401. ASTA’s Andy LaVigne + Dave Treinen on starting with seed + supporting innovation, consumer health through policy

From domestic and global policy to the speed of innovation, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) works on behalf of the industry to promote research, development and movement of quality seed to meet the world’s demand for food, feed, fiber and beyond. This week, Beck’s Hybrids’ President, Scott Beck, hosts ASTA CEO, Andy LaVigne, and organization Chair, Dave Treinen, to talk about the organization’s pursuit to better connect innovation to consumers, new markets, policymakers and more. We get into:  

•  ASTA as one of the world’s oldest trade organizations and who they aim to serve 
• Where seed production finds itself in the mix of current challenges facing production agriculture and what is unique to them 
• The biggest regulatory discussions shaping the industry, both domestically and internationally 
• How domestic policy impacts the industry’s ability to do business internationally 
• The accelerated trend of food is health, the seed innovator’s role and how ASTA is tackling this with its partners across the value chain 
• How ASTA works to connect seed innovation to the consumer’s understanding of food production 
• Where ASTA sees the biggest opportunities to advance technologies through partnerships and collaborations 
• Big areas of focus for 2026 
• The call to action for seed distributors and innovators that want a seat at the table with ASTA, but don’t know how to get started