b'SHOULD YOU SCRIMP ON THE SEED TEST WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH? As inflation dominates conversations about money, some companies are choosing to forego certain seed tests. Experts agree thats a risky choice.Lisa KopochinskiTHE SEED INDUSTRY has seen better times than we are cur-rently seeing. Much of this can be attributed to a stretched and fragile seed market. When dollars seem to be flowing out more quickly than they flow in, it can be tempting to try to sharpen ones financial pencil by cutting out any additional costs. The big question is: is seed testing a nice to have bonus or a cant skip it necessity?Multiple factorsvirtually all outside of seed producer and seed companies controlhave converged to challenge the seed sector. We are a global industry and rely on all world production areas, says Amanda Patin, crop science director of business development for SGS North America, Inc. in Brookings, South Dakota, which performs agricultural quality testing. She points out that every part of the globe has been impacted in recent years by numerous issues. Just some include an increase inThis photo is from a comparison between diploid (2N) perennial weather-related production issues, war, increased supply andryegrass and tetraploid (4N) perennial ryegrass. Diploid perennials are transportation costs and a declining and aging labour force, shetypically lawn grasses as they are much finer and slower growing, where says. tetraploid types are typically valuable as forage due to their aggressive The war between Russia and Ukraine isnt helping mat- growth, broad leaves, and high protein content. Photo courtesy of Universal ters, says Sarah Foster, president and senior seed analyst atSeed LLC20/20 Seed Labs, which has locations in Nisku, Alta., and Winnipeg, Man. Prices and supplies have been affected. OfQuinn Gillespie is the quality manager at Universal Seed course, it depends upon local versus other international marketsLLC., which has locations in Oregon and Washington. In that and they vary considerably. [But] I dont see the situationrole, she conducts purity, germination, in-process mill checks, improving until the war is resolved. moisture tests, tetrazolium testing, and research testing on organic and conventional seed treatment products. She also The Case for Seed Testingworks with the AOSA-SCST (Association of Official Seed Given the current challengesespecially the challenge ofAnalystsSociety of Commercial Seed Technologists) on the increased input costsFoster says seed customers are look- Communications and Publications Committee, the Executive ing for any possible assurance of some protection from cropBoard, and the Referee Committee to help analysts conduct failures, poor performance and disease threats. They also needresearch for training and method validation studies for future precise planting information.rule proposals. Many seed by units or by seed-per-acre, so purchasing theShe says vigour testing can provide invaluable information highest quality products ensures a return on their investment.for growers and seed buyers who need to know not just what Seed analysts can consult on a variety of tests that meet thepercentage of their seed is viable but how uniform of a stand needs within a reasonable budget. Seed testing is not expensivethe seed has the potential to produce, including whether or not compared to all of the other input costs such as fuel, fertilizer,the seed can survive being planted early into cool soil, or how seed treatment and fungicides. well it may fare during a wave of hot weather. 28GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024'