b'SEED TESTINGSeed QualityNew tests and technologies and what you need to know about seed quality issues this year.NOW, MORE THAN EVER, seed testing provides excellent value as a very small but critical input cost in producing the best crop. For a relatively small amount of money, you get a large degree of assurance, says Morgan Webb, owner and senior seed analyst at Seed Check Technologies in Leduc, Alta. From vigour, germination and presence of disease, to mechanical purity and seed size, more and more farmers are realizing the value of testing. The cost is so low compared to what you are getting, and spending money on all the other crop inputs when you dont know your seed quality just doesnt make any sense. Its the most affordable and important place to start when putting your crop in.Holly Gelech agrees seed quality is theFor a relatively small amount of money, you get a large degree of assurance when you seed test, says Morgan foundation of all crop farm profitability.Webb, owner and senior seed analyst at Seed Check Technologies in Leduc, Alta.PHOTO: SEED CHECK TECHNOLOGIESWith seed quality thats poor or unknown, there is no remedy that candispel incorrect beliefs and prevent poorgenerally get tests done post-harvest be applied later on, says the manager ofdecisions resulting from those beliefs.and also pre-seeding in the spring. This business development at SGS Biovision,People underestimate the sensitivityallows them to monitor seed quality which has locations in Sherwood Parkof seed and think that if the seed looksthroughout the storage season, to see if and Grande Prairie, Alta., and Winnipeg,good, it must be good, she explains.there are any differences between the Man. Seed testing sets the stage for aHowever, a seed is a living organism andfall and after cleaning and storage, and successful future. it often can be struggling to hold ontospurs on investigation of the situation Gelech says when SGS BioVisionsits vigour due to poor environmentalif discrepancies are found. If seed is seed analysts give test results to growers,conditions during the growing period.harvested dry and stored well, the seed those clients usually have a suspicionEven uneven maturity can lead tocan hold its vigour, he notes, but many there will be a quality issue due to rain orgermination issues, and if you dont getgrowers find it valuable to do both fall frost, and they want to know how muchtesting after harvest, you will not knowand spring tests to verify that. Test of an impact these conditions have hadwhat problems will arise at seeding time.results in the spring can help pinpoint on seed quality. However, no matter whatGelech also believes the mostany storage issues, he says, and the growing season has been like, Gelechimportant testing time is post-harvest.growers can then hone procedures so believes more and more farmers nowShe says its incredibly important tothat future problems are prevented. understand that ensuring seed quality is ado testing then, because if you do yourEvery year is obviously different, but critical step in their journey to reach theirtesting in April right before cleaning, youeven if no problems are found, the value targeted yield the following year.may discover you have seed thats tooof verification either way is very large. Sarah Foster, president and seniorlow in quality and you may not be able seed analyst at 20/20 Seed Labs in Nisku,to purchase what you need at that point.Evolution of TestingAlta., echoes these thoughts. She saysIt may be sold out.There are three basic tests, Foster seed testing is important because it canPedigreed growers, Webb says,says, when used together are the most 28seed.ab.ca'