April 2019

CSGA, in collaboration with CSTA, invite you to the 2019 Annual Meeting in Whistler, B.C.!

CSGA, in collaboration with the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), are proud to welcome our members, partners, sponsors and their families to the 2019 Annual Meeting taking place in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia from July 7-10, 2019. We have an exciting roster of panels, stimulating discussions and opportunities to network with leaders from across the seed growing industry, so mark your calendars and join us!

This year’s meeting will be taking place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and accommodations can now be booked via our reservations portal.

Registration information, program details and sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 Annual Meeting are available on our website. For all other enquiries, contact Lucie Lafleur.

Circular 6 Update

On February 1^st, the 2019 version of Circular 6 was posted on the CSGA website. This version contains revisions resulting from the second phase of the Circular 6 Modernization Project. Section 0, which is an introduction to pedigreed seed crop production and Section 1 and contains regulations applicable to all pedigreed seed crops, have numerous revisions in order to bring those sections up to date with the current system of privatized seed crop inspection and electronic forms and processes.

As a result of work done by the Canola and Hemp working groups, a number of revisions have been made to Sections 4 and 5 for Canola, and Sections 10 and 11 for Hemp.  The Canola revisions mainly relate to the standards for wild mustard and removal of the harmful contaminant terminology by clarifying which species may cross pollinate and which species have seeds that are difficult-to-separate.  The Hemp revisions mainly relate to timing of crop inspection, isolation requirements and the removal of the maximum impurity standard for “too male.”

Two new sections for hybrid wheat production have also been added.  Section 2A describes the standards for Certified production and Section 12A describes the standards for plot production of the parent lines.

The maximum varietal impurity standards for Fababean plot production have also been revised.  A complete summary of the revisions can be found in the Notice of Changes to Circular 6 – Effective in 2019.

A summary of the results of the second survey, on potential revisions for 2019/2020, which ran from March to September can also be found on the CSGA website.

As Circular 6 Modernization continues look for opportunities to engage and share your suggestions for change.  Suggestions for change can also be sent by email to mscheffel@seedgrowers.accuratedev.ca.

CSGA secures funding to develop National Occupational Standards and an online education platform

We are pleased to share the news that CSGA has secured funding from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) via the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC) to research, develop and implement an online, accessible training program for new and existing workers and employers involved in growing seed.  The 3-year project will create on-the-job, self-guided learning materials to help those involved in production learn how to do the activities involved in seed production. The goal of the project is to take seed growing operations to a new level with innovative and practical (voluntary) training. It will also support effective succession planning to secure a strong future for the industry.

Over this past winter, consultations with members took place with members to develop National Occupational Standards for seed production. This project will allow Canadian seed growers to voluntarily enhance the skills and knowledge within their respective industries and to ensure that the next generation of growers, including new growers and entry level workers, have the tools they need to be effective.

CSGA encourages seed growers to invest in plot production

Are you a long-time grower of seed crops in Canada? Plot production might be a great opportunity for your business! Plot production facilitates the first stage of seed multiplication for most non-hybrid annual crops.  Plant breeders typically work with CSGA-accredited Select Plot Producers to multiply Select seed for a new variety, which in turn becomes Foundation, Registered and/or Certified seed.

The financial and competitive benefits that plot producers can expect include:

• early access to new traits and genetics;
• ability to produce higher generations of all common crop types; and
• familiarity with the agronomic characteristics and management needs of a new variety before it hits the market.

Knowledgeable seed customers in turn appreciate Select Plot Producers’ hard work at removing off-types, sanitizing their plot planting, harvesting equipment and carefully segregating plot seed storage in order ability to produce clean, high-quality seed as they increase the supply of new varieties.

Succession Planning for Accredited Plot Producers

Select plot production accreditation is linked to an individual seed grower and cannot be transferred.  With only a single accredited Plot Producer, a business risks losing access to self-produced Select status seed if their accredited producer is no longer able to produce Select Plots.

An effective Select Plot succession plan includes having a second or third seed grower in the business accredited by CSGA as a Plot Producer. In the event of a death, retirement or partnership separation, a succession plan ensures the business can continue to produce higher generation seed. If a business or partnership is suddenly left without their accredited Plot Producer, another family member or partner must then begin probation to become a CSGA-accredited Plot Producer, meaning that the business would not be able to produce Select seed for a minimum of three years.

How to Get Started in Plot Production

In order to become a CSGA-accredited plot producer, an individual seed grower must successfully complete a three-year probation period in plot production.  In order to begin the probation period, the applicant must have produced pedigreed seed of the same crop kind in at least 3 out of the past 5 years.

Growers interested in beginning their probation period must submit a Probation Plot Production Application (Form 154) to the CSGA office as soon as possible.

Farewell to Gaye O’Bertos

In February we bid farewell to Gaye O’Bertos, who, after twenty years of loyal service with CSGA, retired from her role as Executive Assistant. Gaye’s contribution to CSGA was insurmountable and her sage advice, unique insights and invaluable problem-solving skills are undoubtedly missed.

From all the colleagues and partners who have worked and gotten to know Gaye over the years, we wish her the best of luck in her next chapter!

Lucie Lafleur has graciously taken on Gaye’s role and you can contact her at llafleur@seedgrowers.accuratedev.ca or at 613-236-0497 ext. 231 for any questions.