John Cowan of Blenheim, Ontario, has been elected President of the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) for 2005-2006.  His election occurred at CSTA’s 82^nd annual meeting, held recently in Victoria, British Columbia. 

John is the Manager of Thompsons Hyland Seed Division, with proprietary seed products marketed from coast to coast in Canada and across the northern tier of USA.  Hyland Seeds is a leading brand that conducts research, production and sales efforts in seed corn, soybeans, dry beans, winter wheat and spring grain, supplying producers with access to industry leading genetics.  Hyland Seeds - Thompsons has also been involved in Identity Preserved production contracts for many years.

Cowan has been active in the seed industry since 1976 and has been a director on the CSTA Board since 1999.  He joined the Hyland Seeds team in 1977 and became manager in 1998.   He has actively participated in several committees of the CSTA including the Corn, Soybean and Eastern Cereals Committee, the Biotech Committee, the Government Relations Committee and the Industry Alliances Committee. He is a past board member of the Ontario Agri Business Association. In addition to his responsibilities as president, John will chair the new CSTA External Relations Committee.

Headquartered in the nation’s capital, the CSTA represents the interests of 154 corporate members engaged in all aspects of seed research, production and marketing, both domestically and internationally.