Seed E-News

August 5, 2010

Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward the Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Julie Douglas at ASTA. Past issues can be viewed here .

In This Issue • ASTA News • New ASTA member

ASTA News

USDA releases farm expenditures report; seeds and plants make up 5-6 percent

Seeds and plants make up about 5-6 percent of total farm expenditures, according to the 2009 Farm Production Expenditure Report released Aug. 3 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The report, completed by USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, surveyed more than 33,000 farms in 48 states and had a response rate of 63.1 percent. The full report is available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1066. A summary is available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2010/08_03_2010.asp.

Total farm expenditures in 2009 for seeds & plants was $15.5 billion, accounting for 5.4 percent of total farm production expenditures. To help put this in perspective, labor totaled 10 percent; fuels totaled 4.3 percent; taxes totaled 3.6 percent; agricultural chemicals totaled 4 percent; rent totaled 7.9 percent; and fertilizer, lime and soil conditioners totaled 7 percent of total farm production expenditures. USDA's definition of "seeds and plants" excludes bedding plants, nursery stock, seed purchased for resale and includes seed treatments. When combined, crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers and seeds) for crop farms totaled $41.7 billion, which accounts for 26.3 percent of total farm expenses. Crop farms reported spending an average of $14,226 in 2009 for seeds and plants, virtually unchanged from the previous year. The average expenditure for seeds and plants in 2009 for all reporting farms is $7,072 versus $6,889 in 2008. The Midwest, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio, spent the most on seeds and plants totaling $7.1 billion. Second to the Midwest, the Plains spent a total of $3 billion on seeds and plants. In Illinois, farms that were surveyed spent an average of slightly more than $20,000 on seeds and plants, totaling $1.5 billion in farm production expenditures for the state. Iowa farms reported spending an average of $16,631 for seeds and plants, also totaling $1.5 billion in farm production expenditures for the state. According to USDA's definition of a farm, anyone with sales of more than $1,000 is considered a farm. NASS uses a multi-frame system that "typically represents the larger more specialized operations contributing the greater portion of the data expansions."

Registration now open for CSS & Seed Expo 2010

Individuals interested in the seed industry, especially the areas of corn, soybeans and sorghum can now register to attend the American Seed Trade Association's CSS & Seed Expo, held Dec. 7-10 in Chicago, Ill. "This is the largest seed industry convention in the country," said Jennifer Crouse, ASTA director of meetings and services. "The Hyatt Regency Chicago has been home to the meeting for the past 35 years." The two and a half day convention features educational sessions on issues that are prominent in the seed industry, including the latest soybean, corn and sorghum research. ASTA's various committees will also meet to discuss developments in the areas of biotechnology, intellectual property rights and stewardship. The Seed Expo will showcase more than 115 exhibitors from seed companies and technology providers to those who supply services to the seed industry. Online registration is now available at http://www.amseed.com/mtg_css10_registration.asp. Registration to the full conference costs $275 for ASTA members and $650 for non-members. A one-day registration is also available for $150 and $350, respectively. Individuals who do not have Internet access and would like to register can contact the ASTA office at 703-837-8140. A print brochure and registration form will be mailed in the coming months.

Best rates for Seed Expo 2010 exhibit booths expire Sept. 1

The early tier of pricing for exhibit booths at the American Seed Trade Association's Seed Expo 2010 expires Sept. 1, after which booth prices increase by $400 per 10' x 10' space. Be sure to take advantage of the best pricing available by securing your exhibit space this month for the Dec. 7-9 event. Seed Expo 2010 booth registration is available at http://www.amseed.com/mtg_seedexpo10_BoothReg.asp. To help simplify the registration process for exhibitor's personnel and invited guests, ASTA has added a new tool to their registration Web site. "We have a new tool that simplifies the process for exhibitor personnel and invited guests," said Jennifer Crouse, ASTA director of meetings. "We are really encouraging exhibitors to take advantage of this tool, which automatically calculates the formula for complimentary booth personnel versus paid personnel." Exhibitors can access this tool at http://www.amseed.com/mtg_seedexpo10_PersonnelReg.asp. Exhibitors receive two complimentary passes for personnel to work the booth (based on a 10' x 10' space). "One of the benefits of being an exhibitor is that we allow companies and vendors to invite their customers to come to the show complimentary," Crouse said. "This increases the exposure of all agribusinesses and companies that participate in the Seed Expo." The new addition also allows exhibitors to complete an online form, which will automatically generate an email invitation to their designated customers after a brief review and approval by ASTA. For questions and additional information about exhibitor registration, contact Hiranthie Stanford at 703-837-8140 or hstanford@amseed.org.

RUSSL GE amendment not approved

Earlier this spring, a proposal was submitted to the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO) to amend the Recommended Uniform State Seed Law (RUSSL) to include a definition of genetically modified seed, and a subsequent labeling requirement. This proposal was considered during AASCO's annual meeting July 26-29 in Portland, Ore. After dutiful deliberation of the proposal by the AASCO members in attendance, and consideration of input from members not able to attend the meeting as well as others from the seed industry, the amendment proposal was opposed and did not pass. Therefore, RUSSL will not be amended and will not require the GMO definition and labeling. No other changes were considered at the time. ASTA submitted an opposition letter to the original amendment proposal based upon legal conflicts and precedents.

ASTA members requested to participate in China Seed Expo

Members of the American Seed Trade Association's Corn and Sorghum Seed Division have a unique opportunity to participate in China's Seed Expo, held Sept. 16-18 in Shenyang, located in China's Liaoning Province. Expo organizers have offered to provide ASTA members with booth space and possible hotel rooms, explained Lisa Nichols, ASTA director of international programs. Details about China's Seed Expo are available at http://www.chinaseedexpo.com.cn/english/index.php. "This event is an excellent forum to communicate with Chinese farmers, government officials and stakeholders interested in quality U.S. seed," Nichols said. "ASTA has participated in China's Seed Expo for the last two years and we will have a booth there again this year." During the Seed Expo, ASTA will distribute educational materials that highlight the importance of innovation, investment, quality seed and performance. "Farmers need to know that they are getting the best product available," said Bernice Slutsky, ASTA vice president of science and international affairs. "We also have information about the Seed Quality Management Guide and a question and answer sheet regarding intellectual property rights that attendees can take with them." Individuals interested in this opportunity should immediately contact Nichols at 703-837-8140 or lnichols@amseed.org.

Miller participates in Association of American Seed Control Officials meeting

The American Seed Trade Association's Pat Miller, director of state affairs, attended the Association of American Seed Control Officials convention July 26-29 in Portland, Ore. During the convention, participants learned about new seed technologies, testing methods and legal updates. Miller said one highlight of the convention was a tour of Willamette Valley Seed Production facilities. Also, David Buckingham, a recently retired Kentucky seed control official, was awarded honorary member status. Ron Pence, of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and also AASCO chairman, will complete his second year of his two-year term as association chairman. Pence appointed Miller to a new committee to help with membership outreach.

USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program general sign-up

U.S. farmers and ranchers can enroll eligible land in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's competitive Conservation Reserve Program Aug. 2-27 by visiting their local Farm Service Agency (FSA). CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to use their environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 32 million acres. According to FSA's Web site, eligible acreage includes cropland that has been cropped or is considered to be cropped for four of the six years between 2002 - 2007 and is located within conservation priority areas, has an average Erodibility Index (EI) of eight or greater (highly erodible), or is to be restored to rare and declining habitats. Visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsato find a local Farm Service Agency. Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance. CRP protects millions of acres of America's topsoil from erosion and is designed to improve the nation's natural resources base. Participants voluntarily remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production by entering into long-term contracts for 10 to 15 years. In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices. Land currently not enrolled in CRP may be offered in this sign-up provided all eligibility requirements are met. Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall covering about 4.5 million acres may make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this sign-up are scheduled to become effective Oct. 1. For more information, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa seeks bluebonnet seeds

Members of the American Seed Trade Association that sell packets of bluebonnet seeds may have an opportunity to be the official supplier of JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. The resort would like to leave guests with a token (bluebonnet seeds) to remember their stay. Interested companies should contact Perri Neirman, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Kids Club supervisor, at 210-276-2500, ext. 4346 or perri.neirman@marriott.com by Sept. 1.

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.