Seed Industry Updates
Brand and Variety
Use of the terms Brand and Variety Ernest Allen from the USDA’s Seed Regulatory and Testing Division (SRTD) gave an update on efforts to review the use of brand and variety names on seed company websites during the 2024 ASTA Turf, Forage, and Conservation Seed meeting on October 29, 2024. With no major issues identified, […]
Price Change Announcement
Laboratory Pricing Thank you to all of our loyal Illinois Crop Improvement Customers. Your trust and support is greatly appreciated. Revised price lists are now available at the links provided in this email. It has been two years since our last general price increase. Testing seed is a hands-on business, and lower participation rates in […]
Assessment Fees 2024
The following are Illinois Crop’s OECD assessment rates beginning July 1 2024: Corn 0.50/cwt Soybeans 0.40/cwt Sorghum 0.40/cwt Sunflowers 0.40/cwt Canola 0.40/cwt If you have any questions regarding this assessment, please contact our office at 217-359-4053.
Assessment Fees
The following are Illinois Crop’s OECD assessment rates: Corn 0.40/cwt Soybeans 0.30/cwt Sorghum 0.30/cwt Sunflowers 0.30/cwt Canola 0.30/cwt If you have any questions regarding this assessment, please contact our office at 217-359-4053. Last updated 7/27/2023.
Tag Pricing Increase
As we all know, prices on supplies and material are increasing day by day. Over the years we have tried to keep our tag printing services at a fair and consistent price. However, because of the increase in our paper costs, we will be increasing the cost of an AOSCA tag to 25¢ per tag […]
Measurement Uncertainty
Measurement Uncertainty is a parameter associated with a test result and is best described as the dispersion of values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurand (a measurand is a quantity, property, or condition which is measured). As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory Illinois Crop Improvement must evaluate and properly communicate the uncertainty of […]
Seed Directories
Our seed directories, for spring and fall seeded crops, can be found on our Seed Certification page. The directories list seed producers, approved conditioners and associate members in addition to the traditional variety descriptions, PVP information and acres produced. Visit Illinois Crop Improvement’s Seed Certification page for more information.
Laboratory Price Increases – Saving Money on Testing
Beginning July 15th, 2022, the fees associated with all testing activities will increase 10-20%, depending on the test. As business costs continue to rise, please remember that the best way to save money on testing is to grow the best quality seeds and grains possible. The Illinois Crop Improvement Association laboratories will always strive to […]
Voluntary Termination of CRP Contract
The ASTA’s Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee has shared with us a recent announcement from USDA to allow producers to request voluntary termination of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts. For more information visit USDA to Allow Producers to Request Voluntary Termination of Conservation Reserve Program Contract | NRCS (5/27/2022)
2022 Phytosanitary Notes
ASTA has developed a Pest Database for Seeds (PeDS) which “currently contains technical/scientific information on over 400 pests of phytosanitary concern to ASTA members that have impacted the international movement of seed.” The searchable database is available at http://phytodatabase.org/. Illinois Crop Improvement would like to remind customers and stakeholders that its field phytosanitary inspection training […]
USDA Seeking Comment
Competition in Seed – The USDA is seeking public comment to identify anti-competitive market structures and practices in critical components of the agriculture sector, including seed. The comment period will close on May 16th, 2022. Please visit the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service website for more information or to submit comments.
Illinois Oat Varieties
Oat varieties released from the University of Illinois program may be used in cover crop mixtures with the following conditions: The PVP Title V variety that is used in the mixture must be Certified seed and must be certified by an official seed certification agency. The variety that is used in the mixture must be […]
Cover Crop Permission Letter
The South Dakota State University allows the use of PVP Title V varieties in cover crop blends. The Plant Variety Protection Act states the following: “Title V −SALE OF UNCERTIFIED SEED OF PROTECTED VARIETY Sec. 501. It shall be unlawful in the United States or in interstate or foreign commerce to sell or offer for […]
OECD South American Seed Multiplication Requests
Below are examples of requests that the US OECD Program Manager has received from South American OECD Designated Authorities to facilitate a smooth transition into their countries and for shipping to approved locations after the multiplication. Male and female lines to be used in hybrid multiplication requests, need to be indicated on Table 2 or […]
Laws, Regulations & Other Considerations when Buying Seed
State and federal seed laws are in place for the benefit of the grower and the producer. It is imperative that consumers get the quality and type of seed they desire, and that the seed will grow and produce their expected result. Seed production is complicated and requires extensive education and experience. Professional seed producers […]
Proposed Revisions to Biotechnology Regulations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing proposed revisions to its biotechnology regulations in a notice that will publish in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017. This would be the first comprehensive revision of the regulations since they were established in 1987. APHIS is proposing a […]
ASTA; Chile Phytosanitary Issues Successfully Resolved
Alexandria, VA (Nov. 30) — In March and August of this year an international delegation led by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) met with the Chilean National Plant Protection Office (SAG) to discuss several proposed phytosanitary measures that could have negatively impacted seed trade with Chile for vegetable, corn and wheat seed. Since that […]
Specialty Soybean Calculator
The U.S.-soy-industry-led board QUALISOY has developed a calculator that can help farmers determine how much profit they can add by growing identity-preserved (IP) soybeans, including high oleic varieties. The calculator, available at soyinnovation.com, also gives a quick look into the limited costs associated with growing IP or high oleic soybeans. ISA also funds soybeanpremiums.org to assist farmers […]
Organic Seed Finder
The Organic Seed Finder website, hosted by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), allows organic seed vendors and potential customers a better means of connecting than spending hours sifting through search engine results and paid advertising. Visit the Organic Seed Finder at www.organicseedfinder.org.
Recent Crop Additions for AOSCA Seed Certification Standards
The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) recently approved seed certification standards for the following crops. A hemp standard was adopted to ensure uniformity in seed and seed production for some limited research and production of industrial hemp. A radish standard has been approved in response to the popularity of the radish as a […]
AACCI Molecular Markers Technical Committee and ILSI Brasil Host Workshop on Sampling and Detection For Seed Production
The AACC International Molecular Markers Technical Committee joined forces with ILSI Brasil May 20-21, 2014, to deliver a workshop in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on sampling and detection for seed production. Read the two page article from Cereal Foods World August, 2014 here.
New Poaceae Maximum Seed Lot Size Limit for OECD Seed Schemes
The proposal for maximum seed lot size for Poaceae was adopted during the 2014 annual OECD Seed Schemes meeting held in Zagreb, Croatia. The OECD Seed Schemes Secretariat is currently in the process of preparing a document for the Committee for Agriculture with all the amendments agreed at the Annual Meeting, including the changes for […]
2014-2015 GMO Rice Testing Rule Change Proposal in Arkansas
Arkansas GMO Rice testing regulations continue to evolve. The October 2014 Rice Certification Rule Change Proposal includes information regarding testing, lot information, validation reports, out of state documents and bulk transfers. A copy of the current regulations is available on the Plant Board web page (specifically pages 44-46) here. For more information contact Scott Bray, […]
2012 Proposed Rice Certification Rule Change
On December 5, 2012, the Arkansas State Plant Board updated the Regulations on Plant Diseases and Pests (Circular 11) section VIII. for the purpose of establishing the testing regulations on rice seed, for the presence of the LL601 trait, to be used for planting in 2013 and subsequent years. These are the same rules that existed […]
New Corn and Soybean Evaluation Rules
The AOSA/SCST annual meeting was held in Boise, ID, on May 19-24, 2013. At the AOSA Rules voting meeting, 3 out of the 18 proposals were for corn or soybeans. For corn, a rule proposal was to change the rule “leaf extending less than halfway up the coleoptile” from being abnormal to normal. This proposal […]
AOSCA Announces Organic Seed Finder
AOSCA has announced the formal launch of the AOSCA Organic Seed Finder website, the result of efforts that began over a year ago. To visit the website, go to www.organicseedfinder.org. The purpose of the Seed Finder website is to allow vendors of organic seed to post their available varieties in a central, on-line location where potential […]
New Canadian Rules For Blends (REFUGE IN THE BAG – RIB)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has amended the Seeds Regulations to provide greater consistency in how seed blends created to manage pests are graded, labelled and tagged. For more information go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Website www.inspection.gc.ca or follow this link.
U.S. OECD Seed Schemes
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes are rules used by 58 participating countries to certify and label seed for varietal purity for international movement. In the United States, varietal certification for the OECD Seed Schemes is carried out by state seed certifying agencies under Cooperative Agreements with the USDA Agricultural Marketing […]
Retailer’s Guide to Lawn Seed
The Retailer’s Guide to Lawn Seed was developed by the Lawn Seed Division of ASTA, in cooperation with the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO), to provide important information to retailers on the proper handling and storage of grass seed products. Lawn seed is a product that is highly regulated by state agencies. This […]
Re-Export of Seed Grown in Puerto Rico
In 2008 the industry learned that Puerto Rico Department of Ag phytosanitary certificates were not valid for re-exporting seed produced on the island from US locations. Seed shipped from PR under a PRDA-only phyto was essentially stuck in the US. During this time Illinois Crop worked closely with Mike Ward, NSHS Senior Accreditation Programs Manager, […]
Regulatory Requirements Associated with the Treatment of Seeds
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License with a Seed Treatment Category ($60 per year applicator license, $40 per year operator license) Individuals who purchase, use, or supervise the use of pesticides classified for General or Restricted Use for hire are required to hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Also, individuals making pesticide applications to seeds need the […]
Storage and Handling Containment System (Agrichemical Facility Containment Permit)
If bulk pesticides are stored in a single container in excess of 300 gallons of liquid pesticide or 300 pounds of dry pesticide for more than 30 days per year, or if more than 300 gallons of liquid pesticide or 300 pounds of dry pesticide are being mixed, repackaged, or transferred from one container to another […]
Illinois Seed Permit – Retail Seed Dealer Permit
$10.00 – Application can be found on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website (Forms and Applications page) www.agr.state.il.us/Forms/index.html. Questions regarding the Illinois Seed Permit – Retail Seed Dealer Permit should be directed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Products Inspection at 217-782-3817.
Seed Treatment Label
Section on labeling treated seed in the Illinois Seed Law can be found on the IL Department of Agriculture website (New and Legislation page under Laws and Legislation) www.agr.state.il.us/Laws/index.html. Questions regarding Seed Treatment Label should be directed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Products Inspection at 217-782-3817.
Assessment Fees
The following are Illinois Crop’s OECD assessment rates: Corn 0.30/cwt Soybeans 0.20/cwt Sorghum 0.20/cwt Sunflowers 0.20/cwt If you have any questions regarding this assessment, please contact our office at 217-359-4053. Last updated 4/10/2012.
Introducing New Varieties
The IL Crop Handbook of Seed Certification outlines all of the options for the introduction of new varieties. One option is the National Variety Review Board or NVRB system. Applications and deadlines for crops with a NVRB are posted on the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies web site, www.aosca.org. The following NVRB links can be used to access detailed […]