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House Agriculture Committee Reviews The State Of The Rural Economy

Rep. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, held a hearing to review the state of the rural economy. The hearing comes just days after the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the 2014 Farm Bill. Implementation of the law was the main topic of discussion as members of the committee asked Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, about progress.

“Right now there is a long list of challenges facing our farmers and ranchers, including rising input costs, volatile commodity prices, regulatory burdens, unpredictable tax policy, and rising foreign subsidies and tariffs, so implementing the farm bill as Congress intended is very important,” Chairman Conaway said.  “It is equally important to keep a clear line of communication between the committee and the department, and I appreciated the Secretary taking time to update us on his team’s efforts to put the farm bill in place.”

Members also expressed disappointment in the president’s recently released budget proposal to cut crop insurance – the centerpiece of the farm bill safety net.

“We have a new farm bill on the books that passed with bipartisan support,” Chairman Conaway said. “The President’s proposed cuts to crop insurance, which the Secretary has vocally supported, would undermine the farm bill and make the inherently risky business of growing our nation’s food supply even riskier.  We should recognize the contributions agriculture has made to deficit reduction and give the new farm bill time to work.”

Source:senate.gov


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Why Seed Analysts are Thriving Under Seeds Canada

Video: Why Seed Analysts are Thriving Under Seeds Canada

Last month in Edmonton, Alta., industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of the seed industry at Seeds Canada’s annual conference. Among them was Sarah Foster, president of 2020 Seed Labs and the new vice-president of Seeds Canada.

Foster, who has been on the board of Seeds Canada for over a year, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with the formation of the organization. Seeds Canada was established just over three years ago through the merger of multiple seed industry groups, including the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC). Since then, the organization has been working to define its priorities and solidify its role in the industry.

“The challenge has been allowing the dust to settle after the merger,” Foster explained. “We’ve been focused on identifying what our priorities should be and ensuring that our members, especially the seed analysts, are getting what they need to continue their professional work.”

One of the recent highlights was a pre-conference event where the three major seed labs in Alberta — 20/20 Seed Labs, SGS Canada and Seed Check — opened their doors to members. The event saw a record number of seed analysts and business professionals in attendance. Foster emphasized the importance of this transparency, stating, “It’s crucial for people to see what goes on behind the scenes. We’re an open book now, and that openness helps build trust and understanding within the industry.”

The event also featured an environmental scan and a series of discussions that fostered strong communication among attendees. According to Foster, the dialogue was both encouraging and inspiring.

“A lot of people were really inspired by the fact that Seeds Canada is moving ahead with its agenda. The seed analysts, who have always worked diligently in the background, are now being recognized more prominently,” she said.

Before the merger, seed analysts were represented by CSAAC. Now, as part of Seeds Canada, they are finding their place within the larger organization. Foster believes that the integration has been successful, noting, “I think we’re thriving. You only need to look south of the border, where similar consolidations are happening.”

As Seeds Canada continues to evolve, Foster remains optimistic about the future. “I want to be totally transparent with anyone who is a seed analyst — I’ve got your back. We’re moving in a positive direction, and we’ll do everything we can to meet the needs of our members,” she said.