80 / SEEDWORLD.COM JANUARY 2019 CONVENTION CHATTER “I love science and technology, farming and working with people. Plant breeding was and is a perfect fit for me,” Falk said. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Falk worked in canola breeding programs at Monsanto and Bayer for five years. He earned his master’s degree in plant breeding from the University of Manitoba. Second and third place winners were Kshitij Khatri of the University of Florida and Nathalia Penna Cruzato of Texas A&M University. Videos were judged by an expert panel of vol- unteers from ASTA, NAPB and the Tri-Societies. Addressing the Yield Gap While working to bridge the communication gap is important, it’s also critical to improve the yield gap in crops of importance in developing parts of the world. As such, Rob Bertram, USAID chief sci- entist in the Bureau for Food Security spoke about new partnerships and efforts designed to achieve measurable results. Since the Green Revolution, yield gains in devel- oping countries have slowed, Bertram shared. “What we see in the developing world is farm- ers who are growing varieties that are decades old,” he said. “This is not acceptable and not com- petitive, and it’s certainly not going to deliver an end to hunger. “We know that modern plant breeding can deliver the gains to help meet these challenges.” Bertram compared yield advances of cowpea and groundnut to that of soy, which has seen yield increases of 2 percent per year. To help, USAID is partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the international crop improvement centers. Through this partnership, actions are being taken to: • Assess the breeding programs across the inter- national centers. • Improve excellence in breeding platforms. • Work to modernize breeding programs. @AgvocateSam: It is okay to say “I don’t know the answer to that, but I will find someone who does” @bigskyfarmher discussing how to get started with #agvocacy @JaneDeMarchi: Welcome Under Secretary Greg Ibach #ASTACSS balancing innovation and consumer expectations is key to the work of USDA. @AgriMAXXWheat: “You must manage for high yields to achieve high yields.” Thanks to @WheatPete for presenting at the #ASTACSS Conference! Great message! #wheat #prosperitygrass19 @JohnLatham: Thanks @ScottKayBASF for bringing your perspective of the seed industry and BASF’s future. #ASTACSS #BetterSeed @Kev_Falk: Todd Campbell, president of the @NAPlantBreeders discussing how plant breeding innovates, not through silver bullets but through steady, incremental improvements. @USDA @Better_Seed #astacss @CoorsLight @PrincessAmitola: Politics and weather are the primary drivers of farm profitability in 2019. @AgResource #ASTACSS @IndieProSeed: @Better_Seed #ASTACSS #MajorsAfterMergers kicks off with @J_CCollins from @CortevaUS “Agriculture is at a crossroads – the status quo will not be enough.” @IndianaChemist: Great session by Dan Basse on world economy and world Ag trade at #ASTACSS Conference. Africa and India are net grain importers on the rise. Modern plant breeding can accelerate crop improvement and deliver new varieties to the developing world, says Rob Bertram of USAID. “What we see in the developing world is farmers who are growing varieties that are decades old. This is not acceptable ...” — Rob Bertram