Mid-West Seed Services, Inc., seed testing laboratory, announces that it has been granted authorization to issue ISTA International Seed Analysis Certificates by decision of the ISTA Executive Committee of October 4, 2004. Authorized laboratories can issue ISTA Orange Certificates when the sample is officially drawn from the seed lot by an authorized sampler. Laboratory tests must be carried out under the authority of an ISTA-accredited member laboratory, and the procedure followed must identify the certificate with the seed lot.

Mid-West Seed Services, Inc. began providing sampler training in August 2004 and currently has trained 40 samplers from 23 seed companies who are eligible to be ISTA authorized samples The greatest interest in sampler training and testing seed according to ISTA rules comes from the vegetable seed industry. Sampler accreditation requires a one day training session followed by a written and practical examination. Participants in the sampler training have commented on how well these workshops have filled a need for training in proper sampling methods. The next sampler workshop is planned for Boise, Idaho, November 30 and December 1, 2004. Please visit www.mwseed.com/workshops.htm for more information on this workshop.

Mid-West Seed Services, Inc. has been an ISTA member laboratory since 1999 and became an ISTA accredited laboratory in 2003.