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 Green line - jan/feb 2007
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Seed processing
NAK's seed laboratory (Holland) analyzes over 5,000 fodder seed samples to determine the percentage loss during seed processing, which in the specific case can reach more than 50%. It is an important service because seed companies make use of cooperators and pay according amount of undesirable material that must be removed from a particular seed lot. The evaluation of loss percentage by third parties causes the business to become transparent.
Accreditation
Matsuda, a company with expertise in tropical fodder seeds, has just received the visit of ISTA auditors for accrediting its seed analysis laboratory. The inspection was a success and, soon, the company will be able to issue the international certificate of seed analysis (orange certificate). It is the only Brazilian laboratory to be accredited soon. We hope others Brazilian laboratories will also follow such process.
Africa
Embrapa is setting an office (known as Labex) in Ghana (Africa) to take and bring science and technology to that region. For that, doctors Claudio Bragantini and Paulo Galerani were chosen as coordinators. Bragantini knows that region deeply, and has performed several consultations there involving the seed sector. Galerani, in turn, has large experience as deputy of Embrapa-Soybeans. SEED News wishes success to Embrapa activities in Ghana.
Uruguay
The program of Technological Value for soybeans adopted by URUPOV - Uruguay - must be highlighted. This program almost eliminates the problem of farm saved seeds, paying nothing to the variety obtainer. The farmer is visited by URUPOV staff for support and crop information, and when he buys seeds he signs a document in case he is willing to use them for himself and, even so, he will pay royalties to the plant breeder.
Improvement
ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) has just distributed the update of its International Rules for Seed Analysis to be followed from January 2007 on. Such process is essential for seed business since it standardizes quality evaluation, adding scientific advances.
Market share
Agroeste, a company focused on hybrid maize seeds, increased its market share in 2006 in two percentage points. According to its director, Neimar Brusamarelo, it is due to the company's portfolio with more options of high technology hybrids and technical assistance provided to the farmer. Success is taking the company to act also in Paraguay, since the country already has a significant area cultivated with maize.
Meeting
ISTA's executive committee had its last meeting at Emmeloord, Holland, place where the current ISTA's president works, before the seed congress in Brazil. More than 30 documents have been prepared for approval in the next ordinary meeting of the association, among them training program, language in the international certificate, elimination of the green certificate, Seed & Science Magazine in the web, author rights, and others.
Seed treatment
Syngenta's director for seed treatment for Latin America, Mr. André Oliveira, is happy with the expectations for seed treatment in the region. It seems they are following the Brazilian trend, in which most of the seeds are treated, being a percentage over 90% for soybeans.
Fodder species
Unipasto, an association leaded by Gutemberg Silveira, with 29 members, is launching Brachiaria brizantha c.v. BRS Piatã, developed in a partnership with Embrapa. The crop is in field, with seed availability estimated to April 2007 on. Getting organized is very important when looking for achieving big goals.
Royalties
MODIT, a system in which a fee close to 2.0% is charged over the RR soy beans produced in the country is in its third year in Paraguay. According to Enrique Molas, from the Ministry of Agriculture of Paraguay, the program is working fine: the owner company of the RR event retains 65% of the resources and the other part is shared among the members of soybeans chain. It causes institutions to have proper resources and to be able to plan with no need of asking resources to others.
Congress Registration
The Ista/Abrates congress registration for 2007 is well underway with over than 200 registrations up to the end of 2006. It is estimated that well over 1000 participants will attend this event. The first participant, outside Brazil, to register is Dr. Doris Dickson, from USA, and the country with more registrations is Australia.
Search for Professional
Dr. Bernard Le Buanec, executive secretary of ISF (International Seed Federation) has announced his retirement for end 2008, and with this, the entity has started the procedure for hiring someone to replace him. According to information from ISF, probably two professionals will be hired. Bernard Le Buanec work capabilities are well known.
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