Canada’s seed industry is at a crossroads—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

At the Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings, new Seeds Canada CEO Dan Wright didn’t mince words: without better funding for innovation, Canadian farmers risk falling behind globally.

So what’s the solution?

Plant breeders are doing the hard work developing higher-yielding, disease-resistant crops, but they’re often only paid once for their innovation.

After that? Farmers can reuse seed, and breeders see little return.

That’s a problem when:

Enter the Variety Use Agreement (VUA).

It’s simple:

Think of it as a pay-for-performance model for seed innovation. 

Global companies are watching Canada.

If they can’t capture value here, they may invest elsewhere.

And that means:

There’s no silver bullet, but doing nothing isn’t an option.

The future of Canadian agriculture depends on:

 Want the full story?
Hear Dan Wright break it down on the latest Seed World podcast.

The post Seed Innovation in Canada: The Funding Problem No One Can Ignore appeared first on Seed World.

Dr. Kelly Turkington has spent more than four decades studying the diseases that shape Western Canadian crops, but ask him about his career, and he’ll tell you it’s really about people.

In the latest episode of the Seed World Canada podcast, Turkington — longtime plant pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe, Alta. — reflects on a career that helped farmers better understand and manage crop disease, often saving them thousands of dollars in the process.

From his early days as a University of Saskatchewan student inspired by a single plant pathology class, to years spent scouting fields on his hands and knees in rural Saskatchewan, Turkington’s story is one of curiosity, humility and connection. Along the way, he built a reputation not just as a scientist, but as someone who listens — whether to farmers, agronomists or colleagues.

In this conversation, Turkington opens up about the realities of a life in agricultural research — the importance of mentorship, the challenge of public speaking, and the camaraderie that makes the work meaningful. He also shares candid reflections on impact: those moments in the field when a simple conversation leads to better decisions and measurable results for farmers.

Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Kelly Turkington on the Seed World Canada podcast.

The post Plant Pathology, Farmers and 40 Years in Ag: Dr. Kelly Turkington’s Story appeared first on Seed World.

It’s rare that the seed sector and the music industry overlap, but Anton van Doornmalen, Rijk Zwaan’s co-owner, chairman of its supervisory board and a singer-songwriter on the side, is changing that. For van Doornmalen, music is more than a way to unwind after a day in the office — it’s his way of sharing knowledge and passion for the vegetable seed industry. 

Van Doornmalen’s album “Seed Songs” describes the positive atmosphere and feeling of togetherness that he says the seed industry delivers. Songs like “We are just seedsmen” explain what it’s like to work as a seedsman, as well as talking about the goals and challenges in the industry. The song was written by van Doornmalen and is his take on the famous Paul Simon song “The Boxer”. 

“With my songs, I want to capture feelings,” says van Doornmalen. “A feeling can remain in the songs forever.” 

During the 2024 World Seed Congress hosted by the International Seed Federation (ISF), van Doornmalen performed his song, aptly called “ISF”. Some might remember originally hearing the song at the 1996 World Seed Congress in Amsterdam. 

“For me, it was very special to perform at the ISF in front of so many longtime companions, competitors and friends,” he says.

Besides the new version of the song, Anton played “Passion in Seed”, originally composed for Hiroshi Sakata and the 100th anniversary of the Sakata Seed Corporation. 

“This reflects the good atmosphere in the vegetable seed industry,” he says.

One of Van Doornmalen’s newest songs is “We are One”, written to celebrate Rijk Zwaan’s 100th anniversary. The song connects all of Rijk Zwaan’s subsidiaries and is accompanied by the European Pop Orchestra, a symphony orchestra specializing in pop music.  

Van Doornmalen has released nine multi-lingual albums that include over 50 songs sung in Dutch, English and German. All of van Doornmalen’s music can be streamed on Spotify or found on YouTube. The “ISF” music video created for the 2024 ISF conference can be found here, and the song can be downloaded for free here. Under this link you can find additional information about van Doornmalen’s music. 

All of van Doornmalen’s concerts have a charitable purpose, supporting the foundation Sibusiso, which helps mentally and physically handicapped children in Tanzania. 

“With my performances, I can share these feelings to the audience — and I can do something good at the same time,” he says.

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At the recent meetings of the Prairie Grain Development Committee, Seed World Canada sat down with Howard Love, lead scientist for Mustard 21 in Saskatoon, to talk about his extensive history in the ag industry, where mustard is as a crop and where it’s going in the future.

The crop is hugely important to Canada, which is one of the world’s top exporters of mustard grain. Mustard 21’s primary goal is to ensure that mustard remains a competitive crop on the Prairies.

“Currently, the economics of mustard cultivation are in our favour. The price of mustard per pound makes it significantly more profitable than canola, especially when comparing the return per bushel. This difference in pricing structure underscores the financial appeal of mustard farming,” Love says.

Market dynamics, however, are not static.

Many producers see mustard as a viable alternative in various regions, Love notes in a wide-ranging conversation. Yet, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about crop rotations to mitigate the risk of volunteer canola intrusion. Mustard 21 is actively addressing these concerns to safeguard the long-term sustainability of mustard farming.

The post Howard Love and Mustard 21 are Working to Keep Mustard a Competitive Crop appeared first on Seed World.

Greg and Sarah Stamp of Stamp Seeds have been chosen as the 2023 winners of the Alberta/NWT Outstanding Young Farmers Program. Among four nominees, the dynamic couple secured the coveted title, recognized for their exceptional contributions to the agricultural industry. The prestigious event took place in conjunction with AgSmart in Olds, Alta. this week.

Stamp Seeds and Stamp Farms is a second-generation pedigreed seed farm and seed retailer based in Enchant. Working in tandem with Greg are his brothers, Nathan Stamp and Matthew Stamp, managing the operations of the farm. With a team of 19 full-time staff and an additional eight to nine seasonal or summer students, the Stamps cultivate 5,000 acres of irrigation and 2,000 acres of dryland, focusing on producing 95% of their crops for seed.

Recognizing Excellence in Young Farmers

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program seeks to celebrate and recognize young farmers who exemplify excellence in their profession. Eligible nominees must be farm operators aged between 18 and 39, deriving a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farm operations. The program holds seven regional recognition events annually, and from each region, one farming couple is selected to represent at the national recognition event.

The Judging Criteria

At the national event, the seven honorees undergo assessment by a panel of judges, who evaluate their achievements based on specific criteria. The evaluation includes assessing the progress made throughout their farming careers, the extent of their implementation of soil, water, and energy conservation practices, their crop and livestock production history, financial and management practices, and their contributions to the well-being of the community, province, and nation.

During AgSmart, Marc Zienkiewicz had the opportunity to catch up with Greg and Sarah Stamp to talk about the value of the program. Their story of perseverance, sustainability, and progress in the farming industry struck a chord with many attendees.

The couple highlighted the importance of sustainability, progress, and overcoming challenges in their farming journey. They spoke passionately about their on-farm practices and the timeline of their achievements. Reflecting on their experiences, the Stamps acknowledged the value of participating in the Outstanding Young Farmers Program.

The Stamps expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to share their story and the lessons they learned along the way. Engaging with other farmers and learning about the advancements and innovations in various sectors of agriculture left the couple inspired.

As farmers, one of the challenges lies in communicating the advancements and innovations within the agricultural industry to those outside the farming community, Greg said. The Stamps recognized the importance of bridging this communication gap and raising awareness about the evolving face of agriculture.

The post Greg and Sarah Stamp Selected as Outstanding Young Farmers for Alberta/NWT Region appeared first on Seed World.

Harsimar Gill is a 2023 National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Borlaug Scholar oiriginally from India. He sat down with Marc Zienkiewicz this week to chat about the value of the Borlaug Scholarship and the NAPB meeting itself.

He’s currently a PhD student at South Dakota State University, working in the winter wheat breeding program. Back in India, he pursued his Master’s in plant breeding and genetics, working on wheat populations resulting from crosses between winter wheat and spring wheat. Gill developed a passion for plant breeding during his undergraduate studies, which was sparked by a professor’s mentorship. His farming background also influenced his interest in agriculture.

His interest in plant breeding led him to apply for the Borlaug scholarship, which facilitates the attendance of young breeders at the annual meeting and pairs them with a mentor to help guide them in their research journey.

Gill says the NAPB conference exceeded his expectations due to its well-planned sessions and ample networking time, particularly appreciating the approachable and supportive community of plant breeders. He looks forward to staying involved in the organization and possibly joining a student or early career working group to contribute further.

The post Harsimar Gill Explains Why the NAPB Conference is Unique appeared first on Seed World.

Named after the renowned agricultural scientist and humanitarian, Dr. Norman Borlaug, the National Association of Plant Breeders’ Borlaug Scholarship program is a prestigious program that honors his remarkable contributions in saving countless lives from starvation through his revolutionary work in agriculture. For those fortunate enough to be a part of this scholarship, it is both an honor and an incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Marc Zienkiewicz sat down with Borlaug Scholar Boris Alladassi and his mentor Allen Van Deynze to talk about the value of the scholarship. Alladassi is a Ph.D. student in Plant Breeding with a Statistics minor at Iowa State University. He is currently working on two research projects under Dr. Jianming Yu. The first focuses on using UAV-based phenotyping, growth curve modeling, and GWAS to study the dynamics of sorghum plant height genetics across development.

The second involves the integration of genomic and transcriptomic analyses to dissect the genetic control of leaf angle across the canopy of maize.

As graduate students, the journey from academia to the job market can be challenging, and mistakes along the way are inevitable. However, with the guidance of experienced mentors who have already navigated this path, scholars can learn from their mentors’ experiences, avoid potential pitfalls, and increase their chances of success in their careers.

The program facilitates an ongoing conversation between scholars and mentors, keeping them updated on the latest technologies and best practices in plant breeding.

For instance, Boris is exploring the use of UAVs, machine learning, and AI to study crop canopies. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by providing crucial information for crop improvement, such as drought tolerance. However, Allen emphasizes that while embracing advanced technologies is essential, it is equally vital to know when and how to use them effectively for specific situations.

The post How Cowpeas and Aphids Led to a Career in Plant Breeding appeared first on Seed World.

Andrew Herr and Andrew Horgan are two former Borlaug Scholars who are attending this week’s meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders in Greenville, SC. Seed World Group senior editor Marc Zienkiewicz sat down with them to talk about why the scholarship was of value to them and what they’re up to today.

As an undergrad, Herr had the privilege of being selected as one of the first scholars in 2018, the first year of the program.

“Initially, I applied for this opportunity because I had developed a growing interest in plant breeding during my undergraduate studies. Some faculty members at Iowa State University, where I was studying, encouraged me to apply for the Borlaug scholarship, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen,” he said.

To be honest, he says he didn’t have a clear understanding of what the Borlaug scholarship entailed when I first applied. It seemed like an exciting prospect, but even the organizers themselves didn’t have all the details at that time. Nevertheless, participating in the program turned out to be a fantastic networking opportunity.

“During the conference for Borlaug scholars, held in 2018, I had the chance to meet my current advisor, Aaron Carter, from Washington State University,” Herr says.

This encounter was serendipitous, as it led to my eventual acceptance into graduate school and the discovery of some amazing programs. He’s incredibly grateful for being a Borlaug scholar that first year and for the significant role it played in shaping my academic journey.

Horgan, a scholar in 2022, first became aware of the Borlaug Scholarship through an advertisement he stumbled upon. Additionally, a couple of friends had previously been Borlaug scholars, and they spoke highly of the experience.

“They emphasized that it was a fantastic opportunity to establish valuable connections and benefit from the mentorship program,” he says. Intrigued by their positive feedback, he decided to seize the opportunity and apply for the scholarship.

Looking back, it has been an amazing journey since then. Being a Borlaug scholar has provided him with numerous benefits and opportunities.

“The connections I’ve made with fellow scholars and mentors have been invaluable. The mentorship program, in particular, has been immensely helpful in guiding me and providing support throughout my academic endeavors. “I can confidently say that participating in the Borlaug scholarship has been a truly enriching and rewarding experience.”

The post The 2 Andys Talks About the Value of the Borlaug Scholarship appeared first on Seed World.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine started on 24 February 2022, and will not be over anytime soon. Many would say it already started on 20 February 2014, which would make the conflict well over 9 years! Apart from atrocities such as killing, kidnapping, and raping innocent civilians, and rampant and wanton destruction and theft, also the agriculture and seed sector in the Ukraine are suffering massive damages.

Recently, European Seed received some shocking pictures of Sergiy Avramenko, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Chief Research Scientist at the Yuriev Institute since 2003.

Photo Source: Sergiy Avramenko

We reported already earlier about the destruction of the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine in May 2022. For that photo feature see The Devastation of Ukraine’s Yuriev Plant Production Institute

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