Spring Seed Workshop Goes on the Road to Mexico City

AMSAC Seed Conditioning Workshop in Mexico CityAmes, IA – The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) provides educational opportunities all over the world.  During the first week of May 2019, 23 seed professionals attended the Seed Corn Conditioning Workshop in Mexico City taught by Alan Gaul, SSC Seed Conditioning Specialist.

“Attendees represented seed corn companies operating in Mexico, with operations ranging from small family owned companies to multi-national firms,” Gaul said. “The group included a fairly broad range of experienced individuals with different perspectives on seed conditioning.”

The workshop was sponsored by Asociaciòn Mexicana De Semilleros (AMSAC) a seed association based in Mexico City. The organization is smaller, but roughly equivalent to the American Seed Trade Association. AMSAC sponsored the program and held the classroom sessions at their offices in Mexico City during the first four days.  The fifth day involved a trip to the Aspros Seeds facility near Toluca, Mexico for some equipment demonstrations and additional discussion.

“Offering the program in Mexico permitted individuals to attend that might not be able to travel to Iowa,” Gaul said. “We covered many topics of interest for the group and the lively discussion helped provide a better learning experience.” 

Topics covered were very similar to those included with the SSC traditional summer seed corn workshops.  For more information on workshops listed below visit seeds.iastate.edu/training-workshops.

Color Sorting

JUNE 3-4, 2019: SATAKE ScanMaster II JUNE 5-6, 2019: SATAKE Evolution JUNE 11-12, 2019: Buhler SORTEX Offers “brand specific” advanced hands-on training on the color sorting of corn and soybean seed. Company representatives available on site. Additional coverage of advanced optical sorting and sample analysis.

Specialty Seed Conditioning

JUNE 18-20, 2019 Focuses on conditioning small lots of unusual or high-value products such as vegetable, flower, tree, or grass seed. Early registration is strongly advised.

Seed Corn Conditioning

JUNE 24-27, 2019 AUGUST 5-8, 2019 Highlights seed corn conditioning methods for lot sizes typical of larger foundation and commercial seed production. Includes operations from ear corn drying through sizing and warehousing.

Soybeans and Small Grain Seed Conditioning

JULY 8-11, 2019 JULY 22-25, 2019 Covers general operations required for conditioning soybean seed. Additional information provided on edible beans, small grains, sunflowers, and other crops. Includes operations from bulk storage and handling through packaging.

Seed Treatment Workshop

JULY 17-18, 2019 Provides current, in-depth information on seed treatment products, seed pests and pathogens, chemical stewardship, application equipment, and calibration procedures. Includes indoor equipment displays, presentations from company representatives, and multiple concurrent sessions.