b'6. Maximize efficiency of pesticides, nutrients, microbes and more.7. Plant signaling/gene upregulation materials in seed coating (maximize gene expression!).8. Energy, packaging, pollution management (power management, transportation strategies/localized production/treatment, bio-degradable packaging, process pollution reduction?, etc.).9. Water management (quantity, quality, etc.) at every stage from farm to factory back to farm10. Profitability management (the only item the industry cannot live without).Why it Matters to the Seed Industry: The seed industry is one of the key pillars of agricultural sustainability. Without the preservation, protection and promotion of seeds through a variety of tools, including seed treatment and coating, agriculture and the food/fiber/beauty agriculture provides, there is no future. Correctly defining sustainability, making appropriate and achievable goals and building our businesses and partnerships (from manufacturer to supplier to distributor to retailer to grower to consumer) is key to the survival of the seed industry and the world they provide for. If we do our jobs well with the best goals, ideas and strategies, we can not only survive, we can thriveand help make the people in agriculture become universally known as some of the true heroes of sustainability. We not only feed/clothe/beautify the worldwe also help protect and sustain the natural beauty and resources of it.USC Seed Treating Solutions: Sustainability in Treating: Why Configurable Equipment Matters Presented by: Andy Heideman, USC, LLCDescription: An overview of the importance of a seed treating systems automation platform, specifically focusing on sites with manual systems who are weighing the cost/benefit ratio of upgrading to more automated equipment and overall treating system.Why it Matters to the Seed Industry: Regardless of which side of the treating process youre on, be it the seed or the treatment, every company agrees that accuracy, efficiency, and consistency are the most important factors when considering seed treating equipment. Going from a more manual set-up to automated offers the following benefits to seed and treatment entities alike.Responsibility: Ensures a more responsible and accurate application of treatment to the seed. Efficiency: Creates a more efficient operation for the retailer who manages multiple customers and recipes.Accuracy: Automation takes the guesswork out of the treating process, by combining the preferred seed metering method with the treatment, creating a more accurate process. Safety: Closed-loop treatment delivery system protects operators by reducing and eliminating hand-to-chemistry contact, which is an industry-standard and best practice for seed application.Simplicity: More efficient cleaning capabilities provides a safe and simple alternative to maintaining the treating system. Transparency: Automation improvements provide more transparency between the treating locations and growers through more accurate, available, and proven application rates.CHWMEG, Inc.: Globally Promoting Responsible Waste StewardshipPresented by: Suzanne Curry, Director of Marketing & Member SupportDescription: CHWMEG, Inc. is a non-profit organization, helping its members to globally prommote responsible waste stewardship. CHWMEGs global Facility Review Program aligns member interest and needs to cost-effectively deliver comprehensive reports evaluating the environmental and business risk associated with the use of any waste, recycling, treatment, disposal or storage facility. Each year, our members select the facilities to be audited by CHWMEGs experienced group of independent contractors. CHWMEGs protocol and proprietary risk measurement system collects all the information in a standardized report format allowing individual members to independently evaluate their use of the facility.Why it Matters to the Seed Industry: CHWMEG reports are high value, economical supplements to the members environmental management programs. CHWMEG members are concerned about potential environmental liability associated with the wastes and spent materials that are related to their companies manufacturing and business processes.76/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'