Research fees are an important source of funding for plant breeding programs. The revenues generated from research fees help fund variety development and testing programs that benefit the region’s agricultural industry. The fees for specific varieties will not change and are effective for the life of the variety. Research fees apply to Registered and Certified classes sold for seed.

Who must pay the fee?
Labelers must pay the fees on all Registered and Certified classes of fee-bearing varieties sold for seed. In cases where Registered or Certified seed is sold to an approved facility and re-labeled, the initial labeler is responsible for the fee.

Who collects research fees?
The North Dakota State Seed Department is responsible for the collection of research fees on varieties released by North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota and Busch Agricultural Resources. To ensure proper credit to your account, fees should be paid only to the Seed Department. Do not send payment to the North Dakota Crop Improvement and Seed Association, your county agent or your county crop improvement association or agricultural association.

Reporting procedure
A Research Fee Report form will be mailed to labelers of fee-bearing varieties each July. The report will indicate the number of bushels certified by variety and lot according to department data. Labelers are required to reconcile the number of bushels sold for planting, planted on their own farm, sold as commodity or carried over.

Labelers only need to pay the research fee on the number of Registered or Certified bushels SOLD AS SEED.

Fees are due September 15 for sales that year.

Varieties with Research fees