b'Why the Future of Food Depends on Solving the Seed Industrys Biggest ChallengesTHE SEED INDUSTRYis at a pivotal moment.creating new challenges for seamless seed movement. Advances in technology and the shifting demands ofThe role of the seed industry is to act as a facilitator, a global marketplace are reshaping how we approachhelping industry members understand these evolv-seed health, quality, and innovation. ing regulations, adopt stronger testing practices, and One of the most pressing issues with our ability tocommunicate effectively with regulators. Smoothing address these needs is resource allocation. Federalthe pathway for seed movement and ensuring com-funding for research and development has becomepliance is critical to avoid unnecessary delays in seed tighter, which means the industry and its academic andshipments.regulatory partners must find smarter ways to do moreAnd then theres climate change, which adds yet with less. Thats why building strong collaborationsanother unpredictable layer. From shifting weather BY DR. SCOTTwith industry stakeholders is critical. We must continuepatterns to more frequent droughts and changing pest HEUCHELIN,to bring industry groups together so we can haveand disease pressures, crop stability is more fragile Director, Iowa Stateongoing conversations about the challenges we facethan ever. The seed industry must accelerate breeding University Seedand the solutions we need. efforts for resilience and adaptability. But that depends Science Center Seed health testing is at the forefront of these con- on the infrastructure and seed health systems we build versations. As detection technologies improve, we facetoday. Ensuring that seed lots are free of diseases a paradox. The more sensitive our methods become,before they reach the farm isnt just a best practice; its the more were able to detect tiny fragments of geneticessential for future sustainability.material from pathogens. But thats not always a goodDespite these challenges, I see a future packed Technologything. Sometimes we find harmless remnants or non- with potential. The rapid advancement of genomics, alone isntviable pieces of pathogen DNA that doesnt pose a realphenomics and data analytics is opening exciting new threat because of established treatments that seed ispaths. Were on the cusp of developing smarter, more enough.exposed to during conditioning. The challenge now issustainable seed solutions, thanks in part to gene edit-developing assays that can distinguish between genu- ing, marker-assisted breeding and high-throughput Collaborationine threats and false alarms. Achieving both sensitiv- sequencing. These innovations can help us breed forreal,ity and biological relevance is critical for the future ofdisease resistance, climate resilience, and improved testing. nutrition, at a pace never experienced before.genuineAnother concern is the industrys shortage of skilledBut technology alone isnt enough. Collaboration collaborationseed analysts and technical experts. Seed testing is a real, genuine collaborationis the key to making highly specialized skill and relying on these profession- an impact. We must align our goals across industry,is the keyals underscores how vulnerable we can be, especiallyacademia, government, and growers. Together, we can as fewer young scientists and technicians are enteringdevelop standards, share data more freely, and speed to making anthe field. Thats why education and training are critical.up innovations that will benefit everyone.impact.The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University isI believe the future of seed science depends on working hard to provide top-tier training and certifica- how well we adapt to change. The stakes are high.Scott Heuchelin tion programs, but we must do more to attract theSecuring resilient, sustainable food systems around the next generation of talent. world depends on it. I look forward to leading this next Regulations also add complexity. Globally, countrieschapter with the Seed Science Center with a focus on are tightening their seed import and export standards,creating solutions that truly make a difference. SW 56/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2025'