By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH
Indiana Correspondent

Omaha, Neb. — A new logo and marketing strategy for the Independent Professional Seed Assoc. (IPSA) are designed to better demonstrate what the organization has to offer, its president said last week.

Founded in 1989, IPSA is an organization of independent seed companies, most of which are family-owned businesses, said Bill Latham, IPSA president. Latham is also president of Latham Seed of Alexander, Iowa.

“We thought this was the right time to show that independent companies have more things to offer, more choices,” he said. “We have access to all the products from various seed companies, and we can independently evaluate what’s the best and market that for our customers. This helps keep competition in the marketplace.”
The association represents about 135 seed companies from the United States and Canada. It also has associate members, which includes major seed companies such as Monsanto, Pioneer and Syngenta, Latham said.

“This isn’t a war with Monsanto, Pioneer or Syngenta, as they have been very supportive,” he said. “But this is a way for us to hold our hands up and say we have a place in this market too.”

IPSA will make the new logo available to all member companies, and those will use it in their literature, field signs and websites.
“Our leadership recognized that we had an important story to tell about the advantages of working with an independent company,”  IPSA CEO Greg Ruehle said in a statement. “We are excited to work with our membership to spread the message as they continue to provide a high quality product to farmers.”

With increased competition between major seed companies and new products on the horizon, Latham said this is a good time for IPSA to become more visible.

“We’re trying to find a place in the marketplace,” he said. “It’s a good time to show we’re independent and impartial, and we provide choices.”