Passing the field inspection alone does not mean the end of the certification process. Field inspection is just the first step in producing a quality certified seed product. In order to be labeled as certified seed, all field-inspected seed must be cleaned to remove impurities and then tested at the department’s Seed Lab to determine whether the seed meets the minimum seed standards for the crop and class. Once the seed lot passes, then it may be labeled as certified seed.

Testing Prior to Conditioning
In order to determine whether the additional investment in conditioning is justified, growers should submit a sample of their field-inspected seed for germination and disease testing. Samples should be cleaned with a hand sieve or mini-mill to approximate the quality after conditioning. The results of the pre-germ and disease tests may be used for final certification or another sample may be submitted following conditioning.

Due to their susceptibility to damage from handling, pre-germ tests cannot be used for final certification on fragile crops such as soybeans, edible beans, and field peas. Germination tests on these crops must be done following conditioning.

Conditioning
Growers have a number of conditioning and marketing options available to them depending on their marketing skills and the level of management and handling they desire. Keep in mind that certified seed is a value-added product and each level of management adds value, and those that perform those tasks will extract some of that value for the services they perform. All field-inspected seed that is to be labeled must be conditioned and must meet minimum seed standards for the crop and class.

• By the grower
  The grower may condition their own seed on their premises with their own equipment. The grower must then submit a representative sample of cleaned seed to the Seed Lab for testing. If the seed meets the minimum requirements for the crop and class, it may then be labeled as certified seed.
• By an Approved Conditioner
  A grower may utilize an approved conditioner to clean field-inspected seed and then label that seed in the grower’s name. An approved conditioner is one that has been inspected by the State Seed Department, possesses the proper equipment and has demonstrated the ability to clean and handle certified seed properly. The conditioner will submit a representative sample along with the Sampler’s Report to the Seed Lab for analysis. Providing the sample meets the minimum requirements for the crop and class, bulk certificates will be issued in the grower’s name, and the grower may then sell that seed legally.
• Sale of unconditioned field-inspected seed
  A grower that does not want to condition, label and sell the seed themselves may sell their field-inspected seed “in the dirt” only to an approved conditioner or approved bulk retailer. The conditioner or retailer will assume the responsibility for conditioning the seed, completing final certification and marketing. The grower must complete a Grower’s Declaration when ownership of the seed is transferred.
• Transfer of unconditioned seed to other growers is not permitted
  Complete procedures and requirements governing the production, conditioning, and labeling of certified seed are published in Bulletin 51, North Dakota Field Seed Certification Standards.

Testing
Testing requirements vary by crop, but in general, all crops must be tested for germination and purity. For some crops, additional tests such as seed count or disease tests to check for seed-borne pathogens may be required for certification or labeling. See ND Seed Certification Standards for specific requirements for each crop. All tests are conducted by accredited lab technicians according to the rules of the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA).

Re-testing
Under certain circumstances, re-sampling and re-testing of a seed lot is permitted. If the seed lot has not undergone additional conditioning, final test results shall be determined as follows:

• Purity test results will be averaged
• The most recent germination result will be used
• The most recent disease test result will be used

If the seed lot has been reconditioned to remove impurities, a new germination test, purity analysis and seed count (if required for that crop) is required.

Official Samples
Test results on official samples collected by department personnel shall supersede all other test results from any sample submitted.

Seed Lab      Diagnostic Lab

Labeling
Proper labeling is the final step in the final certification process. Once a seed lot has passed grading, certified seed bulk certificates or tags will be issued to the labeler listed on the Sampler’s Report. The responsibility for properly labeling Foundation, Registered or Certified seed rests with the initial labeler. The initial labeler is also responsible for the payment of all research fees.

• Bagged Seed
  All certified seed must be bagged in new bags with the official certification tag properly affixed. Certification tags are void if improperly used or not attached to the bags. Seed analysis must be shown on the certification tag, a separate tag or printed on the bag. When a single tag is used, the official certification tag may include the seed analysis, or it may be printed directly on the bag. When two tags are used, a separate analysis tag must carry the seed analysis. Tote bags may be considered bulk seed.
  
• Bulk Seed
  Instead of certification tags, labelers will be issued Bulk Sale Certificates for each lot of certified seed. The complete analysis will be printed on the certificate. A completed bulk certificate must be issued with each load of certified seed at the time of delivery.

Foundation or Registered class seed
To be eligible for recertification, bulk Foundation or Registered seed must be sold directly to the consumer by

• The applicant producer, or
• An approved certified seed conditioner

After final certification has been completed, only one (1) physical transfer of bulk Foundation or Registered seed is permitted to ensure the purity and identity of the seed.

Certified class seed
Certified seed may be sold in bulk by:

• The applicant producer
• An approved conditioner
• An approved bulk retailer

After final certification has been completed, a maximum of two (2) physical transfers are permitted:

• From the applicant labeler to the consumer (one movement)
• From the applicant labeler to an approved bulk retailer to the consumer (two movements)

Certified Blends
A blend is a controlled mixture of varieties, each of which exceeds 5% of the total. Blends must be registered with the State Seed Department. In order for a blend to be labeled as certified the following information is required:

• Name the blend will be marketed as
• Name and percentage of each component
• Each component of a certified blend must be certified
• Permission from variety owners of each component in the blend

Documented proof must be provided for the last two requirements. Variety names of each component is not required to be on the label, but may be listed if desired. 

For more information on labeling see the Regulatory Program.