Welcome News for Science-Based Regulation of Plant Breeding Innovations
By Elizabeth Westendorf, USW Assistant Director of Policy A recent decision by Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency is a great step forward for innovative breeding methods that can help farmers address some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The agency announced that Japan’s government will not require special labeling for products derived from plant breeding innovation, […]
Expanding Wheat Breeding Resources for Better End-Use Quality, Disease Resistance
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) reports that an international team of scientists has identified significant new chromosomal regions for wheat yield and disease resistance and created a freely-available collection of genetic information and markers for more than 40,000 wheat lines. Reported recently in Nature Genetics, CIMMYT says the results will speed up global […]
“Breeding for Better Wheat” Illustrates Innovations
Wheat is a staple of diets across the world. In fact, it is the source of about 20 percent of the calories consumed worldwide. Researchers at Kansas State University are using innovative methods like gene editing to breed wheat with added benefits, including lower gluten options that could one day allow people with gluten sensitivities […]
USDA Plan to Ease Biotech Regulations Splits Industry
By Philip Brasher, Executive Editor, Agri-Pulse Copyright © 2019, Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., Excerpted with Permission Crop developers say USDA’s effort to streamline its regulation of biotech crops will still slow the commercialization of many gene-edited products, but groups representing grain traders, food processors and restaurant chains are slamming the department’s proposal, claiming it could […]
K-State Researchers Find New Clues for Improving Wheat
Originally published by K-State Research and Extension; Reprinted with permission from the Kansas Wheat Commission A team of Kansas State University wheat scientists are tapping into 10,000 years of evolution in the plant’s genetic code as part of their continued efforts to understand how historic processes that shaped modern wheat can help to improve the […]
Decoded Durum Genome Opens Doors to Potential Improvements
In April, the results of a study by a consortium of researchers from seven countries was published in “Nature Genetics” describing the sequence of the entire genome of an Italian durum wheat variety called “Svevo.” Durum breeders suggest this is an important finding that will help speed development of new, improved varieties of the crop […]
The Benefits of U.S. Investment in Global Wheat Research Collaboration
By Elizabeth Westendorf, USW Assistant Director of Policy Seventy-five years ago, the seeds of the Green Revolution were planted when Norman Borlaug began his work on wheat breeding in Mexico. The success of that effort, which was a partnership between the Mexican government and the Rockefeller Foundation, led to the eventual founding of the International […]
Plant Breeding Innovation Benefits the Entire Wheat Supply Chain
By Elizabeth Westendorf, USW Assistant Director of Policy This week, Wageningan University —one of the top agricultural universities in the world, located in the Netherlands —issued a press release about their research on using gene editing to produce “gluten safe” wheat so that individuals with Celiac disease can enjoy wheat products. It is possible to […]
“Innovature” Opens Inclusive Discussion About Plant, Animal Breeding Innovation
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) have jointly developed “Innovature,” a new resource to encourage a thoughtful dialogue around innovation in food and agriculture and the tangible benefits for our planet, our health and our food. Through its Innovature.com website, social media and other activities, “Innovature” aims to […]
Latin American Holiday Traditions Help Inform Wheat Breeders
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and Director, West Coast Office In Latin America, the holidays are filled with special wheat food traditions. Mexicans celebrate the visit of the Three Kings to the Christ child with Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake Wreath), a ring-shaped sweet bread. In Peru, wheat consumption increases with Panettone bread sales. This […]