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In the late 1890’s, Canada had very limited agricultural
research resources. The federal Experimental Farm system,
established in 1886, was an extension education and crop
evaluation facility without much capacity to improve crop
varieties. A handful of dedicated individuals in the federal
Department of Agriculture saw the need for improvement in
seed stocks that would lead to more profitable crops. As a
result, the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) was
established in 1904.
The CSGA is recognized by the federal Seeds Act and
Regulations as the official Canadian pedigreeing agency
responsible for prescribing varietal purity standards and
certifying seed crops of all agricultural crops, with the
exception of potatoes. The Association came into being in
1904, when both President and Secretary were officials from
the federal Department of Agriculture. It was not until 1923
that the first non-government employee took over as
Secretary, and not until 1925 was the office of President
filled by other than a federal government officer. In 1926,
the Association elected its first grower President.
The Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed
Seed Crop Production (Circular 6), as prepared by the
CSGA, represent the collective experience of federal,
university and provincial research and regulatory
specialists and representatives of the seed trade assisted
by the practical experience of seed growers.
Changes in methods and operations have taken place over
the years, but the aims and objectives of the CSGA – to
improve pedigreed seed production and usage – have not
changed. The co-regulatory relationship with the inspection
branch of the Department of Agriculture, now the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), has continued over the years
on a partnership basis. The CSGA also works closely with the
Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the
agricultural faculties of universities throughout the
country, provincial ministries of agriculture, the Canadian
Seed Institute (CSI), the Canadian Seed Trade Association
(CSTA), the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada
(CSAAC), the Association of Official Seed Certifying
Agencies (AOSCA), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes, and many other related
organizations.
The CSGA’s affairs are conducted by a President and a
24-member Board of Directors. Fourteen directors are active
growers elected by the general membership, and nine are
appointed by Provincial Ministers of Agriculture. The CSGA
is located in Ottawa under the supervision of the Executive
Director, who is also a director of the Association.
Provision is made for the formation of provincial or
regional organizations affiliated with the CSGA. These
provincial organizations are not authorized to issue crop
certificates or to act in any way as pedigreeing agencies.
They act as a liaison between seed growers and the national
Association, and conduct promotional and extension programs
on a provincial basis.
In 2006, the association had a membership of 4,076 seed
growers who produced 19,771 seed crops of 2,234 varieties of
55 crop kinds on 1,226,807 acres.
 The CSGA assures Breeder seed quality through its
Canadian Regulations and Procedures for the Production of
Breeder Seed Crops, which include requirements for
professional recognition of Breeders, audited Quality
Management Systems, and seed lot testing for compliance with
federal seed grade standards.
Most self-pollinated crops are pedigreed through five
classes: Breeder, Select, Foundation, Registered and
Certified. Most open-pollinated crops are pedigreed through
three classes: Breeder, Foundation and Certified.
Varietal purity is maintained by limits on generations or
multiplications as well as pedigreed classes, parent seed
pedigree verification, restrictions on previous land use,
isolation distance, impurities, seed crop inspections and
other regulations established by the CSGA. Perennial crops
are also subject to limits on the age of stand or number of
crops eligible for pedigreed status.
Breeder, Select, Foundation and Registered seed are
principally multiplication classes. Certified seed – the
terminal pedigreed class – is the seed recommended for
commercial crop production.
The pedigreeing of seed and seed crops ensures varietal
purity. This is especially important to maintain yield,
quality, disease resistance and the other distinguishing
characteristics of a variety.
From its office in Ottawa and through Certified seed
growers, government representatives, and the seed trade
across the country, the CSGA has worked since 1904 to ensure
the supply of high quality seed for crop production.
For more details on the 100-year history of the CSGA,
please contact the office.
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