AMES, Iowa – The seed’s quality is one of the most critical factors determining a cover crop’s success.

Farmers and the seed industry need to know what they’re putting into the planter will germinate, and that the seed is pure.

Terry Basol, a field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, encourages those who plant or sell cover crop seed to take advantage of the testing services offered by the Seed Laboratory at Iowa State University.

The lab provides various seed testing services, including those required by federal cover crop programs and for selling cover crop seed.

Samples can be submitted in bags issued by the lab or in quart-size plastic bags, with the type of seed and date of harvest clearly marked. The lab will send out up to 10 sample bags free of charge upon request.

Kim North, a seed analyst at the lab, said the harvest date is essential because recently harvested seeds – those harvested within the past 6-9 months, require a prechilling period to break the seed’s dormancy.

When information is missing, the lab contacts whoever sent the seed, and the testing process can be delayed by several days. The prechilling process itself takes five days or more to complete.

The Seed Lab provides a Cover Crop submission form for producers to complete on their website, which includes the test options, the date of harvest, and the contact information.

Costs for testing vary depending on the type and quantity of tests the producer wants. Basol said the cost is minimal compared to the peace of mind in knowing the seed will perform.

“When you get results from the lab, you know everything was evaluated according to a standardized process,” he said. “Many farmers rely on word of mouth for their cover crop seeds, but the test helps provide some certainty.”

Basol said farmers planning to save and replant cover crop seed that they’re harvesting should double-check to make sure it’s not patented and/or licensed, as this would cause them to violate patent rights and seed agreements of the seed company and risk a patent infringement lawsuit. Although many cover crops can legally be replanted, it’s important to check with the supplier or seed company to be sure.

The Seed Lab Website provides information about how to package seed samples and send them to the lab. Seed can be mailed to the lab or dropped off in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The lab also has a drop box for 24-7 delivery.

For more information, the Seed Lab can be reached at 515-294-6826 or email seedlab@iastate.edu.

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