Alberta Seed Processors are heading up a program aimed to encourage growers to use the best seed possible to target successful crop production.
Although many growers are currently getting seed tested for germination and fusarium, there are seed tests available such as 1000 Kernel Weight (TKW), fungal scans and vigor testing that unlock more information regarding seed health. Even more surprising, there are still acres that get planted without the seed being tested at all.
We believe that seed testing is a crop input that has massive payback in the crop production chain of events. Using the knowledge of quality seed, coupled with professional processing, the recipe for successful crop production is now in motion.
Often, crop inputs that have relatively low price tags, such as cleaning & testing, do not get the attention they deserve in crop production management plans. This program is designed to encourage growers to use a seed test as a piece of vital information required to grow a successful crop.
In some cases, a grower may find that the crop that he planned on using for his farm saved seed source does not meet quality standards. Subsequently, that grower should then purchase new pedigreed seed. Seed test information is typically available when pedigreed seed is purchased: this information is vital to crop production planning.
The Alberta Seed Processors are working with our Industry partners to get the word out that seed testing is just “smart”. BioVision Seed Labs, Seed Check Technologies, and 20/20 Seed Labs are working with the Alberta Seed Processors in offering the latest seed testing services with various pricing and packages to fit all growers. Alberta seed processors encourage all farmers to be “Seed Smart”, by knowing as much about the quality of their planting seed as possible: regardless if it is farm-saved or pedigreed seed. Farmers can contact their local seed cleaning plant to submit a sample.
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