December 15, 2022

Warmest Holiday Wishes from Your CSGA President

As the year winds down and winter takes over, I hope you and your families have had a successful 2022. Only recently have we been able to see each other again in person. I look forward to more of those opportunities in 2023!

It’s been another busy year for CSGA. Of course, Seed Regulatory Modernization has been top of mind. We continue to work to bring efficiency, transparency, and trust to Canada’s seed crop certification system and other issues that mean the most to you, your business, and the seed sector.

I extend my sincere thanks for all the hard work our CSGA staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and members have done throughout the year. Your time and effort are integral to the success of our Association and the seed sector.

This is the time of year when families and friends gather together to celebrate the holidays. While many of our yearly traditions revolve around agriculture, it’s the holiday meal that brings families together. Thanks to our Canadian farmers who work year-round, we can break bread and raise a toast with those who mean the most to us.

In that spirit, I wish you a season full of joy and magic and a bright, prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,
Dale Connell

Circular 6 Notice of Changes

The Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production, known as Circular 6, sets out the requirements that a seed grower and a seed crop must meet for seed crop certification. Changes to the requirements and standards for pulses and soybeans have been approved and are in effect for the 2023 crop season. We encourage all pulse and soybean growers to consult the Circular 6 Notice of Changes and to contact the office if they have questions on how these changes may affect their plans for seed production in 2023. The official revised version of Circular 6 will be available on the CSGA website on February 1, 2023.  

Pulses and Soybeans (Circular 6, Section 3)

• Remove the mechanical purity isolation requirement for Foundation, Registered and Certified production of pulses and soybeans.
• No longer have seed crop inspectors count plants of other crop kinds for Foundation, Registered and Certified production of pulses and soybeans, as there is no maximum impurity standard.

This change does not affect the isolation requirements or maximum impurity standards for mechanical purity for plot production of pulse and soybean seed crops in Section 12.

In October 2022, CSGA launched a consultation on potential revisions to Circular 6. We thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback during the consultation.

Forage and Turf

There are no changes to Section 6 (Forage and Turf Grasses) or Section 7 (Forage Legumes) for 2023. CSGA also consulted on potential revisions related to the isolation requirements and the mechanical purity standards of forage and turf grasses and legumes. While there was some support for the proposal, it became apparent that a standard may need to remain in place where it is the same genus or closely related species that has the potential to cross-pollinate, the seeds are very difficult to separate, or the seeds are difficult to distinguish from one another in a lab test. CSGA plans to re-engage the Forage and Turf Working Group over the winter and consult stakeholders in the fall of 2023 to review this proposed standard change in more detail.

Remember to Complete Your Digital Seed Crop Certificates

Growers and Assignees are reminded to please complete their digital seed crop certificates and settle their accounts. Please log in to SeedCert and review your account to see what may be outstanding. The resource section on the home page includes a “How To” video and a PDF guide to help guide you through the process.

If you need assistance with any outstanding seed crop certificates, please email us or call 613-236-0497, ext. 8803.

Reminder! We’re Reviewing the Regulations and Procedures for Breeder Seed

Don’t forget that the public consultation on the proposed changes to the Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Breeder Seed Crop Production is open until January 15, 2023. Full details on the proposed revisions are available here.

Stakeholders can provide feedback on proposed revisions by email, phone at 613-236-0497, ext. 227 or a 10-minute online survey. All responses are strictly confidential and will be presented only in aggregate.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it helps maintain an agile and up-to-date seed crop certification system.

CFA’s Year-End Update to CSGA

CSGA is a proud member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), which helps ensure seed grower perspectives are heard on national issues of importance. Through relationships like this, CSGA can take an inclusive approach to engaging stakeholders in the next generation seed certification system that meets the diverse needs of Canada’s agri-food economy.

We are pleased to share a message from CFA President Mary Robinson on the key work CFA is doing on behalf of Canadian producers. We invite you to watch the video here.

CSGA In Action

Late fall continues to be a busy season for CSGA, with attendance at several meetings, including Seeds Canada’s Semi-Annual Meeting, GrowCanada 2022 conference, and the start of the Branch AGMs. We continue to meet with provincial commodity associations and have made presentations on SRM and CSGA’s vision for change to the Union des Producteurs Agricoles (UPA) and Team Alberta.

CSGA Office Holiday Closure

To enjoy time with family and friends, the CSGA office will be closed for the holidays starting at 4 pm ET on Thursday, December 22, 2022, and reopening at 8 am ET Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

We hope you have a very happy festive season, and we wish you all the best for the new year.

Enroll in CSGA Learn

Created by the seed sector for the seed sector, CSGA Learn is Canada’s first online seed learning program offering one-of-a-kind education resources for seed growers and seed sector organizations.

With ten courses and four programs, CSGA Learn is seed learning specifically for you. Learn on your own terms, wherever and whenever. Enroll today!