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Seed is a unique product. Why? Because it’s
living. It’s a biological product where the genetic
potential to grow, thrive and produce on that genetic
potential.
The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) knows that
and, since 1904, it has ensured the supply of high-quality,
seed in Canada. Its members have been multiplying and
producing some of the highest quality seed in the world
using a Quality Assurance (QA) Identity Preserved (IP)
system that is world renowned.
That QA system can be a powerful tool for any company in
today’s rapidly changing seed business – it is the easiest,
most accessible means of assuring and protecting the quality
of your product, and your reputation as a retailer. And the
easiest way to access that QA system is through the CSGA and
its members. We’re here to help.
A world-class QA system
Canada’s seed system is recognized and respected around
the globe because it ensures mechanical purity, while
providing an audit trail of varietal identity. It’s a system
that has given Canada its worldwide reputation as a supplier
of quality agricultural products, a reputation you can use
to guarantee the quality of your own products.
There are three main components to this system.
- Varietal purity. At each stage of pedigreed
seed production, standards for isolation distances,
land-use history, maximum levels of off-types, other
crop kinds and weeds have been established by the CSGA.
These are the rules all seed growers must follow to
maintain crop and purity.
It means they must plan years in advance what crop they
will plant where to ensure no contamination. It means
cleaning seeders and combines between plots, cleaning
augers and storage facilities between varieties, as well
as hand weeding and roguing plots and fields to ensure
no off-types and weeds contaminate the crop.
- Germination. Just like the pedigree of a
prize animal, the pedigree of a seed crop is documented
on paper from breeding lab to commercial sale.
Documented seed lab test results also confirm seed
purity and germination of all Certified seed crops.
- Freedom from impurities. In the field,
third-party inspection verifies proper isolation, that
the crop was produced from a higher level progeny, and
absence of volunteer crops and off-types. In the
processing plant, random sampling verifies mechanical
purity which is the freedom from weeds and other crop
kinds.
Canada’s seed growers produce living seed products under
this system, and adhere to the CSGA’s strict standards
for quality and purity. Certified seed grown, processed
and inspected under this QA system is labeled with a
Certified seed tag – proof of the product’s integrity
and soundness.
Quality in, quality out
All sectors of the agricultural industry are moving
toward a value chain model – a model based on quality
assurances. It means establishing clear lines of production
from raw product to end-user so customers know what they’re
buying and, when necessary, have assurance the product was
grown to their specifications.
Whether you are in the business of multiplying seed stock or
supplying grain and oilseed products for specific end-uses,
that shift in consumer demand is important. Your reputation
as a supplier of seed depends on delivering consistent
quality to your customers. It means knowing where, how and
from what progeny your seed was produced – complete crop
knowledge from start to finish. In other words, having a QA
system or IP program that you can rely on.
Canada’s seed growers can help provide that assurance to you
and your customers. They are committed to Canada’s seed
system, its standards and methods of producing clean,
true-to-type, high-quality seed. They can be a key component
of your own QA system, helping you meet the quality image
your company stands for.
Quality in, quality out. Canada’s seed growers are an
additional piece of assurance that you are retailing a
quality product every time.
Put a seed grower on your production team
Canada’s seed growers are producing high quality seed
from coast to coast. The CSGA can help you find qualified,
professional growers for every region, soil zone and crop
kind. For more information on Canada’s seed system, or to
learn more about how Canada’s seed growers can help you,
contact the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association.
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