b'U.S. seed imports of cover crops have doubled between 2019 to 2023, reaching a value of $68 million in 2023.Etienne Suttonconsisted of interviews with seven industry representatives and an online survey distributed to ASTA member companies.We received 45 responses to that online survey, which is about a 30% response rate, given that there are roughly 153 organizations within ASTA membership involved in the cover crop industry, Myers shared.Among the surveys key findings, they highlighted that most companies reported cover crop seed sales accounted for less than 10% of their total business sales. In terms of regional sales, the Midwest represented 50% of cover crop seed sales, followed by the West, then the South, and then with the Northeast and international sales representing a much smaller proportion.Survey respondents also provided insights into the traits valued most by farmers. For row crop producers, seed cost, ease of spring control, and nitrogen addition ranked as the top three traits. For livestock producers, the top traits were forage yield, cost, and forage quality.Sutton pointed out that while cost remains a significant factor, the demand for improved traits such as regional adapta-tion, winter hardiness, and establishment vigor is growing. She Etienne Sutton speaking at the ASTA Forage and Turf Convention. highlighted contrasting views from respondents about the value of named varieties versus variety-not-stated (VNS) seed. One respondent remarked that cover crops are a commodity, all about price. No one cares about someones variety of rye, clover, or radish.However, she said others argued for the need for improved varieties, with one interviewee stating, If you could breed a radish to make it through the wintertime, youve got something right. If you could breed crimson clover to get out of the ground quicker and be more winter tolerant across the Midwest, wed sell a lot more crimson clover.Looking to the future, Sutton said survey respondents expect a 35% increase in cover crop seed sales and a 33% increase in seed production over the next five years. Despite this optimism, challenges such as forecasting demand and handling seed stor-age capacity persist. Only 29% [of respondents] were able to handle volume increases over 25%.Sutton closed by discussing policy concerns, citing a need for standardized seed quality and contamination regulations and expansion of federally supported crop insurance programs for cover crop seed producers.Despite these challenges, she expressed optimism for the future of the cover crop seed industry, emphasizing the strong interest in further research on the agronomic and profitability impacts of cover crops.Were really excited to be involved in this project, Sutton 60 Hoka Streetsaid. We enjoy working with members across the cover crop Winnipeg, MB R2C 3N2 seed industry to not only bolster the industry but also increase crippennorthlandsuperior.com cover crop adoption overall.SW84/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2024'