Manhattan, Kansas
July 17, 2009
Many have been feeling the crunch
of the economy, which has farmers rethinking their business
choices. For wheat growers, this means deciding whether to save
seed for next year or buy new.
While saving seed may help cut initial costs, hidden risks exist
that could hurt a farmer's yield in the future.
Consideration has to be given to the viability of saved seed.
Damage to seed can occur in the field, during transportation,
and during storage. It is wise to have saved seed tested after
harvest and again before planting to ensure germination.
Although saved seed may be viable, farmers have to make sure it
is legal.
The Plant Variety Protection Act allows farmers to plant seed
that has been saved. However, this is only legal if the original
crop was legally purchased. In the case of certified seed, the
farmer must ensure his purchase was accompanied with a blue
label. This label, found on the bag, invoice, or bulk sales
certificate, verifies the transaction is legal. If the farmer
doesn't get a blue label, the sale might be illegal.
Many seed companies have started exercising their right to
pursue retailers that sale seed illegally. They also can pursue
the purchasers of illegal seed and request that they destroy the
fields they have planted with this seed. Farmers have to
remember that a lot of time and money goes into certified seed
to create new disease and insect resistance, and improve
characteristics like yield.
When planting patented seed, such as Clearfield wheat, it might
be illegal for farmers to save seed for the next year. Some
patented seed comes with a contract that specifically states the
farmer cannot save back seed. Be aware of these stipulations to
avoid problems down the line.
To assist growers in purchasing decisions,
K-State Extension and Kansas
Crop Improvement Association have collaborated on the Kansas
Wheat Book. This publication, distributed by High Plains Journal
in August, provides wheat performance tests conducted by K-State
in various counties across Kansas.
The second half of the book lists growers, retailers, and
conditioners that meet the KCIA standards for certified seed.
For more information on certified seed visit
www.kscrop.org. |
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