What can happen with planting seed? (This story is based on real facts) When a farmer a purchased Wheat seed from well-known agricultural supply retailer he was told that the Germination was above 90%. The seed did not establish as expected in the paddock. Farmer A then brought a sample of his Wheat seed into our lab for a Germination and a Vigour Test. Germination was 74% and Vigour was 40%. The seed supplier had mistakenly used the test results from one lot of seed and applied them to a second lot, which was not the same.

While the retailer has compensated the farmer for the seed that he purchased, there has been no compensation for the loss of other costs (fertilizer, land prep, additional weed control, etc.) or reduced yield. The magnitude of this kind of loss can be vast!

For seed retailers… to protect yourself from loss of reputation and damage claims, you should be confident of the quality of seed that you sell by ensuring that you are in possession of a current independent seed test certificate that identifies the lot and the date of testing.

For farmers… to protect yourself from the considerable losses that can result from failed crops due to seed quality issues, you should insist on a copy of a current independent seed testing certificate that identifies the lot that you have purchased. If that is not available or if you have any other reason to question the quality of your purchase, you should have your seed tested before you plant.