Fargo, North Dakota
January 2, 2008
Inventory management has become an
important issue this winter because high commodity prices have
many seed companies, independent seed producers and farmers
questioning whether there will be a sufficient supply of
good-quality seed available for planting in 2008, according to
Steve Sebesta, North Dakota State Seed Department deputy
commissioner. In response, the
North Dakota State Seed Department is conducting a survey of
small-grain seed producers to assist the seed industry with
inventory management issues this spring.
"High market prices have enticed some producers to sell seed to
the elevator, which results in a reduction in available seed
this spring," Sebesta says. "A significant reduction in the
inventory of legal seed could lead to illegal seed transactions
that will have significant legal ramifications."
Most small-grain varieties available to farmers are protected by
a federal law, the Plant Variety Protection Act. Along with PVP,
most variety owners opt for additional protection under the
Title V provision. The Title V option states that a variety may
be sold only as a class of certified seed. Seed certification
provides the seed buyer and the variety owner assurances that
the seed has been produced, conditioned and handled to meet or
exceed certain standards for genetic purity and quality.
Only seed that has been field inspected and lab tested by an
official certification agency may be issued certified seed tags
or bulk certificates. This is the only way a purchaser can be
assured the seed meets certification standards and is legal.
"Tight inventories of popular varieties may entice some in
possession of uncertified seed to risk selling it to neighbors
or others as brown-bagged seed," Sebesta says. "Brown bagging is
considered by some as a way to circumvent the legal process of
seed sales. However, the Seed Department warns that violators of
PVP laws may be fined up to $5,000 per violation, and those
fines can extend to the seller, the conditioner, the buyer or
anyone who assists in the unauthorized sale of protected
varieties."
The Seed Department survey is designed to support the seed
industry by identifying potential inventory shortages, assist
sellers in pricing their products competitively, assist seed
producers with
2008 production plans and assist variety owners in management
decisions.
Seed producers can expect the survey the week of Jan. 7. |
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