysofeachotherandveryuniformly.ButwhenplantingafieldofswitchgrassErnstsaysthatsomewillgerminateintwotofourweeksandsomemightnotgerminatefortwoyears.Itsreallyatoughthingtodobecausethesesituationsarenotcut-and-dryErnstsays.Andasanindustryitsimpor-tanttoacknowledgethat.NativeandconservationseedsareoneofthemostdifficultcropstomaintainconsistencywithsaysNealFosterpresidentoftheSocietyofCommercialSeedTechnologists.Theresusuallyhighinertmatteritdoesntflowwellanditshardtogetauniformseedlothesaysnotingthattheseissuesonlycompoundoneanother.AOSAsReedlikestocompareseedstosnowflakes.Therearenotwoalikeshesays.Seedsarenotalwaysuniformandyouaregoingtogetdifferentresults.ReedgivestheexampleofsomeoneinOregongrowingandharvestinggrassseed.Oncethatseedisharvesteditgoesthroughdormancysheexplains.FromthewarehouseitmightbeshippedacrosstheUnitedStatesinmid-July.Uponarrivalthecharacteris-ticsandvalueoftheseedwillbedifferentfromjustafterharvestsheexplains.Thisisespeciallytruewithnativeseedsusedforlandreclamationandrestorationshesays.Theseseedsaredifficulttogerminatebutwearetryingtogetmoreconsist-encyinresultsfromlabora-torytolaboratoryandtesttotest.Wehavefoundthatitsdifficulttogetlabresultsthatareevencompatiblewithinatolerance.Thesetestsmeanthedifferencebetweenaseedlotbeingworthhundredsofdollarsorthousandsofdollars.Thisisrealmoneyanda10-pointswing...isahugeswinginprofitability.AndyErnst 52SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014Severalfactorsinfluenceseedquality.Youhaveblendingoflotstransporta-tionandstorageshesays.Sometimeslotsarenotuniform.ThenyoumustalsoconsiderthetimefromwhentheseedisshippedtowhenitistestedwhatelementshasitbeenexposedtoSeedcanbedamagedbylivingorgan-ismsandbyheat.WhilesomanyvariablesareoutofanyonescontrolReedsaysthattheyshouldbeabletocontroluniformityoftesting.AnotherissuethatReedsayshasbeenplaguingAOSAsseedtestinglabora-toriesistheinabilitytohireandretainqualitytechnicians.Wehavestatesthatareindirestraitsbecauselabshavelostfundingshesays.ItsincrediblyhardtokeeppeopleinthelaboratoriesbecauseofthelowcompensationtheyThemissionofSCSTistomaintainandencouragethehighestproficiencyandprofe-ssionalstandardamongmemberstopromote-Seedtechnologyresearchteachingandextensionactivities.-Improvementsinseedtestingrulesandprocedures.-Domesticandinternationalseedtrade.-Cooperationbetweenregulatoryandcommercialentities.germinationtestingmeth-odsintheAOSARulesforTestingSeedsresultsinalackofuniformityinseedtestingresults.Therulebookincludesproceduresfor677kindsofseedwith430specieskindscitingmultipleproceduresfordeterminingtherateofgermination.ProjectmanagerRichardPayneofGPConsultinghascreatedasurveytobesenttoallseedtestinglaboratoriesaskingwhichtestmethodstheyuseandwhy.ThegoalofthissurveyistoimprovetheAOSARulesforTestingSeedsPaynesays.Fosteraddsthatthesurveywillhelptoidentifytestingmethodsthatcouldpoten-tiallyberemovedfromtherulebookwhichwouldhelptotightenprotocolsandelimi-nateinconsistencies.AOSAandSCSTarealsoevaluatingtheirtrainingopportunitiesandworkingtoidentifyareasthatcanbeimproved.Wecandoabetterjobofmakingsureeve-ryonebetweenalltheAOSAandSCSTlabsisfollowingAOSAguidelinesReedsaysnotingthattheyhostwebi-nartrainingsforprofessionaldevelopmentandworkwithIowaStateUniversityandtheUniversityofCaliforniaDavisonworkshopprogramming.Shesaystheyarealsowork-ingtohostmoreregionalmeetingstohelpkeeptravelcostsdownsothoselabswithtighterbudgetscanstillparticipateinprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities.Additionallyaseeduni-formitytaskforcehasbeendeveloped.SpearheadedbytheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationthetaskforceconsistsoftworepre-sentativesfromAOSAtworepresentativesfromSCSTonefromASTAonefromtheAssociationofAmericanSeedAOSAhasfourprimaryresponsibilities-EstablishtheAOSARulesforTestingSeedswhicharegenerallyadoptedbymoststatesastherulesfortestingseedsintheirrespectivestates.-Contributetotherefinementsandmodificationoftherulesandproceduresforseedtesting.-Ensurethattestingproceduresarestandardizedbetweenanalystsandbetweenlaboratories.-Influenceandassistinenforcementofappropriateseedlegislationatstateandfederallevels.caneasilygotoindustryforanextra20000ayear.Wetest325differenttypesofseedandassoonaspeoplebecomecompetenttheytransition.Reedsaysshesworriedthattheseedtestingindus-tryisgoingtoreachacriti-calmasswheretherearentenoughpeoplefillingtheserolestoserveindustryneeds.Atsomepointthisisgoingtohavetobeaddressedshesays.WhileadmittingthatthisdoesntdirectlyimpacttheuniformityissueReedsaysitcouldcertainlyplayarole.PavingaPathForwardUniformityandconsistencyinseedtestingisnotanewissuebutnewstepsarebeingtakentoaddressit.In2013theboardsofdirectorsforAOSAandSCSTbeganpursuinganumberofinitia-tivestodetermineifmultiple OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM53Aleaderinthedesignandmanufactureofpackagingautomationsystemsandequipment.Established1969.Refuge-in-BagSystems.Netandgrossweighapplications.Single-unitandbulkapplications.ElectronicBaggingScales.Netandgrossweighscales.Refuge-in-a-bagsystemsandSeedCalcenabledelectronics.BulkBagBoxDrumPacking.TaylorProductsIBC3000modulardesignallowscompleteflexibilityfromafree-standingmanualoperationtoafullyintegratedandautomatedsystemhandlingbagsdrumsandboxes.BAGGINGSOLUTIONSFORTHESEEDINDUSTRYELECTRONICBAGGINGSCALESBULKSTORAGEFILLINGREFUGE-IN-BAGSYSTEMSwww.taylorproducts.comTollFree888.882.9567Phone620.421.5550Fax620.421.55312205JothiAve.ParsonsKansas67357ExperienceEngineeringandEquipmentinOneNeatPackage.LEARNMORETHEORIGINALControlOfficialsandonefromtheAssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgenciesAOSCA.WearedevelopingaplanthatimprovesuniformityofseedtestingReedsays.Itsgoingtotaketheentirevaluechaintogetthere.Fostersaysthetaskforceislookingatvariousgovern-ancestructuresforseedlaboratorieshowtoimproveconsistencyintestingtheaccreditationoflaboratoriesandqualitymanagementsys-temsandimprovedmethodsforthetestingprocess.WhileitsgoingtotaketimeFostersaysthebiggestobsta-clewasgettingeverybodyonthesamepageandinthesameroom.CollaborationisextremelyimportantbecauseweallplayasmallpartinthelargeschemeofthingsFostersays.Togetanythingdoneofthismagnitudeweallhavetoworktogether.AOSCAsrepresentativeAlanGalbrethofIndianaCropImprovementAssociationsaysthisisaverypositivestepfortheentireindustry.Weknowtherearesomeissueswithseedtestinguniformityandeachlabtendstogetlockedintotheirownwayofdoingthingshesays.Wevediscoveredtherecanbesomeprettydifferentinterpretationsoftherules.Galbrethsaysthetaskforceiscurrentlyfocusedonverybroadissuesandthatastheyhoneinonmorespecificonesworkinggroupswilllikelybedevelopedandmorepeoplebroughtintotheprocess.WhileprogressisbeingmadeErnstacknowledgesthatitsgoingtotakealongtimebeforethereisuniformityinseedtesting.Progresswillbeslowbecauseeverythinghastofirstbeprovenscientifi-callyhesays.Thesetypesofdiscussionsareahugestepforwardtoimprovinguniform-ityamongseedtests.ForErnsttheendgoalistoreceiveanumberfromseedtestinglaboratoriesthatallowshimtoassignavaluetoseedlotswithconfidence.Evenifthatnumberisonlya50ifthatnumbercanberepeatedandconsistentlyshowsavaluewithintolerancethatswhatwewantheexplains.Theactualnumberisnotasimportanttousasrepeatabil-itywhichweusetocompareonelottoanother.SWHelpingtoleadthewayinachievinguniformityinseedtestingNealFosterandSusanReedworktoidentifyareasforimprovement. 54SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014NOWNTOREDUCEtheneedforexternalinputsforfertilityreduceweedandpestpressureoncashcropscontrolsoilerosionandimprovewaterqualityincreasebiodiversityandpositivelyimpactsoilhealthcovercropsareseeingasurgeofinterestnotonlyfromfarmersbutalsofromseedcompanies.Asfarmershaveincreasedthenumberofacresincontinuouscropcyclessomeofthosesoilnutrientsarebecomingdepleted.Historicallynotmuchattentionhasbeengiventowhatsinthesoilbeyondtheessentialnutrientsandthoseintheindustryarelearningthattheyreallyneedtothatswherecovercropscomeintoplay.Soilhealthiskeytofeedingsome9billionpeoplein2050accordingtoKrystaHardendeputysecretaryfortheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture.Companiesthathavetradi-tionallybeenfocusedoncornsoybeansandwheatarestartingtoinquireabouthowtheymightbeabletousecovercropsforthebenefitoftheircustomers.JasonWellerNaturalResourcesConservationServicechiefNRCSsaysthecountryislosingsomeofitsbestagriculturallandtodevelopmentincludingmorethan43millionacresduringthepast30years.WeneedtoimprovesoilhealthWellersaysexplainingthatthefourtenantstosoilhealthareminimizingsoildisturbancekeepingsoilcoveredenergizingthesoilwithplantdiversityandmaximizingthelivingrootstofeedthebiologyinthesoil.CovercropscoverthosefourtenantsWellersaysnotingthatcovercropscanincreasesoilorganicmatterSOMandahighSOMpercentagecanhold18timesto20timesitsweightinwater-holdingcapacity.Justa1percentincreaseinSOMinthetop6inchesofsoilcanholdupwardsof27000gallonsofwaterperacreWellersays.Theresanopportunitytodosomegreatthingsafteracrophasbeenharvestedwhenthelandnor-mallysitsfallowsaysJerryHallofGrasslandOregonwhichlaunchedResearchersshifttheirattentionbelowgroundtohelptakecropstothenextlevelwhileimprovingsustainability.JulieDeeringSEEDINGBELOWGROUNDBENEFITSitsnewbalansacloverthispastsummer.CalledFIXatioNthebalansacloverisasmall-seededannuallegumethatfeaturesrapidger-minationandvastquantitiesofbiomass.Individualplantscanexceed10feetinlengthhowevertheplantstructureisonlyabletosupport3feetofverticalgrowth.GrasslandOregonsresearchshowsthatthecovercropcreatesalargeamountofnitrogenforthefollowingcashcrop.Unlikesomenitrogen-producingcropsthatuseupthenitrogentheymakebalansacloverleavesitinthesoilforthenextcroptouse.WereveryexcitedaboutFIXatioNHallsays.Traditionallybalansacloverhasnotbeenverycoldtolerant.ItsprimarilybeengrowninthesouthernU.S.andafewothercountries.ThiscloverFIXatioNyieldscrudeproteinlevelsrangingfrom22to28.4withrelativefeedvaluesashighas277K 56SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014createsalotofnitrogenforthefollowingcropandcreatesverydeepchannelsinthesoiltopgrowthsoyougetthatweedsup-pressionandhabitatforwildlife.FIXatioNwhichhasbeenbredtobemorecoldtolerantperformsbestwhenitsfallseededandhasbeenproventowithstandsnowcoveringortemperaturesaslowas5degreesFahrenheitwithoutsnow.Italsoperformsinacidandalkalinesoilsaswellaswater-loggedsoils.Asourceofproteinforlive-stockthebalansacloveryieldscrudeproteinlevelsrangingfrom22percentto28.4percentwithrelativefeedvaluesashighas277.Astheindustrystartstothinkabouthowtobestinvestinthesoilandsustainitforfuturegen-erationswevegotgreatbenefitstotalkaboutHallsays.Inlookingatwhatcovercropsfitintoafarmorcompanyscropmixitreallydependsonyourindividualgoalsnutrientmanagementerosioncontrolandsoilhealth.Italsodependsontheregionthecropandthetimeofyearyouplantandharvest.GrasslandOregonfocusesontheABCsofcovercropsaffordablebeneficialandcomple-mentary.Itneedstobeafford-ableHallsays.Theycantbreakthebank.AretheybeneficialYouneedtohaveclearandmeasur-ableresults.Andtheyneedtobecomplementarytoyourcroppingcycle.Ithastobecompatiblewithwhatsalreadybeingdone.SelecttheRightSpeciesDuPontPioneerisonecompanythatsbeensupportiveoffarmersintegratingawintercovercropintocornandsoybeancroppingsystems.WhileDuPontPioneerrecognizesthebenefitsofcovercropsthecompanyalsocautionsfarmersthatplantingcovercropscanaddnewmanagementchal-lengesandrisks.Whilesomecovercropben-efitscanstandoutinparticularmanagementsituationsoryearsAstheindustrystartstothinkabouthowtobestinvestinthesoilandsustainitforfuturegenerationswevegotgreatbenefitstotalkabout.JerryHallmostarerealizedovertimeastheirongoinguseimprovessoilqualityandfunctionsaysAndyHeggenstallerDuPontPioneeragronomyresearchmanager.Covercropsarebestviewedasalong-terminvestmentinsoilproductivity.Themostcommonlyusedcovercropsfallintooneofthreebroadgroupsgrasseslegumesandbrassicas.AccordingtoHeggenstallergrassesarebestsuitedforscav-engingsoilnutrientsespeciallynitrogenpreventingsoilerosionproducinglargeamountofbio-massthatcanhelptoincreasesoilorganicmaterandsuppressingweeds.Hesaysthemostcommongrassesforcornandsoybeancroppingsystemsarewintercere-alssuchasryewheatbarleyandtriticale.Thesecanbeplantedinlatesummerthroughlatefall.HoweverHeggenstallersayssomegrowersprefernon-winter-hardycerealssuchasoatswhichestablishquicklyinthefallbut OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM57winterkillandleavebehindlittleresiduetomanageinthespring.Anotheroptionisannualryegrasswhichshouldbeplantedbymid-Septemberinmostlocations.Annualryegrassproducesalargeshallowrootbiomassandleaveslittleresidueinthespringagoodfitinno-tillsystems.KnownfortheirabilitytofixnitrogenHeggenstallersharesthatlegumesarevaluedasacovercrop.Popularlegumesincludehairyvetchfieldpealentilcrimsoncloverredcloverandberseemclover.Tosurvivethewintermostlegumesmustbeplantedinearlysummerthroughearlyfallhesays.Becausetheamountofbiomassproducedbylegumesisdirectlyproportionaltotheamountofnitrogenbeingpro-ducedtheresoftenatrade-offbetweenearlycornplantingandwaitingformorebiomassproduc-tionbythelegume.Brassicasareknownfortheirabilitytoproducealargetaprootandhelpbreakupsoilcompaction.Theyshouldbeplantedinearlysummerthroughearlyfall.Manybrassicacovercropswinterkillinlocationswithsubfreezingtemperatureswhichacceleratesresiduedecompositioninthespring.Heggenstallersaysthemostcommonbrassicasincludecanolamustardsforageradishandturnips.Theresagreatdealemphasisontheimportanceofcovercropsandtheroletheycanplayinhelpingfarmerstofeedthe9billionpeopleby2050.JustthisyearphilanthropistHowardG.BuffetandNRCSconservationagrono-mistRayArchuletaannouncedaninitiativetoincreasethe2millionto3millionacresofcovercropsplantedintheU.S.in2013toabout20millionacresby2020.SWWHEREONTHEWEBTolearnmoreabouthelpingfarmersselecttherightcovercropmixcheckoutSeedWorld.comCoverCropMixes.Thefocusonsoilhealthhasrenewedinterestincovercrops. 58SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014Exploringideasandviewsonallaspectsoftheseedindustry.FORAGESUPERBOWLHASRECORDENTRIESTheWorldForageAnalysisSuperbowlhad469foragesamplesvyingforachancetowinmorethan22000incashprizesinsevenforagecategoriesincludingbrownmidribcornsilagestandardcornsilagehaylagebaleagecommercialhaydairyhayandgrasshay.ItisacredittoallforagegrowersthatthiscontesthasbeenabletogrowandthrivewhilefeaturingtheverybestforagesfromaroundNorthAmericasaysDougHarlandofDairylandLaboratoriesInc.HeldinconjunctionwiththeWorldDairyExpothecontestcomparesforagesamplesonlabandvisualanalysisandherdproductioninformation.Whentheconteststartedin1983itfeaturedtwocategoriesandhad58entries.Sincethenfivecategorieshavebeenaddedresultingincontinuousgrowthandarecordnumberofsamplesthisyear.ThewinnerswereannouncedattheMycogenSeedsForageSuperbowlAwardsLuncheon.TheeventisorganizedbyDairylandLaboratoriesInc.DairyBusinessCommunicationsHayForageGrowerU.S.DairyForageResearchCenterUniversityofWisconsin-MadisonandWorldDairyExpo.VILSACKREAPPOINTSSEEDPANELAgricultureSecretaryTomVilsackannouncedthereappointmentoffourindividualstoserveontheNationalGeneticResourcesAdvisoryCouncilNGRACasubcommitteeoftheNationalAgriculturalResearchExtensionEducationandEconomicsAdvisoryBoard.ThenewlyappointedandreturningmembersoftheNGRACmetSept.23-25atIowaStateUniversitysSeedScienceCenterinAmesIowa.TheNGRACiscomprisedofninevotingmembersandeightex-officiomembers.Two-thirdsofvotingmembersareselectedfromthescientificcommunityandone-thirdfromthegeneralpublic.Thefollowingmembershavebeenreappointedtoathree-yeartermJaneDeveraprofessorofplantbreedingatTexasAgriLifeResearchKarenMoldenhaueraprofessorandriceindustrychairforvarietydevelopmentattheUniversityofArkansasMulumebetWorkuananimalscientistprofessorandbiotechnologistatNorthCarolinaAgriculturalandTechnicalStateUniversityandMatthewDillonseniormanagerofagriculturalprogramsanddirectorofseedmattersattheClifBarCompany.ThefocusoftheSeptembermeetingwastoevaluateanddeveloprecommendationstoensurethatUSDAisservingtheneedsofallfarmersbymakingsurethathigh-qualityanddiverseseedisavailableforfarmingoperationsofalltypes.IFWEUNDERSTANDWHATCHEFSWANTWECANPRODUCEIT.BILLTRACYAUNIVERSITYOFWISCONSIN-MADISONSWEETCORNBREEDERACALLFORTRANSPARENCYInSeptembertheIllinoisCropImprovementAssociationcalledontheNationalPlantDiagnosticNetworktoallowaccesstolaboratoryresultsoutsidethegivenregion.WhilethediagnosisofdiseasesoncornandsoybeansamplesfromPuertoRicohasnotyieldedanyexoticorunknownpestsIbelieveitsimportanttoallowregionstosharepathologyandpestinformationsaysDougMillerIllinoisCropImprovementAssociationCEOinalettertotheNPDNreferringtoplantsamplesfromPuertoRicothatweresenttotheUniversityofIllinoisPlantClinicunderspecialcircumstances.ThereisanactiveshippingchannelbetweentheU.S.MainlandPuertoRicoHawaiiandFloridaduringthefallandspring.Plantbreedersandparentseedproducersproducemorethanonegenerationofseedpercalendaryearusingtheaforementionedwinterlocations.Millersaysitscounter-intuitivetorestrictaccesstodataamongregionswithactiveexchangeofseed.ThelackofinformationcouldposearisktothecornandsoybeanindustryfortheU.S.andaroundtheworldhesays.Millerencouragesdecision-makerstoconsideropeningthedatabaseamongregionstoaddresstheactiveseedchannel.ITISACREDITTOALLFORAGEGROWERSTHATTHISCONTESTHASBEENABLETOGROWANDTHRIVEWHILEFEATURINGTHEVERYBESTFORAGES... OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM59WORLDS1PEANUTSHELLINGANDPROCESSINGEQUIPMENTVisitwww.lewismcarter.comorcall1-306-242-9292lmclewismcarter.comSERVINGTHEGLOBALAGRICULTURALINDUSTRYFOROVER25YEARS 60SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014ContactusTodayAskforErickat800-992-2824ext111erickks-ka.comwww.krautersolutions.comYourSeedisinGoodHandsClimate-ControlledStorageGrowthChambersNewRetrofttedSystemsOurpatent-pendingKrauterSolutionsREGULATORYROUNDUPKeepingyouinformedoflegislativeandregulatorychangesatthestatenationalandinternationallevelsfromlawsuitstoapprovalstootherregulatoryissuesaffectingyourbusiness.NATIONALKEYGENEEXPANDSSBGPORTFOLIOKeyGenesSequenceBasedGenotypingpatentportfoliohasbeenexpandedwiththepatentgrantMethodforHighThroughputAFLP-basedPolymorphismDetectionintheU.S.andChina.ThegrantofthesetwopatentsisthemostrecentadditiontoKeyGenesSBGpatentport-folioinEuropeJapanandtheU.S.whichnowcomprises13patents.Inadditionpropri-etaryexpertiseandsoftwaretoolsenableKeyGenescien-tistsanditslicenseestogen-erateanalyzeandapplylargeamountsofsequence-basedmarkerdatainacost-andtime-effectivemanner.INTERNATIONALBIOTECHASSOCIATIONSFORMINTERNATIONALCOUNCILAninternationalconfederationofbiotechnologytradeasso-ciationscametogethertocreatetheInternationalCouncilofBiotechnologyAssociationsICBAwiththepurposeofadvocatingforpublicpoliciesthatsupportthegrowthofthebiotechnologyindustryworldwide.JimGreenwoodBiotechnologyIndustryOrganizationpresidentandCEOservesasICBAchairmanandNathalieMollsecretarygeneralofEuropaBioservesasvicechair.Botharetwo-yearterms.Thebiotechnol-ogysectorfaceschallengesandopportunitiesthatcrossborderssaysGreenwood.InformingtheICBAourindustryistakinganimportantstepthatallowsustobettercoordi-nateorganizeandfacetheseissuesaroundtheworld.GUATEMALAREPEALSPLANTLAWTheCongressoftheRepublicofGuatemalavotedtorepealthelawfortheProtectionofPlantVarietyRightsthatithadapprovedlessthanthreemonthsprior.Thelawgrantedplantbreedersexclusiverightsfor25yearsinthecaseoftreesandvinesand20yearsforotherplantspeciesregard-ingthemarketingsaleandothercommercialactsrelat-ingtoseedsofnovelplantvarietiesregisteredwiththegovernment.Shortlyafterthelawwasenactedlawmakerscameunderintensepressurebylaborunionsindigenouscommunityorganizationsandothercriticstoreformorrepealthelawbecauseoffearsthatitwouldprivatizethenationalseedsupplyconcentrateagproductioninthehandsofmultinationalcompanieserodefoodsovereigntyanddisruptindigenouspractices.MBIRECEIVESPATENTMarroneBioInnovationsInc.hasreceivedapatentfortheuseofChromobacteriumanaturally-occurringbacte-riumwithinsecticidalandmiticidalcapabilities.ThepatentprotectstheusesofChromobacteriumformu-lationscompositionsandcompoundstocontrolcornrootwormlarvaeinfestation.Thispatentisanimportantfirststepindevelopingacommerciallyviableprod-ucttoinhibitinfestationsofcornrootwormlarvaeacrossAmericaandotherregionswheretheycontinuetospreadsaysPamMarroneMBIsCEO.VIETNAMAPPROVESBIOTECHTRAITSAfterasixmonthregulatoryreviewVietnamsagricultureministersignedthefirstfourcertificatesforfoodandfeedsafetyforgeneticallymodifiedcorntraits.Alsothecountrysnaturalresourcesministerissuedthefirstbiosafetycertificatetooneofthefourcorntraitsapproved.MON-89034willbeauthorizedforcommercialproductioninVietnamfollowingvarietyregistration.Theotherthreetraitsarebeingreviewed.ThecommercializationofagbiotechnologyhasbeenagoalforseveralyearsandisanintegralpartofVietnamsagriculturalrestructuringprogram.SW 62SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014STATUSGHANATheMinistryofFoodandAgriculturehasbeencalledupontoallowprivateseedproducerstogrowfoundationseedinconformitywiththecountrysplantandfertilizeract.LocalfarmersarguethateventhoughthelawsofthecountrypermitthemtoproducefoundationseedsallapplicationstoMOFAforper-mitshadnotbeengranted.TheappealwasmadeataworkshoporganizedbytheWestAfricaSeedProgram.Theworkshopwasdesignedtotrain36selectedplayersintheseedvaluechainonhowtorunabusinesseseffectivelyenablingparticipationintheWestAfricanSeedbusiness.Participantscalleduponthecountrysresearchinstitutionstomaintainthebreedercul-tureofthevariousseedandtoreleasehigh-yieldingmaizeseedvarietiesthatcouldhelpsustaintheindustryinthefaceofrapidincreasesinagri-culturalinputs.AdditionallytheparticipantscalledforanearlymeetingoftheSeedCounciltoreviewthepricesofcertifiedseedstobesuretheyconformwiththecurrentcostofproductionmotivatingmoreplayerstoinvestintheseedbusinessforthecountrytomeetitsneeds.JoshGlover-TayaconsultanttotheprojectrecommendedseedproducersmovefromworldSTATUSAlookatseedindustrydevelopmentsaroundtheglobe.FromhelpingtodevelopaprivateseedindustryalongtheGoldCoastofGhanatomakingbreakthroughsinthedevelopmentofresistantwheatandbarleytheseedindustryisatthecruxofprogressinhelpingtofeedmorethan9billionpeopleby2050.FarmKinghasbeenaleaderingrainhandlingfordecadesandisproudtointroduceaprovenlineofon-farmseedhandlingsolutionsfortheseedindustry.individualbusinessestoformstrongassociationswithwell-establishedstructuresandpoliciestosupportthesaleoftheirproducts.Hesharedthatthisisoneofthestepsthatcouldhelpthemtobeeffec-tiveandstrongwhenitcomestobusinessnegotiations.SolomanGyanAnsahWestAfricaSeedProgramsnationalseedspecialistsaidattheendoftheworkshopattendeeswouldberequiredtodevelopbusinessplansandthebestfivewouldbesupportedinexpandingtheirbusinessesasapilotproject.Hesaidthatseedgrowerswhoreceivesupportfromtheprojectwouldberequiredtoconformtosafetystandardsandalltheenvironmentalregulationsinthecountrywithregardtotheproductionofseeds.GhanaWebSTATUSINDIATheAsiaandPacificSeedAssociationinpartnershipwiththeIndianInstituteofHorticulturalResearchandtheSocietyforPromotionofHorticulturehelpedhosttheinauguralAsianSolanaceousRoundtableASRTSept.9-10inBangaloreIndia.Withnearly300delegatesfrom12countriestheassociationreporteditwasasuccess.Theroundtableprovidedaforumwherebreedingandtechnologyissuesrelevanttosolanaceouscropswerediscussed.Theroundtablealsoaddressedissuesthatbenefitfarmersandlookedtostrengthenpublic-privatesectorpartnerships.Thethemeforthisroundtablewasdiseaseandinsectresist-anceinsolanaceousvegeta-bles.Topicscoveredrangedfrominsectresistanceusingnativegenesintomatoandpeppertoreducingthecostsofmarker-assistedselectionthroughDNAextractionandmultipleassays.DuringthekeynoteaddressKrishnaKumartheduputydirectorgeneralofhorticul-turefortheIndianCouncilforAgriculturalResearchreportedthatmorethan50billionarespenteachyearoninsectcontrolbutnotedthatthesecontrolmethodsalsoexterminatebeneficialinsects.Hesaidthemandateoffutureresearchistospecificallytargetonlythepestsofcon-cernandexcludenon-targets.Onewaytoachievethisendistounderstandthegeneticcompositionandthusphe-notypiccapabilityofinsectsKumarexplained.Thei5kinsect5000genomesequencinginitiativeisastepinthisdirection.Withtheannotatedgenomicdatawewillbeabletounderstandbettercertainrelationshipslikevector-parasitehost-endosymbiontsandcertain OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM63www.farm-king.comBroughttoyoubypestfeatureswhichmakeinsectshighlyinvasiveandadaptabletochangingenvironments.MoreinformationfromtheASRTisavailableontheAsiaandPacificSeedAssociationwebsite.JulieDeeringSTATUSPHILIPPINESLocalgovernmentconstitu-entsfromthePangasinanprovinceinthePhilippinesincludingmunicipalagricul-turistsandfarmersstudentsmediaandotherstakehold-erssignedadeclarationofsupportforthecommercialplantingofthepest-resistantBteggplantinthecountryduringtheconclusionofapublicdialogueonBtegg-plantheldatthePangasinanStateUniversityCampusinearlySeptember.ItstatesthatafterdiscussionwiththescientistsexpertsandfarmersthestakeholdersrealizethatBteggplantwhichisbeingdevelopedbytheUniversityofthePhilippinesLosBaosisahealthierandsaferalternativesolutionagainsttherelentlessinsectpesttheeggplantfruitandshootborer.Theyalsorecognizedthatitsmulti-locationfieldtrialswhichconcludedin2012havebeenconductedsafelyandinfullcompliancewiththeprescribedgovernmentregu-latoryproceduresanddulyapprovedbytheDepartmentofAgriculturesBureauofPlantIndustry.Moreovertheyacknowledgedthesafetyofproductsderivedfrommodernbiotechnologythathavepassedafoodsafetyassessmentbasedoninterna-tionalstandards.ThedialoguewasorganizedbyInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-BiotechApplicationstheSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture-BiotechnologyInformationCentertheMunicipalityofSta.MariaandPangasinanStateUniversity-Sta.MariaCampus.BiotechnologyInformationCenterSTATUSUKScientistsattheJohnInnesCentreinNorwichhavemadeabreakthroughthatcouldleadtonewhigh-yieldingdisease-resistantvarieties.Almostallwheatgrownisasemi-dwarfbreedfromanaturallyoccurringmutantlinewithanalteredgiberellicacidGAsignalingpathway.FirstdevelopedduringtheGreenRevolutionofthe1960sthesevarietiessignifi-cantlyadvancedcropyieldsbecausetheyrespondtonitrogenbyincreasingyieldwithoutgrowingtootallandlodging.Theabilitytoincreaseyieldperunitareahashelpedpoorereconomiestoimprovefoodsecurity.Anotherbenefitofgiberellicacid-defectivesemi-dwarfplantsisthattheyshowincreasedresistancetonecrotrophicfungithatkilltheplantandfeedfromthedeadtissues.Butthereisatradeoffbecausetheseplantsarealsomorepronetodiseasescausedbybiotrophicfungithatfeedonlivingtissues.Researchintothegeneticimprovementofdomes-ticatedcropsisdifficultbecausetheyhavelargecomplexgenomesandtakealotofgrowingspace.Usingmodelspecieswithsmallgenomesandacompactsizeisusefulintryingtounder-standcropplantsbutcanles-sonslearnedfromamodelbetranslatedtoamorecomplexspeciesNewresearchpublishedinthejournalMolecularPlantMicrobeInteractionssug-gestsyesthewildgrassBrachypodiumdistachyonisanidealmodelforstudyingdiseaseresistanceinwheatandbarley.Wevebeeninvestigatinganotherplantsignalingsystemthebrassi-nosteroidBRsignalingpathwayinbarleyacloserelativeofwheatsaysRachelGoddardleadauthoranddoctoralstudentinthelabofPaulNicholson.LikeGA-defectiveplantsbarleywithamutatedBRI1genealsoseemstobeahigh-yieldingsemi-dwarfthatismoreresistanttonecro-trophicfungi.Butinthiscasetheplantsdonothaveanincreasedsusceptibilitytobiotrophicfungaldisease.GoddardandhercolleagueshavefoundthatB.distachyonactsasahosttomanyofthesamefungalpathogensthatinfectwheatandbarley.TheyshowedthatwhengenesintheBR-signalingpathwayofB.distachyonaredisruptedthesamedisease-resistanttraitsareobservedasinbarleysuggestingthatthemechanismsassociatedwiththispathwayareconservedbetweenbarleyanditsgrassrelative.ThefactthattheB.distach-yonBR-signalingpathwayrespondsinthesamewayasbarleyisexcitingbecauseitdemonstratesthehugepotentialforthiswildgrassasabeautifulmodelspeciesforwheatandbarleybreedingresearchGoddardsays.B.distachyongrowsquicklyhasarelativelysimplegenomeandunlikearablecropscanbegrowninastandardlabgrowthchamber.Hopefullybyworkingwiththismodelscientistscanassistplantbreederstoidentifynewtargetedgenestobreedevenhigher-yieldingcrops.JohnInnesCentreSW 64SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014INDUSTRYNEWSDeliveringthepeopleindustrybusinessandproductnewsyourneedtoknow.Submissionsarewelcome.Emailusatnewsissuesink.com.Researchcarriedoutbyseedphysiolo-gistsfromWageningenURandseedexpertsfromtheCentreforGeneticResourcesintheNetherlandsshowedthatwhenseedswerestoredwithoutoxygen98percentofthemgerminatedafterthreeweeks.IntheirscientificarticlepublishedintheonlinejournalPlantGeneticResourcesWageningenresearchersproposedthatgenebankspackageseedsinoxygen-poorconditionsafterharvestanddryingtoslowthelossofantioxidants.Thismeansthattheseedscanbestoredforlongerperiodsoftimereducingregenerationcosts.TheCentreforGeneticResourcesisaDutchgenebankwhichispartofWageningenUR.TheHarvardUniversityresearchersthatcreatedRoboBeesaredevelopingtheroboticinsectswiththeabilitytopollinatecrops.Introducedin2013thebee-sizedrobotshoverinmid-airwhenconnectedtoapowersource.Atthetimetheresearchersfounditimpossibletoaddmoreweighttothetinyrobotwithoutsacrificingitsabilitytofly.KevinMaHarvardgraduatestudentandmechani-calengineersaysthattheteamisontheeveofthenextbigdevelopmentastherobotscannowtakeonmoreweightwhileinflight.Theteambelievesthatin10yearsRoboBeeswillbereadytocarryoutartificialpollinationonfoodcrops.TheInternationalWheatGenomeSequencingConsortiumpub-lishedadraftsequenceofthebreadwheatgenomeinthejournalScience.Thedraftsequenceprovidesinsightintothestructureorganizationandevolutionoftheworldsmostwidely-growncerealcrop.Theconsortiumhasestablishedthefirstreferencesequenceforthelargestchromosome3Bwhichcouldserveasatemplateforsequencingtheremainingchromosomes.Withthedraftgenesequenceforeachofthebreadwheatchromosomesandthefirstreferencesequenceofchromosome3BwehavereachedagreatmilestoneinourroadmapsaysCatherineFeuilletconsortiumco-chair.Withachromosome-basedfullsequenceinhandplantbreedersnowhavehigh-qualitytoolsattheirdisposaltospeedupbreedingprogramsandidentifyhowgenescontrolcomplextraits.TheNationalAcademyofSciencesNationalResearchCouncilwillconductatwo-yearstudyofgeneticallyengi-neeredcropslookingatthedevelop-mentandintroductionofgeneticallyengineeredcropsintheU.S.andglob-ally.Throughabroadstudyofavailableinformationthecommitteewillreviewthescientificfoundationofcurrentenviron-mentalandfoodsafetyassessmentsforGEcropsandfoods.TheNRCwillassessthereportednegativeeffectsofthecropsincludingtheimpactonfarmersindevelopingcountriesandtheevolutionofso-calledsuperweeds.Thestudywillalsolookatthereportedpositiveeffectsincludingreducedpesticideuseandsoilconservationthroughreducedtillage.TheNationalScienceFoundationawardedateamofArkansasandMissouriscientistsa6-millionresearchgranttocombatcroplossesresultingfromstressessuchasdroughtpoorsoilinsectsanddisease.Plantstressisarguablythegreatestfactorlimit-ingglobalyieldsoffoodfiberandfuelcropssaysFionaGogginaUniversityofArkansasSystementomologyprofes-sorwhoservesasaco-principalinves-tigatorfortheproject.Howeverplantspossessmechanismstoadapttostressandtheseadaptationscanbedramati-callyenhancedthroughbreedingandbiotechnology.Thethree-yearresearchcollaborationbetweenArkansasandMissouriresearcherswilldevelopandapplycutting-edgeimagingtechnologiestohelpplantscientistsselectforhardiercropsthatcanfendoffinsectsdiseasesandotherstresses.In10yearsRoboBeeswillbereadytocarryoutartificialpollinationonfoodcrops.Thismicroscopicslideshowsthecellularstructureofawheatseed. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM65NealbringsextensivebiotechnologyandbusinessleadershipintheseedandcropprotectionindustrytothisintegralroleforDuPontPioneer.PaulSchicklerPEOPLENEWSSyngentaappointedPonsiTrivisvavetasaregiondirectorforNorthAmericaandpresidentofSyngentaSeedsInc.TrivisvavetwillshareresponsibilityfortheSyngentaNorthAmericanbusinesswithVernHawkinsanotherregiondirectorNorthAmerica.ShereplacesDavidMorganwhowasnamedglobalheadofvegetablesandisbasedinSwitzerland.MikePriebeinForestCityIowaandCraigEhlersinSchallerIowahavejoinedSyngentaasseedadvisorstohelpdeliversolutionstogrowers.BothwillofferGoldenHarvestcornhybridsandNKsoybeans.TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationwelcomedVirginiaHoustonasitsassoci-atedirectorofdomesticandgovernmentaffairs.Houstonisresponsibleforassistingwiththeassociationsfederalandstateleg-islativeandregulatoryinitiatives.MarcelBruinshasbeennamededitorialdirectorofEuropeanSeedasthemaga-zinepreparesforitslaunchatthe2014EuropeanSeedAssociationsAnnualMeetingandEuropeanSeedTradeMeetinginLisbonPortugal.InmypreviousrolewiththeInternationalSeedFederationIwasabletoseetheseedindustryfromaglobalperspectiveandgainauniqueperspectiveonhowthevariousmarketsinteractBruinssays.FocusingnowontheEuropeanseedsectorIlookforwardtodrillingdownintotheissuesthatareshapingtheindustryandstartingconversationsthatcaninflu-encechangeanddriveinnovation.KWShiredAlexanderDrotschmannasheadofitscorndivision.DrotschmannwillbelocatedinSt.LouisMissouriatthenewKWSGatewayResearchCenterandisresponsibleforcornactivitiesinNorthandSouthAmerica.PriortojoiningKWSheworkedforBayerCropScience.InhisnewroleDrotschmannwillbecomeamemberoftheAgReliantMembersCommitteeajointventureofKWSandLimagrainforcornbreedingproductionandsalesinNorthAmerica.NealGuttersonjoinedDuPontPioneerasvicepresidentofagriculturalbiotechnol-ogy.PreviouslythepresidentCEOandboardmemberofMendelBiotechnologyGuttersonhasmorethan30yearsofexperienceinplantbiotechnologyandisanamedinventoronmorethanthree-dozenpatentsandpatent-pendingapplications.NealbringsextensivebiotechnologyandbusinessleadershipintheseedandcropprotectionindustrytothisintegralroleforDuPontPioneersaysPaulSchicklerDuPontPioneerpresident.BioConsortiaInc.expandeditsexecutiveteamtoincludeChristinaHubenasseniorvicepresidentofOperationsandAdministrationandSusanTurnerasseniorvicepresidentofResearchandDevelopment.Hubenhasmorethan20yearsofbusinessandlegalexperiencehavingworkedattheNewYorklawfirmWhitmanBreedAbbottMorganfollowedbyseniorrolesatEnviroSourceChemturaCorporationAgraQuestandBayerCropScience.TurnerjoinedBioConsortiaatitsCalifornialocation.PriortojoiningBioConsortiashewastheprincipalscientistatthecompanysNewZealand-basedsubsidiary.AgVentureInc.welcomedNorthwestIowaAgLLCtoitsnet-workofseedcompanies.BasedinMovilleIowaNorthwestIowaAgLLCwillofferAgVenturebrandcornsoybeanandalfalfaseedalongwithyear-roundprofessionalseedsupportservices.AgVenturealsohiredFrankPetersontoserveaswesternregionalbusinessdevelopmentmanager.PetersonworkedforadecadeinthecorporateseedbusinesswithNovartis. 66SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014LaCrosseSeedhiredGarrettKnebelasamemberofthecompanyssalesteaminnorthernIndianahelpingcustomerswiththeirforageturfandcovercropseedneeds.JoeKelichthecurrentregionalsalesmanagerforIndianawillcontinuetoworkwithcustomersinsouthernIndianaandKentucky.GoldenAcresGeneticsLtd.addedDavidShirkandJustinComertothecompanyssalesteam.ShirksregionincludessouthwestKansaswhileComerisresponsibleforthenorthwestKansascornandsorghummarket.MostrecentlyShirkwaswithSyngentaSeedsasasalesrepresentativeandComerwaswithTaylorSeedFarms.ArystaLifeScienceNorthAmericaaddedClarkJohnsontoitssalesforceasterri-torysalesmanager.BasedoutofPierreSouthDakotaJohnsonwillberesponsiblefortheSouthDakotaterritoryfocusingonthecompanysproductlineofwheatherbicidesandfungicides.PreviouslyheservedasaseniorsalesrepresentativewithDowAgroSciences.HoegemeyerHybridshiredKevinKrohnasitssupplychaincoordinatorandKimMundilasacustomerservicerepresenta-tive.KrohnwillberesponsiblefortrackingHoegemeyerproductinventorythrough-outtheyearwhileMundilwillworkwiththecompanysdealersandcustomerstohelpmeettheirneeds.AdvantaUSasupplierofproprietaryagriculturalcropgeneticsandseedhiredTysonMeadoraseasternsalesmanager.MeadorsterritorywillincludeallareaseastoftheMississippiRiver.HisprimaryresponsibilitywillbesalesoftheAltaSeedsbrandofsorghumproductsandprivatelabelseed.LathamHi-TechSeedsaddedKenHighnessofDilworthMinnesotaasaregionalsalesmanagerinNorthwestMinnesotawhichisnewgroundforthecompany.HighnessdistrictisagoodfitbecauseithelpsLathamnarrowthegapbetweenitssouthernMinnesotaterritoryanditsNorthDakotaterritory.BUSINESSNEWSMonsantoCompanyandNovozymeshighlightedhowtheirBioAgAllianceworkstodevelopinnovationsforagricultureboostingproductivityandfurthersupportingthemanagementofnaturalresourcesonthefarm.Theallianceisexpectedtoexpandtheresearchandcommercializationofanewgenerationofmicrobialstohelpfarmersmeettheworldsdemandsforfoodandfeedinasustainableway.Thisyearthetwocompaniescon-ductedresearchacross170000fieldtrialplotsin70locationsthroughouttheUnitedStatesandtheyexpecttomorethandoublethenumberofresearchfieldplotsnextseason.EvogeneLtd.aplantgenomicscompanyandMarroneBioInnovationsInc.aproviderofbio-basedpestmanagementandplanthealthproductssignedamultiyearcollaborativeagree-menttargetingthediscoveryofnovelmodesofbiologicalactionforinsectcontrolfollowedbythedevelopmentandcommercial-izationofnewinsectcontrolproducts.Evogenewilldevelopbio-technologyinsect-resistantseedswhileMarroneBioInnovationswilldevelopbiologically-basedinsecticides.ChromatinInc.anagriculturetechnologycompanyacquiredProductionSeedsPlusInc.aforagesorghumseedproducerandsupplier.TheassetsofProductionSeedsPlusmorethandoublesChromatinsstorageandseedhandlingfacilities.ThisadditionaloperatingsitealongwithitsexperiencedteamwillprovideimportantflexibilityinproducingandmanagingourseedinventorysaysTimWilsonChromatinsdirectorofplantoperations.EvogeneLtdamendeditsworkplanincollaboratingwithBayerCropScienceLPforimprovedwheat.PursuanttotheamendedworkplanEvogenewillshiftfromdiscoveryofadditionalgenesandSNPstodiscoveryofnovelgenomicpromoters.Theamendmentreflectsagrowingrealizationintheindustrythattheefficacyofaseedtraitdependsnotonlyonthepresenceofthegeneofinterestbutalsoonitsoptimizationwithotherfac-torsincludinghowthegeneisexpressedintheplantsaysOferHavivEvogenepresidentandCEO.AspartoftheamendedplanEvogeneislookingtoidentifypromotersthatwillenhancetheprobabilityofsuccessofgenesinBayerswheatpipeline.WeyerhaeuserCompanyannouncedatechnologylicenseagreementwithDuPontPioneerthatwilladvanceseedtech-nologies.Theagreementbringstogetheragriculturalandforestryknow-howtosustainablyimprovecropproductivityforcorngrowers.BasedonscientificresearchbehindyearsofWeyerhaeuserNRsustainableforestrythemanufacturedseedtechnologyallowsforthestoragenourishmentplantingandgerminationofcellscapableofgrowingintoaplant.Thistech-nologyprovidesameanstocost-effectivelyregeneratevaluablelimitedandfragileplantmaterial.SyngentaLtd.andNexgenPlantsPtyLtd.enteredintoacol-laborationtodevelopresistanceinleadingcropsforthreekeyviruses.ThetechnologyisbasedontheidentificationofanewBioAgAllianceworkstodevelopinnovationsforagricultureboostingproductivityandfurthersupportingthemanagementofnaturalresourcesonthefarm.EvogenewillshiftfromdiscoveryofadditionalgenesandSNPstodiscoveryofnovelgenomicpromoters. OCTOBER2014SEEDWORLD.COM67MaximizeyieldandprotwithValentU.S.A.Corporationsgrowingportfolioofinnovativeseedprotectionproducts.Ourcommitmentandpassionhaveledtogame-changingtechnologiessuchasproprietaryLockTightTechnologywhichdeliversunmatchedretentionhandlingandperformance.OurlatestinnovationRizolexFungicideoersunrivaledprotectionagainstRhizoctonia.Pluswereconstantlyworkingonnewtechnologieswithmoreinthepipeline.Tolearnmoreaboutourstate-of-the-artseedprotectionproductsvisitvalent.com.WEPROTECTMORETHANSEED.WEPROTECTYOURINVESTMENT.ProductsThatWorkFromPeopleWhoCarevalent.com800-6-VALENT682-5368Alwaysreadandfollowlabelinstructions.1INTEGOSUITESystemisapromotionalcombinationofINOVATEProSeedProtectantEPAreg.59639-195andINTEGOSoloFungicideEPAreg.59639-186fromValentU.S.A.Corporation.2NipsItSUITESugarBeetsSystemisapromotionalcombinationofNipsItINSIDEInsecticideEPAreg.59639-151andMetlockFungicideEPAreg.59639-171fromValentU.S.A.CorporationandSebring318FSFungicideEPAreg.55146-107fromNufarm.INTEGOandLockTightaretrademarksandMetlockNipsItNipsItINSIDEVSeedProtectionandProductsThatWorkFromPeopleWhoCareareregisteredtrademarksofValentU.S.A.Corporation.LockTightTechnologyiscoveredunderU.S.PatentNo.8232229.RizolexisaregisteredtrademarkofSumitomoChemicalCompanyLimited.INOVATEisaregisteredtrademarkofChemturaCorporation.SebringisatrademarkofNufarm.2014ValentU.S.A.Corporation.Allrightsreserved.14M-10021classofsmallplantvirusRNAmoleculesinvolvedinmodulatingaplantsdefenseresponsetoavirusattack.Thisdiscoveryallowsselectivebreedingfromgermplasmcollectionsortheintroduc-tionofvirus-resistancetraitsintokeycrops.PhyllomBioProductsCorp.andVestaronCorporationenteredintoacollaborationtodeveloplow-impactbiologicalinsectcon-trols.BothcompanieshavenovelU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyregisteredactiveingredientsbasedonnaturalproteins.PhyllomsnaturalproteinisderivedfromamicrobefoundinsoilsandonplantsaroundtheworldcalledBacillusthuringiensis.Thecompaniesexpectthatbiopesticidesderivedfromthecollabora-tionwilldemonstrateperformanceadvantagessuchasimprovedcropplantandanimalhealthaswellasthecontrolofdifficultandresistantpestsordiseasevectors.LovelandProductsasubsidiaryofAgriumacquiredacontrol-linginterestinAgricenanagriculturalbiotechnologycompany.BasedinDallasTexasAgricenmanufacturestwoofLovelandProductsfastestgrowingplantnutritionbrandsAccomplishLMandTitanPBAwhicharebiologicallyderivedproductsdesignedtoenhancefertilizerefficiency.AgricenwilloperateasaLovelandProductssubsidiaryunderitspresentname.LovelandProductsalsoacquiredaninterestinAgricenssistercompanyAgricenSciencesanappliedsciencesresearchcompanydevelopingnovelmicrobialandbiochemicalsolutionsforplants.BarkleySeedInc.acquiredtheDesertDurumWheatResearchProgramfromMonsantoCompany.TheDesertDurumProgramhasalonghistoryofproducinghigh-qualityidentity-preserveddurumwheatseed.WeregladtogettheprogrambacksaysMichaelEdgarpresidentofBarkleySeed.Weknowdesertdurumverywellandbelieveitwillcontinuetobeanimportantcropinourregion.OriginallyconductedbyanaffiliateofBarkleySeedtheDesertDurumProgramwassoldtoMonsantoin2009.TheNationalCornGrowersAssociationsCornBoardselectedFargoNorthDakotaasthesiteoftheNationalAgriculturalGenotypingCenter.ThisgivesgrowersmoreinfluenceonresearchagendassaysRichardVierlingdirectorofresearchatNCGA.Thenewcenterwilltranslatescientificdiscoveriessuchastheinformationfromthemaizegenomeprojectintosolutionsforproductionagriculturefoodsafetyfunctionalfoodsbioen-ergyandnationalsecurity.FMCCorporationagreedtoacquireCheminovaASawholly-ownedsubsidiaryofAurigaIndustriesAS.CheminovasdirectmarketaccessinEuropecombinedwithitsstrongpositioninLatinAmericawillhelpbringgreaterbalancetoourbusinesssaysPierreBrondeauFMCCorporationpresidentCEOandchairman.Itstechnologywillallowustoexpandourpositioninexistingcropsegmentsandprovideacceleratedaccesstoaddi-tionalcropssuchascereals.FMCanticipatesachievingsyner-giesthroughproductionandoperatingefficiencygainsaswellasimprovedmarketaccess.Theacquisitionisexpectedtocloseinearly2015. 68SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014WhereSeedsGoToChill.Havingseedsreadyorplantingsyear-roundrequirescompleteprotectionromuctuationsintemperatureandhumidity.BMILTechnologieshasyourturnkeytoragesolutionatalowcapitalinvestmentandoperatingcost.FeaturingthepatentedFrioVerdererigerationystemsandDZ-2000DesiccantDehumidiferAgLockerintroducesanidealclimate-controlledcoldroomthatprovidesConsistentlowtemperatureandhumidityconditionsLightweightpanelsandoamorastinsulatedunitinstallationOperator-riendlycontrolsoreasymonitoringSignifcantenergysavingsovertraditionalrerigerationsystemsDeliverseedsandagriculturalproductsthatbringnewpeaksoproft.LetBMILgetyourAgLockerupandrunningandturnyourconceptsintoaordablereality.PRODUCTNEWSValentU.S.A.Corp.launchedtheIntegoSuiteSystemforsoybeanswhichcontainsthefirstnovelseedprotectionfungicidechemistryforpythiumandphytophthoraregisteredbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyinthepast30years.ThisnewsystemprotectstheentireplantandprovidesbetterprotectionacrossmanyspeciesofpythiumandphytophthoraresultinginhigheryieldssaysToddMayhewValentseedprotectionproductdevelopmentmanager.AdvantasAltaSeedswilldemonstratethefirstherbicide-tolerantsorghumhybridsinits2014trialsinHerefordTexas.ThefirstofthesesorghumhybridswillbeintroducedcommerciallybyAltaSeedsin2016.Herbicide-tolerantgrainsorghumakeycropforareaswithlimitedrainfallwillgivegrowersgreaterabilitytocontrolyield-limitinggrassyweeds.DuPontPioneerwillpilotanexpandedversionofitsEncircaYieldservicesplatformwhichincludesphosphorousandpotassiummanage-ment.Thepilotswillfield-testandrefinethenewserviceswhichcomplementtheEncircaYieldNitrogenManagementServicereleasedearlierthisyear.DuPontPioneerwillsignupalimitedgroupofgrowersforthenewphosphorousandpotassiumofferingslaterthisyear.WHEREONTHEWEBBecksHybridslaunchedFARMserverasecureweb-basedsolutiondevelopedwiththefarmerinmind.FARMserverpro-videsauniquerecordkeepingsystemcomprehensiveaerialimageryfield-basedweathermonitoringandacropscoutingapp.FARMserveroffersfarmersaccesstotheirinformationfromanyweb-connecteddeviceatanytime.GENeticEngineeringRiskAtlasGENERAshowsthatinde-pendentpeer-reviewedresearchonGMOsiscommoncon-ductedworldwideandcompriseshalfofthetotalofallresearchonrisksassociatedwithgeneticengineering.GENERAisasearchabledatabaseofpeer-reviewedscientificstudiesontherelativerisksofGEcrops.JournalistsscientistspublicofficialsandanyoneelsecanuseGENERAtosearchforresearchabouttheeffectivenessofusingbiotechnologytomodifythegeneticsofplantsandcanfindstudiesthatcompareGMOstonon-GMOstoseeiftheyareequivalent.StudiesconductedonthesafetyofconsumingGEfoodsandtheirimpactsontheenviron-mentarealsoincludedintheatlas.SWgenera.biofortified.org TheSeedKOTErangeofproductsisdesignedwithseedenhancementinmind.KannarEarthScienceLtd.2220NorthmontParkwaySte250DuluthGA30096Phone678475-1155Fax678623-5849www.KannarGroup.comGETSTARTEDTODAYTolearnmoreabouthowKannarSeedKOTEcanhelpyouenhancethetrueIPtraitsinyourseedwhileofferingsuperiordustcontrolandflowabilitycontactusat678475-1155.STANDOUTINTHECROWD.Youhaveinvestedinyourseedsgeneticpotentialnowboostitwiththebestpossibleseedcoatingsandenhancements.TheKannarSeedKOTErangeofproductsisdesignedwithseedenhancementsinmind.Ourmicro-formulationtechnologymakesourseedcoatingssuperiorinconcentrationandconsistency.KannarSeedKOTEproductsaresuitableforuseasafoodusepesticideinertunder40CFR180.910.920.950andor.960.Plusourseedcoatingsarefullycompatiblewithallkindsofmachinesandmethodscommonlyusedintheseedenhancementindustry.SeedKOTE-VisiblyDifferentforVisibleResults. 70SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014AMOMENTINTIMEInhonoroftheAmericanSeedTradeAssociations1986annualmeetingheldinSanDiegoCaliforniathiscovershowcasesthecoastalcitysbeauty.ThemainphotowastakeninBalboaParkoneofSanDiegoslandmarksandfeaturesthebotanicalgardenswiththeCaliforniaTowerintheback-ground.TheinsetpictureofflowerbedsandarchitecturewastakeninMontrealCanadaandhighlightsthecitysFrenchinfluenceonSanDiego.Thisparticularissuecoveredarangeoftopicsincludingthedrivingforcebehindtherestructuringoftheglobalseedindustryhowtocutsellingexpensestallfescueforhorsesandtheabilityofmagneticscannertechnologytomonitorplantdevelopment.FACTSFIGURESFROMTHIS1986ISSUE5.1MILLIONtonsofMexicancornsorghumandwheatisimportedtotheUnitedStates.125pertonistheaveragecostofselectalfalfahaybalesmarketedtohorsemen.1.5TESLAisthestrengthofthemag-neticfieldcreatedbyamedicalscannerusedtostudythestructureandfunctionofplantrootswhilesearchingforwaystooptimizegrowingconditions.3newsoybeanherbicidesreceivelabelregistrationfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyDuPontsCanopyandClassicherbicidesandGeminifromWilbur-EllisCompanyandBraytonChemicals.SINCE1915ThefirstissueofSeedWorldwaspublishedin1915.HeretheeditorswilltakeyoubackintimetoexplorethenumbersnewsandissuesthatimpactedtheseedindustryallcoveredbySeedWorld.1915192019231925193019351940194319451950195519601965197019751980198519861990199520002003200520102015Hybridseedcorniscommercialized.CoastalbermudagrassisreleasedrevolutionizingforagegrassproductioninthesouthernU.S.Candothefirstsemi-dwarfdurumvarietyisreleased.DiscoveredthatbarleyiseffectiveinreducingserumcholesterolresultinginanFDA-approvedhealthclaim. since1900MoreThorough.MoreData.MoreValue. 72SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER2014UniqueCollaborationaPathwaytoSuccessWhiletheagriculturalandseedindustrieshavehistoricallyworkedtogetherasateam...wevebeenreluctantincollaboratingwithcompetingforces.andassociationsbutalsorepresentedwereplantbreedersproductioncompaniesseeddistributorsdiagnosticlaboratoriestestingkitmanufacturersandcustomsandborderpatrolofficials.Manyfacetsoftheindustryhadaseatandavoiceatthetable.Afterthreeconsecutivedaysofmeetingsaskingnumerousquestionssharingconcernsandhavinghonestandopenconversationsthecollectiveteamsetforthapathwayforresolutionwiththenotionthatotherissueswillfollowthissamepath.Inotherwordssuccesswasachievedbutitwasonlythroughthistypeofcooperationandcommondesiretounderstandtheissuesandfindasustainablesolution.Ihadtheprivilegeofparticipatinginthesemeetingsandobservedseveralbyproductsfromthisexternalcollaboration.Relationshipsweredevelopedwhichareprovingtobeinvaluable.Newmattersthatariseneverescalatetothecrisisstageandnewplat-formsarebeingcreatedforbusinesspartnerships.Ittrulywasteamwork.Todaythissuccessfulcollabora-tivepathwayisbeingexercisedandappliedtootherinternationalseedindustryconcerns.SWTEAMWORKISACATCH-ALLphraseforamyriadofcollaborationcomponents.Itsalsoaconceptthatsembracedinmanytypesoforganizations.Withinanorganizationteamworkisoftenviewedasacreativeandefficientmethodtoachievepositivesustainableresultsandinmanycasesamethodofdepartmentaloperations.Ibelievethatwhenteamworkisappliedexternallyitcannetthosesamepositiveresults.Accordingtoa2001studybyMartinHoeglandGeorgGemuendenthequalityofteamworkmaybemeasuredbyanalyzingthefollowingsixcomponentsofcollaborationamongteammemberscommunica-tioncoordinationbalanceofmembercontributionsmutualsupporteffortandcohesion.Formethattranslatestotheabilitytoproblem-solvedeveloprelationshipsengageinhealthycom-petitionandforgeapathwaytofuturepartnerships.Howevertoefficientlyandeffectivelyachievethemaximumbenefitsofteamworkallstakeholdersorteamplayersmustshareacommongoal.Whiletheagriculturalandseedindustrieshavehistoricallyworkedtogetherasateamonanumberoffrontsfrompolicytoeducationwevebeenreluctantincollaboratingwithcompetingforces.FortunatelyIhavethepleasureofreportingthatnewgroundwasbrokenandboldstepsweretakenwhentheseedindustriesgovernmentsandregulatoryagenciescametogethertofindsolutionstoseedexportandre-exportissues.AfterseveralattemptsbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureandMexicosSecretariatofAgricultureLivestockRuralDevelopmentFisheriesandFoodSAGARPAthecollaborationwentexternallastyearatameetingthatwasheldinNogalesMexico.Bythatextensionthelistofcollaboratorsbecamethegroupofstakeholderswhohadactiverolesandexpertiseinthebusinessmattersathand.CreativeleadershipbyAmericanSeedTradeAssociationandtheAsociacionMexicanadeSemillerosMexicanSeedTradeAssociationinitiatedthecalltotheirrespectiveseedindustryplayersandpartnerstojoininanefforttodraftanactionplantoregainasmoothandtransparentflowtoconcernsregardingseedexportre-exportandimport.ThisnotonlybroughttogetherthegovernmentagenciesKARENANNBREENformerlyMcGuirepresidentandprojectmanageratGlobalEnvironmentalMatrixLLCaconsultingandadvocacygroupwithafocusonagricultureOftenwhenitcomestodealingwithcomplexissuessittingdownface-to-faceandcollaboratingwithallpartiesinvolvedisthebeststrategyfordiscoveringasuccessfulsolution.