Seed

Planting high quality seed is the first step towards maximum crop quality. The Seed Program of the Division of Regulatory Services is committed to helping producers and growers achieve this goal. The seed program is comprised of the seed regulatory program and the seed service testing program at Regulatory Services. While each program is operated separately, they complement each other very well.

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Kentucky Seed Issues. Kentucky Seed Issues is a brief, monthly e-newsletter for those interested in current seed industry topics.
2010 Seed Count Survey (Study). Seed Counts are of great interest to grain crop producers. This study evaluates seed count labeling trends and provides a brief overview of how select seed lots meet seed count label guarantees.
Developing a Standard Germination Protocol for Partridge Pea (Study). Partridge Pea is an annual forb that is widely distributed in the eastern half of the US. It is commonly observed in "native seed" mixtures. This study determines testing methods currently being used in seed labs for Partridge Pea and assesses methods for overcoming seed dormancy in lab conditions.
Seed Labeling in Kentucky: Brands and Varieties, The Importance of a Name.It is not uncommon for some seed kinds to be labeled with both a variety and a brand name. This article addresses this sometimes confusing situation. On this page you can also find a link to our "Kentucky Brand and Variety Spreadsheet."
Seed Dealer Tip Sheet for Resolving Stop Sales.Seed stop sales may occur for a range of reasons. Fortunately, most stop sales can be easily resolved. Review this article for some tips on this topic.
Tentative Proposed Service Testing Fee Increase. The service testing lab fee schedule currently used by the seed testing program was last updated in 1994. Click here to learn more about tentative plans to update these fees.

Seed Program Overview

The seed regulatory program protects the industry and consumers through monitoring seed products in the marketplace by administering the Kentucky Seed Law and Regulations. The Kentucky Seed Law is a "truth-in-labeling" law requiring basic labeling of seed components and quality factors to inform producers and consumers about the attributes of seed lots offered for sale in Kentucky.

Regulatory Services' field staff regularly visit seed distributors to examine and sample seed offered for sale.

These attributes include identification of the seed lot's test date and guarantees for germination, pure seed, inert matter, weed and other crop seed as well as the presence and number of any noxious weeds. Compliance is acheived by inspecting facilities and sampling seed offered for sale throughout the state. Laboratory analyses of these official samples are evaluated to determine if label guarantees and seed quality standards are met. Seed lots not in compliance are restricted from sale until the violation is corrected. Our office is a member of the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO) and regularly cooperates with the USDA-AMS Seed Testing and Regulatory Branch on matters relating to interstate commerce and the Federal Seed Act.

The seed testing program performs a wide range of seed analyses.

The service testing program operates the only seed service testing facility in the state. The lab is an Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) member laboratory and conducts analyses for seed producers, researchers, farmers and gardeners to determine the quality of seed. Anyone interested in knowing the quality of seed they intend to sell or have purchased can benefit from our services. Having your seed tested at our laboratory or another qualified AOSA or Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST) seed testing laboratory will provide information to help determine the quality of your seed.