post conference highlights

Attendance was up, speakers were excellent, and the Super Bowl Party was as much fun as any the association has ever hosted. If you missed it we're sorry but you can put it on your calendar for February 9-10, 2025.

Chad Kriegshauser received the coveted "Past President" pin and a plaque expressing our sincere appreciation for his long board, and executive committee, tenure. Thank you Chad! Chad represented at least the second brother act as TSTA president as his brother Coby is also a past association president. (Dale and Chris Wimmer were our previous "brother act" presidents.)

Brett Bamert was elected President of the Texas Seed Trade Association and will lead us through the next year including a Texas legislative session. Brett has served on the board of directors for four years and it is great to have Brett on-board as President! Brett is the son of Nick Bamert who also served as TSTA President.

Drew Morano, TriCal Superior Forages, was voted the new TSTA Vice President. Drew has served on the board of directors for three years and we're delighted to have Drew on the executive committee.

Kyle Reinart from Richardson Seed was elected to the board of directors. We are likewise delighted to have Kyle on the board and look forward to his perspective.

We were gratified to see Luke Turner attend the board meeting Tuesday morning! Luke moves off the board and executive committee as the most recent past president. Luke's contributions have been outstanding and important and we are very happy he plans to stay engaged.

We raised almost nine thousand dollars for the TSTA Foundation Scholarship Fund! This represents a significant increase over last year and we are sincerely appreciate the generosity of our members and attendees. And a special thank-you to all who brought auction items and to those who purchased raffle tickets!

And for those attending; don't you wish all state legislators were as relaxed and down-to-earth as Senator Pete Flores?! What a great member and what a great friend to agriculture.

We will be informing you about the decisions and strategic direction planned by the board, and the membership at our business meeting, in future Weekly Updates so please stay tuned!

And another very big thank you to our conference sponsors!

PHOTOS

Outgoing Texas Seed Trade Association President, Chad Kriegshauser (right) receives a token of the association's gratitude for his service over the past year. Chad moves into the Past President position and will be a member of the executive committee for another year. TSTA Executive V.P. Bryan Gentsch presented the plaque.


Brett Bamert was elected President of the Texas Seed Trade Association earlier this week. Brett is seen here visiting with Texas State Senator Pete Flores who was our conference keynote speaker.


Mackenzie Mattern from SoDak Labs provided info on seed testing services available from SoDak, a TSTA-Member seed lab.

The fire pit at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Hotel has proved a popular place to unwind following the President & First Lady's Reception and Dinner. This year was no exception.

Conference DETAILS

Horseshoe Bay Resort 200 Hi Cir N
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
For directions - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7aGWJqHSJkzBE3Wr6

SUNDAY FEB 11 ACTIVITIES

* 230pm Registration, Ballroom Foyer
Silent Auction Items welcome
* 3pm TSTA Foundation Scholarship Cornhole Tournament, Popcorn Bar
Ballroom, $100 entry, Donation to TSTA Foundation
* 4-10pm Super Bowl Party & Buffet, Ballroom
* Golf on your own - www.hsbresort.com/golf

TSTA Foundation

The TSTA Foundation furnishes 13 annual college scholarships to deserving Texas students that might otherwise have difficulty getting the education they need.  Seven of our scholarships are either fully endowed, or on their way to being fully endowed, and six are funded through annual gifts from the TSTA Foundation to our flagship universities. The TSTA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

POLICY & MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Monday Feb 12
7-8am Continental Breakfast, Travertine Room
8am – 12pm  General Session, Travertine Room
* Welcome, Dr. Bryan J Gentsch
* Election of TSTA Officers & Board Members
* State of the Association - Pat Miller, Federal Seed Regulation Update & State to State Legislation
* American Seed Trade Association, Dr. Paul De Laune, Cover Crops - Texas Applicability

12noon – 1pm Membership Lunch, Post Oak Room
Special Guest: The Honorable Pete Flores

1:15pm – 5pm General Session, Travertine Room
* Keynote Speaker Senator Pete Flores
* Dr. Rick Vierling, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas Foundation Seed Service, Update on Facilities/Programs
* Katrina Horn, Texas A&M AgriLife, Research Crop Testing Program Servicing Seed Companies
* Jeb Owen, Texas Dept. of Agriculture, Certified Seed Winter Growouts Update & Future
* Jeff Claxton, Texas Dept. of Agriculture, Group Discussion, Topic: Variety Not State Small Grains Sales

6pm President’s Reception

7-10pm President & First Lady’s Dinner, Yacht Club Ballroom, Resort Shuttle Available
* Includes TSTA Foundation Scholarship Auction
Members, please bring an auction item

Tuesday Feb 13
7am – 12pm TSTA Board of Directors Meeting and Breakfast, Hickory Room, Open to any TSTA member in good standing

SPEAKERS

Senator Pete Flores will be with us on Monday as our special guest and speaker. Senator Flores has been a strong supporter of the Texas seed trade and will share his thoughts with us concerning Texas' future.

Dr. Paul De Laune from Texas AgriLife, will share his thoughts and research findings on applicability of cover crops in Texas agriculture. Cover crops are, finally, beginning to grab attention in Texas and may represent an opportunity for additional seed sales. How do they work in relatively dry agro-ecosystems? Come and listen to Dr. De Laune and bring your questions.

Katrina Horn will provide an overview of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Crop Testing Program and its fit with seed companies.

Jeff Claxton from the Texas Department of Agriculture will lead a discussion on "variety not stated" small grain sales in Texas. TDA is a critical partner in combating VNS seed sales and we've got to find a way to all work together on this issue. Please come prepared to share your thoughts on this important topic.

Dr. Rick Vierling from Texas AgriLife Research, will provide an update on the Texas Foundation Seed Service facilities and programs. Rick plays a key role in our battle against VNS seed sales in Texas as well as administrate Foundation Seeds.

Jeb Owen from the Texas Department of Agriculture, will provide an update on the certified seed winter growouts by location and share his thoughts on their future.

Pat Miller from American Seed Trade Association, will be with us to provide an update on ASTA activities, what's going on in other states that may find its way to Texas and the ongoing regulatory struggles with treated seed.