As harvest begins across the country, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. “Seed treatments provide farmers with an economical means of protecting seeds and seedlings against early-season insect pests and diseases—resulting in stronger and more uniform stands, healthier plants and higher crop …
Lawsuit Alleges Seed Company Intentionally Sold Subpar Products to Black Farmers
A group of Mid-South farmers claims Stine Seed Company purposefully switched seeds to sell black farmers a subpar product last year. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association alleges a distributor switched out certified seed for lesser quality soybean seeds, and that despite above average rainfall, the farmers saw limited soybean yield from the seeds during the 2017 harvest. The seeds …
National FFA Organization and ASTA Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding
The National FFA Organization and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum will align ASTA’s strategic goals and resources with the three-component model of agricultural education, providing teacher curriculum and resources; supervised agricultural experience support and mentors; and leadership and career development. “This Memorandum of Understanding helps stress the importance of the three-component …
Bayer Closes Monsanto Acquisition
It was announced in a release that Bayer had successfully completed the acquisition of Monsanto, but no branding changes will take place just yet. Monsanto will operate independently from Bayer for an interim period while Bayer completes the sale of some of its businesses to BASF. According to the conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, the integration of Monsanto …
Canada Approves Bayer Acquisition of Monsanto, with Conditions
The Canadian Competition Bureau has officially approved Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto, with some conditions. The agreement addresses the Bureau’s concerns that the acquisition would have significantly harmed competition and innovation in Canada’s agricultural sector. Following a review of the sale, the Bureau concluded that the merger would substantially lessen and prevent competition in Canada with respect to the supply of …
U.S. Government to Spend $50 Million in Seed Quality
The U.S. is trailing China in federal ag research and seed-breeding investments. China has outspent the U.S. in those categories for the past ten years. To help combat the low spending, House Democrats Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Darren Soto of Florida introduced the Seeds for the Future Act earlier this year. A Farm Journal report quotes a release from …
Saving Tomato Seeds for Next Year’s Garden
Are you interested in saving a little money, and, growing beautiful tomatoes next growing season? Cathy Isom has the solution. She lets you know how to save those tomato seeds for next year’s garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Saving Tomato Seeds for Next Year’s Garden If you’ve never done it before, or want to try your …
European Union Approves Bayer Takeover of Monsanto, with Conditions
German chemical company Bayer was given conditional European Union approval in its acquisition of Monsanto. A Dow Jones report says the takeover bid, which is worth more than $60 billion, was only approved after both companies agreed to divest themselves of assets worth more than $7.3 billion dollars, in order to ease antitrust concerns. As a large part of the …
Exchanging Seeds at a Seed Library
Cathy Isom fills you in about how you can start a garden by exchanging seeds like library books. That story’s ahead on This Land of Ours. Exchanging Seeds at a Seed Library Whether or not your new to gardening or looking for a new way to grow your own flowers and produce – a seed library may be worth looking …
Progeny Bringing the Best Possible Products to Your Farm
Progeny. That’s the name of innovative, high-performing seed products. And they do it all with one goal in mind: to bring the best possible products to your farm. And when it comes to corn seed, Progeny Agronomist John Rocconi says they recently received some great news about one of their hybrids. Progeny Bringing the Best Possible Products to Your Farm …