Name: Greg Ruehle
Title: CEO, Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) since
2005, Omaha, NE
Career: National Cattlemen's Association, Nebraska Cattlemen
Association, American Shorthorn Association
Education: B.S. in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University
AM: What are IPSA's major activities?
GR: IPSA was formed in 1989 to provide representation for
independently owned and controlled seed companies with genetic (and
later trait) providers and through cooperative research efforts. Since
that time, IPSA has added educational programming in various business
elements, and utilizes numerous formats to deliver educational tools,
including Webinars and other electronic mediums.
AM: How many companies belong? What are its membership
requirements?
GR: IPSA has three classes of membership: Regular (seed company)
members, Associate members and a new Affiliate membership category. The
yearly dues run from June through May, and the costs for seed company
memberships range from $1,000 to $2,500 based on the company's
annual sales. Regular members must be closely-held seed production
and/or retail sales businesses which are not subsidiaries of
publicly-held corporations. All board and officer positions for IPSA are
limited to Regular members.
Associate memberships are available to individuals and companies
whose activities relate or contribute to the activities of Regular
members. Associates pay an annual fee of $750.
A new affiliate membership category was added this year for those
associations or agencies whose interests directly relate to the
activities and purposes of IPSA, but who do not qualify for regular or
associate membership. Affiliate member annual dues are $250.
AM: What initiatives does IPSA have?
GR: IPSA has just completed a biennial strategic planning process,
where association and industry leaders met to review and bring clarity
to IPSA's strategic plan The revised strategic plan focuses in
IPSA's key functional areas: membership, business development,
education and research. Special attention is given to the
association's annual conference, scheduled for January, which is
deemed by many to be the group's hallmark undertaking each year.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
IPSA has worked independently and with other industry partners over
the past several years to develop software and other technology tools to
meet the needs of seed companies. These tools range from inventory
management and sales forecasting tools to efforts that mechanize the
data collection and review required under licensing agreements with
various genetic and trait providers.
In late 2008, IPSA began a larger effort that would tie these
various programs together in a more seamless software program for seed
companies, and fill a void that exists for seed companies of all sizes.
AM: How can independently-owned seed companies successfully compete
with the multi-nationals?
GR: Tremendous challenges exist for seed companies of all sizes,
ranging from product obsolescence to access to genetic and trait
platforms to competition for employee talent and beyond.
Based on quantitative and qualitative research data, IPSA believes
there is an advantage that independent regional seed companies have over
national or international brands. With access to several competing
genetic and trait platforms under broad licensing agreements, regional
seed companies can independently evaluate input options and build the
seed product offering that best meets the needs of their customers
rather than being tied to a single platform like national brands and
those seed companies who have been sold to trait and genetic providers.
AM: How does the seed business future look?
GR: The evolution of new genetics and biotech traits can cause seed
to become obsolete in a relatively short period of time, and at
tremendous cost to seed companies. Seed companies must remain diligent
in assuring that their product mix includes those inputs that are in
demand by their customers and potential customers.
Another challenge relates to the fact that seed companies compete
in the marketplace with many of the same companies who supply them with
genetic and trait inputs. While this gives regional seed companies
access to a variety of products, it also makes the marketplace among the
most competitive in the world.
AM: Anything else you think the industry would find of interest.
GR: Independent regional seed companies continue to develop and
offer seed solutions that are relevant to their customer base, and have
the benefit of access to a number of high-performing genetic and trait
platforms. These companies produce seed for your farm, not just for your
area code.
IPSA will remain a strong voice for these independent seed
companies, and continue to provide strong educational programming with
content relevant to maintaining a strong business climate for these
companies.
If you are interested in learning more about IPSA, or in finding an
independent seed company near you, please visit our Web site at
www.independentseeds.com.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Servingindependentseedcompanies.-a0198995328
3phuketsail Community Member 
|
|
