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New Wheat Gene Discovery Could Stem Epidemic
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A team of researchers from the University of California, Davis and Kansas State University has identified a gene that enables resistance to a new race or strain of stem rust – a disease that is causing large wheat yield losses throughout Africa and Asia and is threatening global food security. By transferring this gene to commercial wheat varieties, researchers say wheat breeders will have a distinct advantage in controlling the epidemic.
“A new race of a wheat disease, called stem rust Ug99, has been spreading over large distances since 1999, threatening important wheat production areas of the world,” says Jorge Dubcovsky, a wheat geneticist at UC Davis. “This study identifies a gene called Sr35 that confers near-immunity to this new race.”
The research team will now work to identify which combination of resistance genes can deliver a more durable resistance against the disease. Findings from the study have been published in the journal Science Express.
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ASTA Signs Letter in Support of Funding for the Endowment of the Global Crop Diversity Trust
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ASTA recently joined eight other agriculture associations to urge Congress to provide funding for the endowment of the Global Crop Diversity Trust in the FY 2014 State, Foreign Operations bill (SFOPS).
Section 3202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246) authorized a U.S. contribution of $60 million over five years (2008-2012) to the endowment of the Global Crop Diversity Trust. That authority has been extended by Congress for one year. In addition, both the House and Senate versions of the pending Farm bill contain a provision authorizing an additional $12 million for the Trust through fiscal year 2018.
Since the early U.S. involvement, the Trust has garnered pledges of more than $230 million from developing as well as developed countries, the private sector, and charitable foundations. The Trust plays a complementary role to US genetic resources, the National Plant Germplasm System, housed at the USDA Agricultural Research Service. These resources support the economic viability of U.S. agriculture and new energy initiatives, and provide important benefits to efforts to alleviate global poverty and respond to climate change.
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BIO Launches Website to Answer Questions About GMO
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On July 29, The Council for Biotechnology (CBI) Information launched www.GMOAnswers.com, a new resource committed to transparency about the use of GMOs in agriculture, research and data – all in one public place for the first time. ASTA has signed on as a supporter of this initiative.
Research funded by the Council shows that there is a need for this conversation: 49 percent of people surveyed either don’t know or are unsure of what a genetically modified crop is, and most have very little understanding of what GMO products are on the market today. GMO Answers is inviting the world – including GMO critics – to ask the tough questions, to be skeptical, and to evaluate the information on biotechnology. GMO Answers’ five core principles are:
- Welcoming and answering questions on all GMO topics
- Making GMO information, research and data easy to access and evaluate, and supporting independent safety testing of GM products, including allowing independent safety testing of our products by using validated science-based methods
- Supporting farmers as they work to grow crops using precious resources more efficiently with less impact on the environment and producing safe, nutritious food and feed products
- Respecting farmers’ rights to choose the seeds that are best for their farms, businesses and communities and providing seed choices that include making non-GM seeds based on market demands
- Respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families
- Respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families
Members of The Council for Biotechnology Information include BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta.
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ASTA Asks APHIS to Reconsider Decision on Herbicide Resistant Crops and EIS
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ASTA recently commented on two separate Notices on Intent to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (“EISs”) under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture with respect to herbicide-tolerant crops developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC and Monsanto Company.
ASTA asked APHIS to reconsider its decision to prepare EISs’ for the herbicide tolerant crops identified in the Notices of Intent and to act quickly to finalize the deregulation process for these crops regarding these herbicides, such as 2,4-D and Dicamba. ASTA believes a prompt deregulation would be keeping with the limited scope of APHIS’s authority under the Plant Protection Act, the Ninth Circuit’s recent Roundup Ready® Alfalfa decision, relevant Supreme Court precedent and the APHIS regulations governing deregulation petitions.
To read the complete letter, please click here.
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FuSE Webinar on Social Media – August 7
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The Future Seed Executives (FuSE) will host the third installment of their social media-focused webinar series from noon-1pm CST on Wednesday, August 7th. Shannon Latham and Laura Cunningham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds will discuss how they integrate their platforms to drive traffic back to their blog; how they use social media in the field; tips on repurposing content; and the strengths and limitations of social media for regional companies. Participation is limited to 75 ASTA members — sign up today.
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Registration Opens August 1 for CSS 2013 & Seed Expo
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For 67 years, the CSS in Chicago has been the premiere event for seed industry professionals to do business. In between placing and taking orders, buyers and sellers alike take advantage of great networking opportunities, innovative product showcases and important news and informational sessions.
Registration opens Thursday, August 1 for CSS 2013 & Seed Expo in Chicago, December 10-13.
Accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Chicago sell out quickly, so call today and be sure to book under the ASTA group rate! We’ll see you in Chicago!
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All-America Selections Showcases Perennials, Peppers, Edibles and Printed Containers for Growers and Retailers
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 AAS is showcasing its award-winning and best-selling perennials, peppers and edibles in conjunction with printed pots featuring the AAS logo and program description. The pots will let consumers instantly locate award-winning selections at their local garden retailer. The winners have been tested and trialed throughout North America, and have been proven to have outstanding garden performance. They are also well-known to consumers, which means quick acceptance by consumers.
Selected by AAS for the edibles program were varieties from the multi-colored 1998 Winner, Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’ to the just-announced 2014 Winner Bean ‘Mascotte’, bred for both container and in-ground gardening. Also included are two violas: ‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien’ (2010) and ‘Shangri-La Marina’ (2011); two tomatoes: ‘Terenzo’ and ‘Lizzano’ (both 2011); one herb ‘Siam Queen’ Basil (1997) and one pepper ‘Cayennetta’ (2012)
Winners among perennials range from the 2002 Winner, Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’ to the most recent 2013 Winner Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit.’
The AAS-winning peppers in the program include: ‘Cajun Belle’, ‘Orange Blaze’, ‘Cayenetta’, ‘Mexibell’ and ‘Carmen’. The tomatoes are: ‘Lizzano’, ‘Terenzo’, ‘Jasper’, ‘Big Beef’ and ‘Husky Gold’.
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ARS Administrator Ed Knipling Announces Retirement
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After 46 years at USDA, the last ten of which he served as ARS Administrator, Ed Knipling announced his retirement, effective in September. In a letter to colleagues at ARS and USDA and to other external partners and stakeholders, Knipling optimistically suggested that there are signs that ARS could receive up to a 10 percent funding increase next year over the current sequester-depressed FY 2013 funding level. This potential budget outcome, he wrote, “reflects the increasing importance and necessity of agricultural research for helping to achieve global food security and environmental sustainability over the next several decades.”
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ASTA Welcomes New Members!
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Midwestern Bag & Supply (www.midwesternbag.com)
RCI Engineering LLC (www.rciengineering.com)
ProHarvest Seeds, Inc. (www.proharvestseeds.com)
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Seeding Success
It’s your membership and financial support that allows ASTA to do this work and get you the information you need. Please encourage other seed industry colleagues to join ASTA and contribute to the success of the industry.
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American Seed Trade Association
1701 Duke Street, Suite 275
Alexandria, VA 22314
(p) 703.837.8140 │ (f) 703.837.9365
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ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at 703-837-8140.
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