There is no better way to start a successful crop than by using certified seed. It offers assurances in varietal purity, quality and access to the latest genetic advantages. This level of quality is often seen by growers as coming at a higher expense, and some growers might be reluctant to make the investment when they have bin-run seed on-hand. However, CSGA encourages companies and growers to stand by their brand._x000D_
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Certified seed reduces many risks for growers. Seed growers need to communicate the benefits of using certified seed to customers. This conversation should include a discussion of risk management. Unlike most of the other inputs used to produce a crop, seed is a living organism; it brings risks not associated with some of the other inputs such as fertilizer and chemicals._x000D_
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The more a grower knows about the seed and how it was produced and processed, the more it reduces these risks. The certification process, with its requirements for field inspection, assures the crop meets CSGA’s certification standards. The processing of the crop in an accredited facility and grading by licensed graders assures the purity of the seed. Storage and handling of crops by people who are trained and licensed gives further assurance of the quality of the seed._x000D_
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It can also be important to emphasize the technology developed in the most recent varieties and how it benefits a customer’s bottom line. Most new crop varieties are brought to market as certified seed, which brings economic advantage, whether it is higher yield, higher protein or improved agronomics, such as standability, maturity or disease resistance._x000D_
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By using certified seed, growers set themselves up with every advantage for a successful harvest. The extra cost comes with quality guarantees and traceability, as well as deals on crop insurance. It gives customers access to better traits and can be one of the best risk management tools on the farm._x000D_
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Certainty in Certified_x000D_
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As a grower, having confidence in and understanding the value and benefits of certified seed helps promote your brand. Certified means certainty. Customers know what they are buying and, when necessary, have third-party assurance that the product was grown to their specifications._x000D_
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Whether you are multiplying seed stock, supplying grain and oilseed products for specific end-use, or buying ingredients made from grains and oilseed to use in food products, your reputation depends on delivering consistent quality to customers, which means knowing where, how and from what progeny your seed or food ingredients were produced._x000D_
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Canada’s seed growers are committed to Canada’s seed system and its standards and methods of producing clean, true-to-type, high quality seed. Canadian farmers who plant certified seed are providing better quality grains and oilseeds, are creating new marketing opportunities for crops, are managing their risk, and have access to new varieties that are bred for success._x000D_
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Food processors and manufacturers using grains and oilseeds grown from certified seed get the assurance of starting with the best ingredients available and consumers buying products made with certified seed can be confident they are spending money on quality foods made with quality ingredients._x000D_
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Additionally, growers receive premiums for specific varieties by demonstrating they used certified seed, and end-users can be certain they are buying grain and oilseeds grown with the characteristics they expect._x000D_
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Research and development by plant breeders results in improved varieties, often with new specialty traits, and certified seed is the way to get the best of that variety every year. With certified seed, you also get access to risk management programs and agronomic support from seed suppliers. Seed variety developers and distributors stand behind their certified seed._x000D_
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Additionally, land use requirements in certified seed production reduce the risk of other varieties emerging from dormant seed of previous crops. Land rotation and isolation protocols ensure purity, and crop segregation during harvest, handling and processing by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)-registered seed establishments maintain purity. You can be certain about the seed’s purity, identity, pedigree and traceability, because it’s produced under stringent, federally regulated requirements overseen by auditors officially recognized by the CFIA. These requirements produce a cleaner certified seed crop._x000D_
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Have confidence in your brand, understand it and stand by it.
