News Releases

Jul 11, 2008
Manhattan, KS

Hoxie Producer Settles PVP Case for $25,000

A Kansas wheat producer found out recently that violating intellectual property rights is serious business. Bill Spillman of Hoxie was found to be violating the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) by illegally selling Jagalene wheat for seed. The producer settled his case for $25,000 with the developer of the variety, AgriPro, a division of Syngenta Seeds Inc.

 Selling protected wheat varieties as seed is illegal. In wheat country, this theft is known as “brown-bagging.” Federal law states that protected varieties may only be sold as a class of certified seed by authorized seed growers and dealers. In the Hoxie case, the producer had neither permission to sell the seed nor certification of that seed.

 Selling grain for seed is not only a violation of federal law, it also takes investment away from wheat variety development. AgriPro’s wheat research directly benefits wheat growers through the introduction of varieties with better yields, improved disease resistance, and advancements in technology. This research also benefits consumers and the entire wheat industry with better end-use quality. The royalties that wheat producers pay when buying certified seed fund this research. Brown-baggers and those who buy brown-bagged seed are getting a free ride at wheat producers’ expense.

 In order for a company or university to invest millions of dollars in wheat research, it must be able to protect its property rights. “We take an aggressive stand against this practice by dedicating efforts and funding to prevent this theft,” said Greg McCormack, Regional Manager for AgriPro. “Our aggressive stand helps keep investment flowing into wheat research.”

Wheat producers should keep PVP in mind as they complete harvest and begin preparing for next year’s wheat crop. The law allows producers to grow and keep seed of protected varieties for use on their own farms. It does not allow for growers to sell or trade that seed. The law allows prosecution of all parties involved in the transaction: the seller, the buyer, the seed cleaner and any other parties.

 This fall as wheat producers line up their seed supplies, it is best and safest to buy certified seed and to decline participation in any illegal activities involving “non-certified” seed.

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Jul 10, 2008
Champaign, IL

Illinois Crop Improvement Association 
Confirms DuPont Ethanol Calibration System

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Jul 10, 2008
Champaign, IL

Monsanto and Illinois Crop Introgression Relationship

A wanted to make you aware of an important relationship recently initiated between Monsanto Company and the Illinois Crop Improvement Association (ICIA). ICIA’s trait introgression services will facilitate access to the stacked combination of Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ and dicamba-tolerant soybean technologies to licensees authorized by Monsanto. This provides the licensees with broader and faster access to new Monsanto soybean trait technologies while maintaining full regulatory compliance and comprehensive stewardship. By allowing ICIA to provide centralized trait introgression services to authorized licensees, Monsanto can effectively support its commitment to continued stewardship and containment of regulated material, while allowing licensees the flexibility to incorporate new traits at a pace more suitable to their business objectives. This opportunity will allow licensees more options and time to develop superior varieties for farmers faster than before.  

Kristin Schneider, PhD
Monsanto Agronomic Trait Project Lead, Oilseeds Crop Team

 “We’re excited to be working with ICIA because this situation provides real benefits across all channels. This is good for licensees because it gives them access to the technology earlier and allows ICIA and Monsanto to effectively manage stewardship of regulated material. At the same time, farmers will benefit from this earlier access because licensees will have more time to develop enhanced soybean germplasm options containing cutting-edge technology. “

Dennis Thompson, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Crop Improvement

“ICIA has 22 years of experience in providing specialized seed research and development services to the global seed industry at our winter farm in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. This, coupled with a successful history of managing multiple technologies for soybean, corn and cotton, uniquely positions ICIA to support Monsanto licensees by providing technical field services delivered in compliance with Monsanto stewardship expectations.”

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Jun 17, 2008
Lafayette, IN

Indiana Crop Improvement Association, Inc. 
Adds PhD to Genetics Lab staff

We are pleased to announce Dr. Ainong Shi has been hired as our new Genetics Lab Supervisor to replace Dr. Huabang Chen who recently left to return to China. Dr. Shi currently is a post-doctorial associate at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University working primarily with SNP technology. Shi has experience in plant breeding & genetics, molecular genetics, and cutting edge genetic testing. He received his PhD in Crop Science and Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. While in a post-doctorial position in Washington, he acquired a Master's Degree in Computer Science and also has a Master’s Degree in Plant Genetics and Breeding.

Dr. Shi's expertise and experience will allow us to continue with all of our current testing programs and industry projects, as well as move forward in some areas where he has expertise that we previously did not have on staff. Liz Pestow, ICIA Marketing Director adds, "We are encouraged that Dr. Shi’s presence will contribute additional problem solving strength for our customers in their efforts in plant breeding and genetic markers."

It is expected that Dr. Shi, will be an active member of ICIA Genetics Lab staff in July. "In addition to his experience in the latest DNA diagnostic techniques; Ainong has extensive experience in both plant breeding and genetics," notes Dr. Richard Vierling, ICIA Genetics Lab Director.

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May 7, 2008
Manhattan, KS

Wheat Alliance to Explain New License Agreement

Beginning in the fall of 2008, anyone producing the wheat varieties Jagger, Overley, Fuller, RonL, and Danby for sale as seed will need to complete a license agreement with the Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA).  This change in the variety marketing system will also include a royalty on each sale, beginning in 2009. Kansas State University Research and Extension has signed a material transfer agreement with Kansas State University Research Foundation for these varieties, and an agreement was subsequently signed with KWA to develop a marketing plan for them. 

Three opportunities are available for wheat farmers and seed producers to learn about KWA’s marketing plan for the five K-State wheat varieties affected by this agreement. 

The first opportunity to learn about this new system is May 20 at the South Central Kansas Experiment Field near Hutchinson.  The Spring Field Day begins at 8 a.m. with a Wheat Variety and Disease Update from KSU wheat breeder Allan Fritz and plant pathologist Erick DeWolf.    Several crop management presentations will follow.  At approximately 10 a.m. there will be a presentation about the Kansas Wheat Alliance and explanation of the variety license agreement. 

On May 21, Wheat Day will be held at the KSU Hays Research Center.  A presentation will be made at 1 p.m., followed by the variety plot tour with wheat breeder Joe Martin at 3:30.  Following the plot tour will be a presentation about the Kansas Wheat Alliance and the license agreement. 

The third presentation is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 22 at the KSU Agronomy Farm, Ashland Research Unit, south of Manhattan.  Allan Fritz will give a tour of the wheat nursery and discuss the focus of his breeding program, followed by a presentation about KWA and the license agreement.  

Daryl Strouts, executive director, will be making the presentations for KWA and explaining the license agreement.  For additional information, contact the KWA office at 785-477-3400 or e-mail kwa@kansas.net. 

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For more information about this news release, please contact 

Alana McGough
   Kansas Wheat Alliance
   apkcia@kansas.net 
   785-532-6118

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May 1, 2008
Manhattan, KS

Kansas Wheat Alliance Signs Agreement with KCIA

 The Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA), the newly formed organization for delivery of K-State wheat varieties, has announced that it will contract with the Kansas Crop Improvement Association (KCIA) for temporary management of its administrative functions.

 KCIA is a non-profit membership organization that includes wheat farmers, certified seed producers, wheat researchers and others with a stake in the wheat industry.  KWA Chairman Forrest Chumley said the temporary management agreement will be an efficient start-up measure for the organization. 

 “This agreement helps us achieve our mission in an economical way,” Chumley said. “The people in KCIA who are involved have tremendous relevant expertise in the wheat industry, and knowledge of our customer base.”

 KCIA will handle KWA’s administrative, bookkeeping, and promotional activities until the new organization is equipped to hire an executive of its own. KCIA personnel involved in certification activities will be excluded from KWA business in order to avoid conflicts of interest.

 KCIA President Tim Oborny, Bison, Kan., sees the temporary agreement as illustrative of the effort that seed producers are willing to put forth for the success of a wheat variety release mechanism in Kansas.

 “KCIA recognizes the Kansas Wheat Alliance as an important priority for its members,” Oborny said. “I think our agreement with KWA shows how dedicated we are to the success of this venture.” 

The Kansas Wheat Alliance was formed in June 2007 by six organizations in the wheat and seed industries, in partnership with Kansas State University, in order to promote stewardship of traits and varieties and ensure the delivery of improved wheat varieties for farmers and consumers. KWA will have the first option to commercialize all future K-State-developed wheat varieties. The existing varieties Jagger, Overley, Danby, RonL, and Fuller have been licensed by KWA. Through the Kansas Wheat Research and Education Fund, royalties on sales of these varieties will be invested into wheat education and research, leading to the development of new, improved varieties.

 “This organization will allow us to make farmer-preferred traits available through new wheat varieties, but it will also benefit the end user with higher quality wheat,” Chumley said. “KWA is an important thing for everybody who cares about wheat in Kansas.”

 For information on KWA membership options, contact Executive Director Daryl Strouts at 785-477-3400 or kwa@kansas.net.

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 For more information about this press release, please contact

 Alana McGough
    KCIA Membership Services Specialist
    apkcia@kansas.net
    (785) 532-6118

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