Global Soybean Demand Still Declining
As the U.S. enters the 2024/25 soybean marketing year Sept. 1, export sales of new-crop soybeans are at historic lows. However, several factors may potentially revitalize demand for U.S. soybeans in the coming marketing year.
The Humanness of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In recent months, the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has dramatically shifted. With the end of affirmative action as a factor in college admissions, the closure of many university DEI offices and corporations reevaluating DEI initiatives, it’s easy to feel like these concepts are losing ground. However, I believe this is the perfect time to reflect on the true meaning of these words and why they are more important than ever—not just in policy but in our everyday lives, businesses and relationships.
The Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation Awards are Accepting Nominations, Applications for 2025!
With the common goals of recognizing achievement and innovation in plant breeding and shining a spotlight on the contributions made by plant breeders in Canada, the Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation […]
Students! Apply Now for a CPBI Innovation Scholarship
Apply for the Innovation Scholarship and get the chance to win up to $10,000 to help fund your studies. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Bringing Innovation to Life: The Vision Behind Euroseeds 2024’s InnovAction Stage
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Garlich von Essen, CEO & Secretary General of Euroseeds, as he introduces the InnovAction Stage at Euroseeds 2024—a groundbreaking addition to the Euroseeds […]
Nominate a Breeder for the Canadian Plant Breeding & Genetics Award
The PBG Award is a prestigious award given to Canadian students who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. Learn more about the award and how to apply.
The United States has Given the Green Light to GM Wheat
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. has just achieved a major milestone with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) giving the green light to its HB4 wheat technology. The USDA’s favourable Regulatory […]
What GDM’s Acquisition of KWS Corn and Sorghum Assets Means for the South American Seed Sector
At the beginning of August, 2024, GDM initiated the formal integration process of KWS’ corn and sorghum assets in South America, following approval by Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense […]
¿Quieres hacer crecer tu negocio en LATAM?
El 9º Congreso de Semillas de las Américas se celebrará en Buenos Aires, Argentina, del 30 de septiembre al 2 de octubre de 2024. El Congreso es algo que todas […]
Knowing the Difference Between Consensus and Engagement Makes ALL the Difference
As I facilitate discussions around the world, I’ve come to learn what makes for a truly successful discussion that results in substantive change versus an outcome that simply keeps status […]
Keeping Pace with Technological Change Requires Seed Labs to up Their Game
Successfully adopting new technologies isn’t as simple as putting a new machine in the lab. It requires regulatory and industry know-how that only comes from experience. My journey in seed […]
Hutton to Co-Lead New UK-Wide Center Focused on Developing Sustainable Alternatives to Animal Proteins
The James Hutton Institute announced on 28 August its role in co-leading a new £38m UK-wide centre which could soon see alternatives to animal proteins made from plants, fungi, algae […]
Want to Build Your Business in LATAM?
The 9th Seed Congress of the Americas is coming up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2024. The Congress is something that every North and South American seed […]
We Are Not Gauchos
Every day, each of Argentina’s 45 million citizens finds something on their table that was produced by a farmer somewhere in the country. Beyond feeding its own population, Argentina’s agriculture […]
No Somos Gauchos
Cada uno de los 45 millones de argentinos recibe en su mesa todos los días algo que algún productor generó en algún lugar del país. Además, la agricultura abastece a […]
The Critical Need for Harmonized Regulations in the Global Movement of Treated Seed
In today’s interconnected world, the free and efficient movement of treated seed across international borders is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a critical component of ensuring that farmers […]
ASTA’s Top Exec Talks Gene Editing, Steering the Industry Through Political Storms
In a time when political storms are swirling both in the United States and here in Canada, the seed industry faces a daunting challenge: staying focused on innovation and progress […]
SaskBarley is Bolstering Breeding Efforts by Becoming a Member of Western Crop Innovations
The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) has joined Western Crop Innovations (WCI) as a voting member, committing $50,000 in core funding as a transitional grant for the current fiscal year. “This is an important […]
Faster, Cost-Effective Biomass Analysis
But new research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) shows that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, combined with machine learning, is transforming how we analyze raw materials like corn kernels and sorghum biomass—delivering quicker, more affordable results without sacrificing accuracy.
This Crop is A-Maizing!
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on corn breeding in the European seed sector. As explained in Part 1 of this series, corn (also known widely as maize) is […]
College Football Teams Don’t Wait for the Season to End to Make an Adjustment; Your Company Shouldn’t Either
Labor Day signals the end of summer and the start of my two favorite things: seed corn harvest and college football. Many of you know that my undergraduate degree is […]
USDA Funding Sustainable Nitrogen Management Research for Sugar Beet
According to a news release, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) secured $1.7 million in federal funding to advance research on sustainable agriculture practices. This grant is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $90 million Conservation Innovation Grants program and will support two major research initiatives focused on agroforestry and nitrogen management in sugar beet production.
Are Pollinator Shortages Limiting Crop Yields?
The analysis indicates that one-third to two-thirds of farms are underperforming because of a lack of pollinators, a condition known as pollinator limitation. This finding is particularly significant given the growing concern over global insect population declines.
Seeds Canada’s New President is Tackling 2 Priorities that Could Shape the Future of the Seed Business
Brent Collins has become known as a strategic visionary with a knack for anticipating market needs and responding with innovative solutions. Under his leadership as head of seeds and traits […]
Norfolk Plant Sciences Condemns Unauthorized Sale of Purple Tomato Seeds in Europe
Norfolk Plant Sciences (NPS) have released a statement that they are aware that an individual named Bruno Fournier is offering what he claims to be their bioengineered Purple Tomato seeds […]
Access to Genebank Resources Could be Changing. Make Your Voice Heard
As Canadian agriculture faces mounting challenges from climate change, pest pressures, and evolving market demands, the role of plant genebanks has never been more critical. These repositories of plant genetic […]
Crops that Fertilize Themselves
No matter a seed’s genetics, nitrogen fertilizer is critical for achieving high yields, especially in corn. “Just try to grow corn without it,” says associate professor Jason Wallace at the Institute […]
Inari Expands Footprint with New Indiana Facility
…its SEEDesign™ technology platform, Inari integrates AI-powered predictive design with advanced multiplex gene editing to create products focused on promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and farmer well-being. The West Lafayette site serves as the hub for product development and commercial operations, building on research conducted at Inari’s headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Ghent, Belgium.
The Rail Dispute is Over. Now It’s Time to Stop Leaving Farmers and Consumers High and Dry
Last week’s railway work stoppage was a wake-up call. Farmers were anxious about getting their wheat to market, knowing that timing is everything. But with the trains at a standstill, […]
Innovation: Moving the Seed Sector Forward
At the upcoming Euroseeds Congress in Copenhagen, a very bright spotlight will shine on innovation, with the Congress’ InnovAction Stage as the main centrepiece. As I sit enjoying a decent […]
New Tool to Tackle Plant Disease Spread in Disasters
Natural and human-driven disasters often have significant but frequently overlooked impacts on plant health and food security, both domestically and internationally. While many disasters primarily affect plant health indirectly—through disruptions in supply chains and damaged infrastructure—they can also have direct effects, such as pathogen or vector spread caused by floods, hurricanes, or human migration.
Rail Dispute Wasn’t Just About Canada
It may seem like a distant problem, far removed from the business of producing and distributing seeds, but the realities of global supply chains make it impossible to ignore the potential domino effect. A disruption in one place can trigger complications thousands of miles away, and for us, that could mean shipment delays, bottlenecks in logistics and ripple effects that slow certain aspects of business, leading to cascading challenges in both production and distribution.
Hutton’s Potato Expert to Lead the European Association for Potato Research
Professor Ian Toth, Director of the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) and Scotland’s Plant Health Centre at The James Hutton Institute, has been appointed as President of the European Association […]
Syngenta Announces 8 New Hybrids to NK Seeds Corn Portfolio
In celebration of the 140th anniversary of continuous seed sales, Syngenta hosted a Field Day event at the Arva Research and Development Innovation Center. The event brought together 130 growers and dealers, who were given a preview of the new portfolio and heard from the company’s corn development, trait, and breeding team about the R&D efforts behind the launch.
UK Government to Restore Stability for Farmers as Confidence Amongst Sector Low
Government commits to address low confidence and provide stability for the farming sector as figures show confidence remains poor. The government has pledged to introduce a new deal for farmers […]
Railway Work Stoppages to Cost Growers Over $50 Million Daily, According to Grain Growers of Canada
The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is sounding the alarm over an unprecedented situation where both of Canada’s major railways, CN and CPKC, have simultaneously ceased operations. This disruption, which […]