March 15, 2023

Please Participate in Our Digital Tag Survey

CSGA is currently conducting a pilot project to evaluate digitally-enabled seed tags for Breeder and Select seed – the two pedigreed seed classes within CSGA’s authority. We need your input on this project to help us assess sector support for the initiative.

Please share your thoughts via this short survey until April 7, 2023, to help inform our work. We’d like to know what printer you use, what information you want to see included on seed tags and more.

Digital seed tags have the potential to simplify the tag process with less paperwork, reduced fraud risks and increased value and confidence in pedigreed seed. Digital tags would allow you to print your Breeder and Select seed tags from CSGA’s SeedCert digital platform on tags provided by CSGA. The tags would have improved security measures to help minimize fraud risks and increase the value and confidence in pedigreed seed. They will also have a QR code that, when scanned, links users to a Tag Validation Page that verifies the authenticity of the seed. This project is supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) AgriAssurance Program.

Your feedback on our short survey is greatly appreciated.

How We’re Responding to The SRM Pre-Consultation Survey

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) Task Team pre-consultation survey is out, and it’s time to have your voice heard!

Before you respond to the survey, we wanted to share how we are responding and why. While there was strong alignment between the Task Team recommendations and CSGA’s vision for a next-generation seed system, we need to keep working together to ensure that the seed sector and Canadian agriculture will continue to thrive and prosper. 

We invite you to read our responses to key questions with brief explanations here. The consultation is open for comments from February 15 until May 1, 2023.

Let’s not miss this chance to make a real difference!

CSGA In Action

CSGA is always on the move! We are incredibly proud of our role in the international seed certification community. Our Executive Director, Doug Miller, made this video after attending the OECD Seed Schemes meetings in Paris, France, in late January.

With seed quality and testing playing an integral part in seed certification, Doug was in Washington, D.C., in mid-February, meeting with the Executive of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and stakeholders from across Canada and the US to talk about the importance of international harmonization in seed testing. You can learn more about the importance of international harmonization through this video.

Mike Scheffel, our Managing Director, Policy and Standards and Brianna Chouinard, our Certification Manager, were in Banff in early March to attend the Prairie Grain Development Committee’s annual general meeting. With Many seed growers, grain processors, agronomists, plant pathologists and grain quality experts in attendance, CSGA was able to meet with members to discuss developing regulatory issues and promote awareness of the Association’s various programs geared towards Plant Breeders, including the new Breeder Seed Requirements.

Doug was in Ottawa earlier this week to attend the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s (CFA) annual general meeting. His most recent LinkedIn video speaks to how CSGA works with the CFA to move forward key policy issues on our behalf, including sustainability, on-farm carbon tax exemptions, and plant breeding innovation.

Become an Accredited Seed Grower – Because Nobody Knows More About Certified Seed Production Than You!

To succeed in the seed sector, passion and an eye for detail are a must – from seed production and its standards to best management practices.

Through CSGA Learn, we support experienced seed growers like you with professional recognition as a CSGA-Accredited Seed Grower (ASG). Our Experienced Seed Grower Program is a seven-course program developed to benchmark your knowledge and skills against best management practices, certification requirements and sector standards.

By completing this voluntary program, combined with two years of successful seed crop production, you will earn the “ASG” designation. Your CSGA-Accredited Seed Grower designation will help you demonstrate your expertise, excellence and commitment to Certified seed. Learn more about all of CSGA’s designations here. 

Market yourself as a leader in the seed sector. Enroll in CSGA Learn Today!

Get Ready for the Annual CSGA-ASCIS Association Webinar

CSGA, with the Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Service (ASCIS) Association, is pleased to offer its annual webinar to help growers understand changes and requirements for the 2023 application season.

CSGA’s Brianna Chouinard and Emmanuel Fondi will provide an overview of CSGA’s application process along with Circular 6 and SeedCert updates. The ASCIS Association will speak to the steps growers can take to help ensure a smooth inspection.

A French and English recording will be made available on our YouTube channel for reference at your convenience.

CSGA Update at Branch AGMs

All six of the CSGA Regional Branch annual general meetings were resounding successes. CSGA provided a national update at each meeting. The Saskatchewan presentation was recorded and is available on YouTube. Congratulations to each Branch on hosting such well-attended, interesting meetings.

Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Producer Engagement Sessions

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is asking for your participation in the Sustainable Agricultural Strategy consultation. Before March 31, you can share your feedback on the online discussion document through the following:

Virtual town hall engagement sessions (English with French interpretation):

• Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: March 10 from 11 am to 2 pm CT Register here
• Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador: March 20 from 12 to 3 pm ET Register here
• National: March 24 from 12 to 3 pm ET Register here

Or participate in the online consultation survey. Joint and complete submissions can be emailed to aafc.sas-sad.aac@agr.gc.ca.

New Variety Adoption in Western Canada

On February 9, 2023, the Canadian Journal of Plant Science published an excellent article by Rim Lassoued and Stuart J. Smyth, reviewing the decision factors influencing new variety adoption in western Canada by the seed industry. The report offers a great description of the seed regulatory framework, including variety registration and seed certification, as well as solid demographic information on prairie seed growers and much more. 

Our own Michael Scheffel, Managing Director, Policy and Standards is acknowledged for providing feedback on the survey. You can read the full article here and reference the policy brief and blog.

Are You Interested in Cover Crops?

The Canadian Organic Growers is looking for your help in promoting cover cropping by participating in a short survey to document the degree of need for increased training for cover crop professionals. There are separate sections for producers, extensionists, industry, and research.

CSGA has been approached by several organizations seeking to speak with seed growers using cover crops or intercropping. Please email us if you would like to discuss value-added opportunities.