At the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to talk with the President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, Andy LaVigne.
“Our members produce conventional, biotech, and organic seed,” LaVigne said. “Anything planted- pretty much our members are producing.”
LaVigne said seed production this year was higher than predicted. When it comes to securing that seed, LaVigne recommends that producers talk to their seed dealer early to ensure they are able to plant the seed of their choice.
“Talk to your seed company about what will work best for my market demand that is out there and what I want to do with my operation,” LaVigne said. “That helps the seed company analyze what they have got in their stock to fit that demand, but also analyzing the future of what they want to produce and multiply for your future demands.”
Research is an integral part of the seed industry, and LaVigne said there is room for growth in many areas.
“Go see your seed company’s demonstration plots,” LaVigne said. “They do demonstrations every year, and you can go look at 50 different varieties side by side and see what works and what is working throughout the state.”
Turning the page to the farm bill, LaVigne said the American Seed Trade Association has prioritized crop insurance, research, trade and conservation.
“It is important that we have research, and we have those research dollars for our research institutions and ag research service,” LaVigne said. “We also need to have a good, strong conservation title. Farmers have been working really hard the last number of decades to really put conservation as a central part of their operation.”
Lastly, LaVigne said a trade title is a critical part of the farm bill because it is important to be able to move seed around the world.
“We have to be able to move seed around the world to do research development and multiplication,” LaVigne said.
