Why plant Certified Seed? Why not use grain in the bin? This is a common question raised by all farmers at one time or another. Many take a backward approach of “what can I get by with?” rather than “what is best for top production?” Planting certified seed is a key ingredient to top yields…. Continue reading
It has been a good year for wheat testing so far. Over 300 samples have been processed in the lab with the average germination for red wheat of 97.08% and 97.99% for white wheat. Quality was very good with little disease pressure. This year’s bright seed allowed very good identification of contrasting classes such as… Continue reading
In June, MCIA completed the purchase of a Q-SAGE Precision Air Screen Cleaner, this replaced the retired Crippen Fanning mill. Made in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, this state-of-the-art addition to our seed cleaning procedure will provide increased capacity while distributing excellent seed and grain processing. The Q-SAGE upgrade will deliver optimal mill function with a 4-s… Continue reading
Is sprouting good or a bad? The answer depends on the application. For most of us, sprouted wheat is on our mind – which is bad. But we can learn something from the malting industry where sprout is a good thing. Malt is a result of sprouted barley. Barley is exposed to all the conditions… Continue reading
Tetrazolium Test (TZ Test) using Triphenyl Chloride The TZ test is a quick, mostly 24-hour test used to estimate germination and seed lot vigor. Farmers will request this TZ test in conjunction with a germination test, theoretically both ending test results should be similar. First the seeds are imbibed with water, then soaked in a… Continue reading
Black Nightshade is a weed that you do not want in your field as a producer in the Seed Industry. Above are pictures of Nightshade at three different growth stages that found in soybean fields last inspection season. A very distinct description of this weed is the berries on the plant, along with white/light pink… Continue reading
An AA Test is very complex, yet simple. The test implies exactly how the name is portrayed; artificially ages seeds by exposing them to a stressful environment allowing seed respiration levels to increase. The AA Test can be used to predict storability of a seed lot, as well as, determining the vigor of a seed… Continue reading
What does a Germination test tell you? More than you think. There is a forensic science of seed germination. Sometimes non-viable seed is an indication of what is going on in the seed lot. It could be mechanical damage, seed treatment toxicity, old dead seed, or storage mold due to higher seed moisture contents or… Continue reading
Michigan is home to the SEED corn capitol of the world – Constantine, Michigan. People often think of Iowa, Illinois, or Indiana when they think of corn because of the vast acres of the crop. However, a good SEED production environment is not always the same as that for crop production. Corn SEED production is… Continue reading
Lauren Mezo is the new weed free guru for MCIA. At times there are markets for straw, used as mulch on new grass seedings, to be certified free of noxious weeds. An inspection in a wheat field can be made prior to harvest (and baling) to verify straw is clean. This certification is complete with… Continue reading