b'I N D U S T R Y N E W S Delivering the news you need to know. Submissions welcomeemail us at news@seedworldgroup.com. Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, are facing U.S. federal charges for allegedly smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the country and attempting unauthorized research at the University of Michigan. The fungus, known to cause head blight in wheat and barley, is considered a potential agroterrorism agent. The charges include conspiracy, smuggling, and making false statements, with Liu also facing visa fraud.Iowa hosted over 50 Vietnamese officials for the signing of five MOUs between Vietnams feed industry and U.S. companies, including agreements for 900,000 metric tons of U.S. corn and GDM, a global plant genetics company, has agreed250,000 metric tons of DDGS. Vietnam is a key importer of to acquire full ownership of Agreliant Genetics, aU.S. agricultural products and is exploring expanding its ethanol North American supplier of corn and soybean seeds.mandate, potentially creating demand for 200 million additional The acquisition brings together GDMs soybeangallons of ethanol. Iowa Corn and the U.S. Grains Council have genetics and AgReliants corn breeding capabilities,been engaging with Vietnam on ethanol adoption, which would expanding GDMs seed product offerings in Northbenefit Iowas corn farmers if a nationwide E10 mandate is implemented.America. The deal also includes corn germplasm rights and complements GDMs existing soybean geneticThe U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the sale of Benson Hills licensing business and seed brands such as Mustangassets to Confluence Genetics, LLC, which will continue the Seeds, Revere, and DONMARIO. business under new leadership and ownership. Confluence Genetics will focus on scaling ultra-high protein soybean genet-ics and expanding its specialty food-grade soybean portfolio using proprietary germplasm, AI breeding technology, and Restoring the speed breeding.Native Landscape FMC and Corteva Agriscience have entered a strategic agree-ment to expand the use of FMCs fluindapyr fungicide for U.S. corn and soybean growers. Both companies will market fluindapyr-based products to combat foliar diseases like tar spot and southern rust. FMC will continue offering Adastrio and develop new fluindapyr products, while Corteva plans to launch its product in 2026, pending EPA approval.Pivot Bio is establishing two Midwest-based centers of excel-lence to support its scientific and commercial growth: one focused on research, development, and operations, and the other as its global headquarters. This move consolidates teams to boost collaboration, accelerate innovation, and scale operations as the company expands into new crops and global markets. BASF has introduced InVigor Gold, a new canola seed designed to unlock the genetic potential of canola-quality Brassica juncea in new growing regions of Canada and the U.S. InVigor Gold aims to expand canola production into hotter, drier areas with lower-quality soils. Trials from 20222024 show it outyielded traditional canola by 8% in challenging environ-800-873-3321 ments. The product is expected to launch in the U.S. by 2027 sales@ernstseed.com and later in Canada, pending regulatory approvals. SW46/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'