June 16, 2023

CSGA’s AGM Registration Closes June 23!

Have you registered for the 2023 CSGA AGM in St. John’s, Newfoundland, from July 8 to 10? Don’t delay – registration closes Friday, June 23, 2023! We’ve got a packed agenda that you and the family will enjoy!

• Saturday is a fun afternoon of golf or whale watching.
• Sunday is jam-packed! We’ve got the AGM, an SRM discussion, our keynote speaker Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, “The Food Professor,” and a special panel with the heads of the international seed certification community discussing future trends and seed certification around the globe. Of course, the evening fun is SeCan’s “Rally in the Alley”!
• Monday, we’ll discuss seed innovation’s role in our seed system and host a panel discussion with next-generation growers. We end our 2023 event by celebrating our award recipients at the Awards Gala Luncheon.

Learn more on our AGM webpage. See you there!

Thank you to our AGM Sponsors! You are critical to the success and enjoyability of our AGM.

Member Proposals Due by June 19

Members are invited to submit Member Proposals to the office by Monday, June 19, 2023, for presentation and discussion at the CSGA Annual General Meeting.

The Member Proposal process (previously referred to as resolutions) is an essential part of the Association’s governance. It allows our members’ voices to be heard and provides direct input to the CSGA Board of Directors on our policy development to maintain our grassroots system and call for formal action or support on a specific issue or concern.

All proposals will be circulated in advance of the Annual General Meeting through our Seed Scoop newsletter. At the AGM, members will vote on the proposal after discussion.

To present a Member Proposal, please complete this form (auto-download) and submit it via email to Gail Harris, who compiles submissions on behalf of the Governance Committee by June 19. Please contact Gail if you need assistance completing or submitting your member proposal form.

CSGA Honours Four for Their Profound Contributions

This year, CSGA is honoured to announce the recipients of the 2023 Robertson Associate Award and the Honorary Life Award.

The Robertson Associate Award is awarded to members who, with utmost fidelity and success, have fulfilled their obligation to the Association and have contributed to the betterment of the seed sector and Canadian agriculture. The 2023 award recipients are Dave MacKellar of Ontario and Martin Provencher of Quebec.

The Honorary Life Award is presented to persons who, by distinguished services to the Association, have contributed to the betterment of the seed sector and Canadian agriculture. This year, we are pleased to recognize Glyn Chancey of Ontario and Heather McBey of Manitoba.

Congratulations, and thank you for your contributions! We look forward to presenting the awards  in person at the upcoming AGM in Newfoundland. We invite you to read more about each recipient here.

Our Digital Seed Tag Pilot Starts!

Thank you to those who provided feedback on our digital seed tag survey earlier this year. The results were very positive, and we’re happy to say that we have launched the first phase of our research pilot project for digital Breeder and Select seed tags, the two pedigreed seed classes within CSGA’s authority.

During this first phase, pilot participants can test SeedCert’s new tag printing functionality using their own printing equipment and provide valuable feedback to CSGA to ensure the process is as smooth and user-friendly as possible.

Tag stock for the pilot participants has been mailed out, so if you are enrolled, please keep an eye on your mail!

This pilot project allows the printing of Breeder and Select seed tags from SeedCert on CSGA tags. The tags provide improved security measures and a QR code that, when scanned, links to a Tag Validation Page, verifying the authenticity of the seed and the option of sharing additional seed information with growers, assignees, and buyers.

The second phase of the research pilot is planned for the fall. Participants will be able to print and apply the new digital tags to seed produced in 2023. If you are producing Breeder or Select seed in 2023 and would like to volunteer to participate in phase two, please email Alex Bouma, Certification Officer.

CSGA’s Doug Miller Elected AOSCA’s Vice-President

In Minneapolis last week, CSGA’s Executive Director, Doug Miller, was elected as the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) Vice-President for a two-year term. AOSCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1919 to establish standards for the production of high-quality seed in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

As a founding member of AOSCA, CSGA works closely with AOSCA toward the international harmonization of seed certification standards. CSGA holds a position on the AOSCA Board and also participates on several AOSCA committees.

CSGA’s Requirements for Breeder Seed Have Been Updated

CSGA recently completed an exhaustive review of the requirements and standards relating to plant breeders, Breeder seed crop production and Breeder seed to modernize the requirements.

Coming into effect July 1, 2023, CSGA will be releasing these updated standards and requirements in the Canadian Breeder Seed Requirements (BSR) manual. The main purpose of the requirements is to ensure that Canadian producers have access to genetically pure seed of improved varieties. For more details on the changes to the requirements, please click here.

Take Advantage of CFA’s Starlink Offer for Rural Customers

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is providing its members, affiliates, corporate partners, and farmers across the country a limited-time satellite internet service offer with Starlink. The offer ends on July 23, 2023. Learn more here.