July 27, 2021

Field Conditions Across the Country

CSGA and the provincial branches have discussed the crop conditions faced by many of our members across the country. We appreciate that this is a difficult time for many members.

Several branches have raised concerns about seed stock availability for 2022. CSGA is monitoring the situation and encourages members to apply for inspection on as many acres of seed as possible where feasible. To remove potential barriers, CSGA is suspending all late penalty fees, and cancellation fees on Section 2 crop kinds applied for after July 12, 2021. Having seed crops inspected this year will provide greater flexibility in 2022 and beyond.

Certain crop kinds, like flax and pulses, require time-sensitive inspections (e.g., at flower) to determine varietal purity. Depending on the maturity of your crop, the applicable inspection window may have passed. Before applying for these crop kinds, please consult your inspection service.

CSGA has provided a list of resources for Western producers here. We thank the various provincial branches for supplying these resources.

Please contact us at 613.236.0497 ext. 8803 or email with any questions.

Reminder: Digital Crop Certificates Have Launched in SeedCert

As announced on Monday, July 19, digital crop certificates have launched! Replacing the traditional hardcopy certificates, digital certificates are managed within the SeedCert platform (formerly the CSGA Members’ Area). CSGA has developed a short video on accessing, signing, and sharing your digital crop certificates. You can access it here.

As previously required with hardcopy certificates, for a digital crop certificate to be considered final and official, it must include the total quantity (weight) of seed harvested (before cleaning), and it must be signed. Through SeedCert, seed growers and crop certificate assignees declare the total quantity of seed and digitally sign the certificates. They can also easily share their digital crop certificates through the platform.

Seed growers and crop certificate assignees can use the Crop Certificate tab in SeedCert to access the Support Document tab. There they can voluntarily store all documents associated with a crop certificate, which has been added as a value-added service. All information and documents will be handled in compliance with CSGA’s privacy policy.

Should you have any questions about digital crop certificates, please contact CSGA via email or 613-236-0497, ext. 8804. 

Customization for Seed Guide Listings and Carry-Over Seed

To provide consent and allow for added customization, seed crop certification applicants must now identify the personal information they wish to be released in pedigreed seed crop listings and publications, including CSGA’s national online Pedigreed Seed Locator and provincial seed guides. Applicants may choose to opt out of this free service. Please note, should you choose to opt-out, you will not be listed in the national seed listing or provincial seed guides. Any changes made to this option must be done before the cut-off dates.

Only seed sources of varieties registered by CFIA or recognized through CSGA’s Form 300 grown by or assigned to your account can be displayed in Pedigreed Seed Locator and seed guides. Breeder plots and hybrid corn are not eligible for listing. If the seed crop was assigned to a third party, the data will be displayed under the assignee’s name. If the field is not assigned, the seed guide data will be displayed in the producer’s name.

Seed growers can complete this customization through the Membership Application Form or their account profile setting in SeedCert. Crop Certificate Assignees must complete the Third Party Consent and Information Form sent via email. If you have not received this email, please contact us via email. 

Carry-Over Seed

Growers and Assignees may use the Notice of Carry-Over Seed available under the Forms tab in SeedCert to notify CSGA of any carry-over seed available to be listed in CSGA’s Pedigreed Seed Locator and provincial seed guides.

Cut-off dates to submit your data to CSGA for inclusion in provincial seed guides are listed below.

• Alberta: September 28
• Saskatchewan: November 20
• Manitoba: October 31
• Ontario: Late November

A $50 Carry Over Seed Listing Fee (per variety/class) per crop certificate is applicable and will be charged to your account.

Double Cropping

Due to an early season in Ontario and Quebec, some members may be considering a double crop of soybeans after harvesting a cereal crop.  

When you are applying for certification of a double-cropped soybean, please provide information on the 2021 crop produced (e.g., the winter wheat) in addition to the 2020 crop in the previous land use section. In the comment box for previous land use, please indicate that this is a double crop so that your inspector is aware.

Please contact us via email or at 613.236.0497 ext. 8806 with any questions.

CSGA Member Health Insurance Survey

Access to health insurance plans can be costly and, in many cases, prohibitive for some farm owners. In its commitment to offer more value-added services to members, CSGA is exploring the demand for health care services with the potential negotiation of a group rate to provide our members access to affordable health insurance for themselves and their employees.

We invite you to complete this confidential, five-minute online survey regarding your interest in access to health insurance. Results will help inform whether the Association proceeds with this initiative.

Survey for Prairie Growers: Licensing of New Seed Varieties

The University of Saskatchewan Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics is conducting a survey of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba seed growers on the decision factors into licensing and production of new seed varieties in the Prairies.

The 15-minute online survey asks about your seed business activities, farmland characteristics, and type of seed produced for commercial release. Survey responses will be anonymous. By completing this survey, you are entitled to $100 in compensation for your time and information. Please complete the survey here.