minutes of the 2016 grass and legume advisory...

Minutesofthe2016GrassandLegumeAdvisoryCommittee

December14th,2016

CropScienceBldgRm138,Corvallis,OR

Memberspresent:BruceMcKee,DustinWithee,MaryBethMenard,JoeyMcAlhanyJr.,DougPickles,RogerRuckert,

BrianParker,KevinLoe,ColinScott,JayNoller,DanCurry,DennisLundeen,DaveStimpson,TamiBrown,Andrew

Hulting,AustinLanzarone(proxyforKateHartnell)

Otherspresent:JoshBrawley,SeanChaney,KellyLynch,RachelHankins,JohnZielinski,MaryBeuthin,AndyAltishin,

OscarGutbrod,BarrySchrumpf

1. CalltoOrder,Introductions.(MaryBethMenard,Chair)

MaryBethcalledthemeetingtoorderat12:35PMandaskedforeveryonetosigninandgiveupdatedemail.

2. Changes/additionstoagenda.

Nochangesoradditionswererequested.

3. ApprovalofMinutesfromthe2015meeting.NewGrass&LegumeAdvisoryCommitteeBy-Lawsincludedin

packetrepresentingtitlechangesofUniversitystaffpresentedtomembershipasvotedonin2015meeting.

BrianParkermovedtoaccepttheminutesandthenewBy-Lawsaswrittenwithnochanges,motionwas

secondedbyKevinLoeandpassedunanimously.

4. Item1–Varietieslistedonbentgrassstandards.(BrianP.)(GLAC1:updatetocreepingbentgrass

standards,GLAC2:BarrySchrumpfreport,GLAC3:Tee-2-Green2015request)

BrianParkerrequestedtorevisittheproposalfromTee-2-Greenthathadbeentabledin2015toupdatethe

creepingbentgrassstandards.Discussioninvolvedwhatthecurrentstandardsareandwhatrestrictionsthe

industryhasincluding‘greens’and‘fairway’industrystandards.BarryS.hadsentahistoricalsummaryto

BrianP.beforethemeetingandBrianP.referredtoitstatingthatheunderstoodbetterwhatthesituation

was(GLAC2).Heexplainedthathehadn’trealizedthattherewerestandardsforspecificvarieties.BarryS.

explainedthatwhereanalternativevarietyspecificstandardhasbeenestablishedbytheCertificationBoard,

thenanycompanymayrequestthattheirvarietybelistedunderthatstandard.BarryS.alsoexplainedthat

establishing,changing,ordeletingvariety-specificstandardsmustgothroughtheAdvisoryCommitteeand

theBoard;however,addingordeletingvarietiesto/fromanexistingvarietyspecificstandardcanbedone

GLAC Minutes 2016 1

administrativelyuponreceivingawrittenrequestfromthevarietyowner.AndyA.retrievedcopyofthe

originalrequestfromTee-2-Greenfrom2015(GLAC3).Afterreceivingthisinformation,themotionwas

proposedbyBrianP.toremovethetwocolumnsrequestedtosimplifytheCreepingbentgrassstandards.

ColinS.seconded;themotioncarriedunanimously.

5. Item2–Updateisolationrequirementsforconsistency.(MaryB.)(GLAC1&4:updatetocreepingbentgrass

aswellasotherapplicablespecies)

MaryBeuthinpresentedtheproposaltoupdatethebentgrassisolationrequirementforfieldslessthan5

acres,andincludedallspeciesinwhichthebentgrassstandardswereusedasatemplatetocreate.Thisisa

historicaltypodatingbacktothechangefromrodstofeet.ThemotionmadebyBrianP.toacceptasMary

hadproposed,secondedbyColinS;passedunanimously.

MaryB.thenrequestedasecondactiontoremoveastatementfromthecreepingbentgrassstandardsthatis

nolongernecessaryasitishandledapartfromthestandards.Brian.Pmovedtoaccept,ColinS.seconded;

themotioncarriedunanimously.

6. Item3–UpdateTeffstandards.(TamiB.)(GLAC5)

TamiBrownproposedanupdatetotheTeffstandardsthattheseedlingapplicationdeadlinebechangedfrom

60daysto15daysafterplantingandthecropinspectionbechangedfromApril15toJune1or15days

whicheveroccurslast.Teff,awarmseasongrass,isplantedlatespringorearlysummerandgrowsquickly;

thischangeremovesthelatecropfeepenaltyforthegrowerwhilealsospeedingtheapplicationtotheOSCS

officetoensuretimelyinspection.BruceM.askedifthestandardshouldbewordedsimilartotheexisting

radishstandards.TamiB.explainedthattheupdatebeingrequesteduseslanguagesimilartothesmallgrains

standard.AfterdiscussingBrianP.movedtoacceptthestandardchangeaswritten,KevinL.seconded;the

motioncarriedunanimously.

7. Item4–UpdateSeashorePaspalumstandards.(TamiB.)(GLAC6)

TamiB.proposedanupdatetotheSeashorePaspalumstandardstoreducetheseedlingapplicationdatefrom

60daysto15daysafterplanting.Seashorepaspalumisawarmseasongrassthatspreadsquicklythrough

rhizomes.Thiswouldprotectthegrowerfrompossiblerejectionfromrowclosureatinspection.BrianP.

movedtoacceptaswritten,KevinL.seconded;themotioncarriedunanimously.

8. Item5–UpdateSoybeanstandards.(TamiB.)(GLAC7)

TamiB.proposedachangetotheSoybeanstandardsrequestingthattherebeaflowerinspectionrequiredfor

bothFoundationandRegisteredclasses.DaveStimpsonnotedthatforsoybeanallclassesshouldhavea

GLAC Minutes 2016 2

flowerinspection,notjustFoundationandRegisteredclasses.ColinS.askedwhatothercertificationagencies

doforsoybeaninspection.MaryB.mentionedthatforallclassesoffieldbeansaflowerinspectionisrequired

inOregon.Thequestionofincludingallclassesintotherequestwassuggested.BruceM.recommended

revisitingtheissueofflowerinspectionforCertifiedclassnextyearfollowinginvestigationintothematter.

BrianP.movedtoaccepttheproposalaswrittenforflowerinspectionrequiredatFoundationandRegistered

classandre-addressnextyearforaflowerinspectionatthecertifiedclass,JoeMcAlhaneyJr.seconded;the

motioncarriedunanimously.

9. Otherbusiness:

Nootherbusinesswassuggested.

11.Reports:

• CollegeofAgriculture/CropandSoilScienceDepartment(JayNoller)(GLAC8)

JayN.gavehisCSSreportmentioningnewfacultyandfacultysearchesaswellasthefiscalbudgetnot

beingincreasedthiscomingyear(GLAC8).

• OSUSeedServices(DanCurry)(GLAC9&10)

DanC.handedoutanupdateforboththeOSUSeedLab,aswellasOSCS(GLAC9).Healsopresented

theruleproposalforperennialryegrassthatwillbepresentedtotheAOSAthiscomingyear(GLAC

10).Theproposalfocusesonchangingthereportingbasedonfluorescenceto‘OtherRyegrass’,

insteadofforcingalabelofeitherannualorperennialryegrass.Herequestedamotionfromthe

committeetomoveforwardwiththisproposaltotheAOSA.BrianP.movedtosupportthe

Northwestlabs,KevinL.seconded;themotioncarriedunanimously.

• OregonSeedCertificationService(DennisLundeen)(GLAC11)

DennisL.updatedthecommitteeontheactivitiesinCertificationfromthepastyear.Twomain

pointswasthattheacrespassedremainedaboutthesameaspreviousyears,andthattheofficestaff

havechangedforcertificationduetoretirementofallthepreviousstaff.Thisyearisalso100years

ofcertificationinOregon,itstartedin1916withpotatoesandhasgrownto84differentcrops.

• OregonStateSeedLaboratory(DavidStimpson)(GLAC12)

DaveS.gaveanupdateontheseedlab.Newofficeassistant:CindyMiddlebrook.Samplesstill

cominginandnumberslookokay;thebackloghasbeenunder7daysfortheyear.Healso

mentionedanewrulechangethatmightgointoaffectandwouldchangetheabilitytoshipseed.

PalmerAmaranthisapigweedthatisnearlyimpossibletoidentifyfromotherpigweedseeds.Ithas

beenclassifiedasnoxiousinOhioandprohibitedinMinnesota,oneproblemistheherbicide

resistanceofpalmeramaranth.Iftheseedlabcan’tfindawaytoidentifythisweed,itwouldbe

listedasamaranthsp.ontheseedtestandthelotwouldberejectedfromthosetwostates.Thelabis

lookingforwaystoidentifytheweedincludinggrowoutsandflowcytometry.DaveS.promisedto

continuetoinvestigateandtokeepthecommitteeinformed.

• OregonDepartmentofAgriculture(RonPence)

GLAC Minutes 2016 3

RonP.wasnotpresent.RachelH.(secretaryoftheconditionersmeeting)gaveanabbreviatedreport

fortheODAbasedonthepresentationofRandyBlackattheConditionersAdvisoryMeeting.Randy

B.introducedNateMillerwhowouldbereplacinghimselfonmanytasksallowinghimtofocuson

industrialhemp.

12. Elect2016Vice-chairmanfromOSArepresentativeswhowouldthenbecomecommitteechairin2017.

MaryBethopenedthefloorfornominationsforthenewViceChairfor2017.Thecommitteeaskedforalist

ofnameswhowouldbeeligible.TamiB.usedthecurrentmemberlistandreadofftheOSAmembersthat

couldbenominatedforViceChair.AustinLanzarone(presentasproxytoKateHartnell)nominatedKate

Hartnellasvicechair;passedunanimously.

13. AppointGLACrepresentativetoattendupcomingCertificationBoardmeetingandpresentGLAC

recommendations.

BrianP.volunteeredtobetherepresentativetotheBoard.

14.Selectdateandtimeofnextannualmeeting.

ThedateforthenextannualmeetingwasagreedtobetheWednesdayfollowingtheSeedLeagueMeetingin

SalemfollowingtheConditionersAdvisoryCommittee,Dec6th,2017.Thelocationwasleftopen,withthe

LinnCoExtensionofficeaviableoption.

15. Adjourn.

MaryBethdeclaredthemeetingoverat1:50.BrianP.movedtoadjourn,DougP.seconded,themotion

passedunanimously.

Respectfullysubmitted,

TamiBrown,SecretaryDecember28,2016Enclosures MotionsforconsiderationbytheCertificationBoard,Pg5 ListofCommitteeMembers,Pg6-7 VarietySpecificStandards,BarrySchrumpf,Pg9-20 Tee2GreenRequest2015,Pg21 UpdatestoStandardsApproved,Pg8,22-30 Handoutsfromthemeeting,Pg31-42 CC DanArp,CollegeofAgriculturalSciences,OSU JoyceLoper,AssociateDean,CollegeofAgriculturalSciences,OSU DonnieBlades,President,OregonGrowersLeague ScottHarer,President,OregonSeedLeague

GLAC Minutes 2016 4

ActionItems

2016Grass&LegumeAdvisoryMeeting

1. Updatecreepingbentgrassstandards.RemovethetwocolumnsontherightoftheSeedStandards

section,updatingthecultivarlistatthesametime.Removestatement:“FieldsofPennlinks,Penneagle,

PennA-1,PennA-2,PennG-1,PennG-2,PennG-6andSeasideIIarelimitedto5seedcropsfollowingthe

establishmentyear.”

2. Updatecreepingbentgrass,Idahobentgrass,redtopbentgrass,velvetbentgrass,Bermudagrass,and

creepingbluegrassstandardstocorrectatyporevertingallfieldisolationsfrom300ftto330ftfor

Certifiedclassfieldslessthan5acres.

3. Updatetheteffstandards:reducetheseedlingapplicationsignupfrom60daysto15days,changethe

cropsignuptoJune1or15daysafterplanting.

4. Updatetheseashorepaspalumstandards:reduceseedlingapplicationsignupfrom60daysto15days.

5. Updatethesoybeanstandards:requireaflowerinspectionatFoundationandRegisteredclass.

GLAC Minutes 2016 5

2016 Grass and Legume Advisory Committee Oregon Certification, Foundation Seed and Plant Materials Board

Name Affiliation Address Term* Bruce McKee

Oregon Seed Growers League

22450 SW McKee Rd Amity, OR 97101 [email protected]

2018

Dustin Withee Oregon Seed Association Smith Seeds [email protected]

2016

Brett Freeborn Oregon Seed Association

Mt. View Seeds [email protected]

2016

Kate Hartnell Oregon Seed Association

Saddle Butte Ag 2016 PO Box 50 Shedd, Oregon 97377 541-619-529 [email protected]

2017

Mary Beth Menard Chair

Oregon Seed Association

Seed Research of Oregon 27630 Llewellyn Road Corvallis, OR 97333 [email protected]

2017

Joey McAlhany, Jr. Oregon Seed Association

OreGro Seeds, Inc. 33080 Red Bridge Rd. SE Albany, OR 97322 [email protected]

2018

Doug Pickles Oregon Seed Association Lewis Seed Company PO Box 100 ; 31810 Fayetteville Dr. Shedd, OR 97377 [email protected]

2017

Roger Ruckert Oregon Seed Growers League

33776 Ridge Dr. Albany, OR 97389 [email protected]

2017

Brian Parker Vice Chair


96476 Smith Ln Junction City, OR 97448 [email protected]

2018

Kevin Loe


5648 Evans Valley Rd Silverton, OR 97381 [email protected]

2018

Travis Feigner Oregon Seed Growers League

7335 NE Ward Drive Madras, OR 97741 [email protected]

2016

Gary Crossan Oregon Seed Growers League

34474 Weber Dr Shedd, OR 97377 [email protected]

2016

Colin Scott Turfgrass Breeders Association

Grassland Oregon 4455 60th Avenue Salem Oregon 97305 503-566-9900 [email protected]

2017

Andrew Hulting OSU Extension Service Weed Management Specialist

Department of Crop and Soil Science 337 Crop Science Building Corvallis, OR 97331 [email protected]

Appointment Voting

Nicole Anderson OSU Extension Service Field Crops Washington, Yamhill & Polk Counties

Yamhill County Extension Office 2050 NE Lafayette Ave. McMinnville, OR 97128 [email protected]

Appointment Voting

GLAC Minutes 2016 6

2016 Grass and Legume Advisory Committee Oregon Certification, Foundation Seed and Plant Materials Board

Name Affiliation Address Term* Darrin Walenta OSU Extension Service

Field Crops Union, Baker & Wallowa Counties

Union County Extension Office 10507 North McAlister Rd. Rm. 9 La Grande, OR 97850 [email protected]

Appointment Voting

Reed Barker

OSU Grass Genomics

1962 Davcor Ct SE Salem, OR 97302 [email protected]

Appointment Voting

Jay Noller OSU, Crop and Soil Science Department Head

109 Crop Science Bldg., OSU Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 737-2821 [email protected]

Ex Officio Nonvoting

Dan Curry OSU, Crop and Soil Science, Seed Services Director

351B Crop Science Bldg., OSU Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 737-5094 [email protected]


Dennis Lundeen OSU Extension Specialist Seed Certification Manager

31 Crop Science Bldg., OSU Corvallis, OR 97331-3003 (541) 737-4513 [email protected]


Dave Stimpson OSU Seed Laboratory Manager

3291 Campus Way Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 737-4464 [email protected]


Ron Pence Oregon Department of Agriculture, Commodity Inspection Division Assistant Administrator

635 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97301-2532 (503) 986-4620 [email protected]


Tami Brown Committee Secretary

OSU Extension Specialist Seed Certification

31 Crop Science Bldg., OSU Corvallis, OR 97331-3003 (541) 737-4513 [email protected]

Appointment Nonvoting

* Term expires at the end of the annual Certification Board Meeting in February of the following year.

GLAC Minutes 2016 7

CERTIFICATION STANDARDS CREEPING BENTGRASS

(Agrostis stolonifera var. palustris) Revised February 14, 2016

Oregon Seed Certification Service http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/

Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service (OSCS) Handbook are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Creeping bentgrass standards. Varieties Certified: Varieties and classes eligible for planting may be found in the OSCS Handbook. These standards do not include Penncross Creeping bentgrass. Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to any Agrostis species for five years, unless previous crop was of the same variety, class and certified. Creeping bentgrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification Office prior to planting. Field Inspections: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced. Fields of Pennlinks, Penneagle, Penn A-1, Penn A-2, Penn A-4, Penn G-1, Penn G-2, Penn G-6 and Seaside II are limited to 5 seed crops following the establishment year. Field Standards:

Class of seed produced

Maximum permitted Other Varieties1

Isolation Requirements2

Less than 5 acres More than 5 acres

Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 660 ft. 300 ft. Certified 2.0% 330 ft.3 165 ft.

Seed Standards: (Minimum Sample Size – 1/4 Pound)

Factor Foundation (White tag)

Registered (Purple tag)

Certified (Blue tag)

A-1, A-2 A-4, G-1 G-2, G-6

** Certified

(Blue tag)

Penneagle Penneagle II


Pennlinks PennLinks II Seaside II Certified

(Blue tag)

Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum None 0.10% 0.50%4 0.04%5 0.50% 0.25%4 Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% Weed seed6, maximum None 0.10% 0.25% 0.03% 0.10% 0.10% Mouse-ear chickweed and Annual bluegrass None None 0.05% None --- --- Weed seed, GROUP A7, singly or combined combined None None 180/lb. None 180/lb. 180/lb.

Weed seed, GROUP B8, singly or combined combined --- --- --- None 1800/lb. 1800/lb.

Germination, minimum 85% 85% 85% 85% 85% 85% Appearance: Bentgrass seed lots composed of 75% or more hulled (groated) seed will not be certified unless blended with unhulled certified eligible lots of seed in reasonable amount to present good appearance of less than 75%. ** Cultivars subject to this variety specific standard are: Penn A-1, Penn A-4, Crystal BlueLinks, Penneagle II, PennLinks II, Pure Distinction, Pure Select, Seaside II

1 Includes off-type plants. 2 This distance must be maintained between all other varieties, such as Colonial and Velvet bentgrass. For additional details, section IV, D in the OSCS Handbook. 3 Certified class fields less than 5 acres must be 165 ft. from all Velvet bentgrass. 4 Other bentgrass species limited to 1.00% in Seaside Creeping bentgrass. 5 No Rough bluegrass allowed. 6 None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V in the OSCS Handbook, nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. No Annual bluegrass allowed in Penneagle, Pennlinks, Penn A-1, Penn A-2, Penn A-4, Penn G-1, Penn G-2, or Penn G-6 seed. 7 GROUP A – Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel, and St. Johnswort. 8 GROUP B – Shepherds purse, Mouse-ear chickweed, Yarrow, and Speedwell.

GLAC 1

GLAC Minutes 2016 8

GLAC2

VarietySpecificStandards(atermdefinedfor,andusedinthispaper)

ReviewBarrySchrumpf

December14,2016Introduction.Inthe2015Grass&LegumeAdvisoryCommittee,therewaspresentedawrittenrequestfromTee-2-GreenCorp.requestingchangestotheCreepingbentgrassSeedStandards;therequestwasintwoparts:(1)Simplifythestandardbyeliminatingtwoofthethreesetsofhighermechanicalstandards,and(2)toassigneightvarietiestotheremainingsetofhighermechanicalstandards.DiscussionoftheTee-2-Greenrequestraisedthefollowing:

(1) Thesearecompanystandardsandshouldbehandledinproductioncontracts.(2) Thesedon’taddressvarietaldifferences.(3) Thesecauseconcernforthecomplexityoftheprogramifthisweretoproliferatetoother

cropstandards.

ThefollowingisintendedtoprovidebackgroundforfurtherdiscussionofVarietySpecificStandards(VSS)-requirementsspecifiedforavarietyandusedindeterminingeligibilityforSeedCertification.Basicrequirements.FederalSeedActRegulationssetfieldandseedstandardspertainingtofieldhistory,isolation,othervarietiesandoff-type,andzeroorrestrictedtoleranceforProhibitedorRestrictedweedseeds,respectively;theFSARegulationsdonotaddressmechanicalstandardsforOtherCropandWeedSeed(U.S.GPO,2016).TheAssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgencies(AOSCA)CertificationHandbookincludesthefollowing:

“ThispublicationcontainstheGeneticandCropStandardsoftheAssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgencieswhicharetherequirements(rules,procedures,andstandards)developedforcertifyingseedandotherpropagatingmaterials.Theseareminimumrequirements.Nomemberagencymayestablishstandardslowerinanyrespect,butmayestablishhigherstandards.Theprimarypurposeofseedcertificationistomaintaingeneticpurityandvarietalidentity.Asanadditionalservice,includedinthispublicationarestandardsinvolvingsuchfactorsasphysicalqualityanddisease.Foragencieschoosingtoimplementmechanicalstandards,thepublicationincludesAOSCAminimumsrelatedtophysicalquality,minimumgermination,anddiseaserestrictions”(AOSCA,2016a).

Inthe1960’s,therewasdiscussionandaproposalwithinAOSCAtoremovemechanicalstandards,butsomeeastcoastseedsmen,agriculturalextensionagentsandseedcontrolofficialsstronglyopposedsuchamove.Acompromiseleadtotheoptionalprovisioncontained

GLAC Minutes 2016 9

GLAC2

intheAOSCA,2016acitation,above.SomeseedsmeninOregonalsointendedtocapitalizeontheadvantagesresultingfromOregon’sclimatetoproducehighqualityseedandsoughttoreflectthatadvantageintheOregoncertificationseedstandards(Brewer,2016).Kindsofvarietyspecificstandards,thislistprobablyisnotexhaustive:

• SeedmaybeofferedforsaleonlyasaclassofCertifiedseed.ThisisaspecificationdeterminedbytheoriginatorofthevarietyandispublishedinthevarietyreleasedocumentandintheapplicationtoenterthevarietyintoSeedCertification.

• Generationspermitted.ThesearespecifiedbytheoriginatorofthevarietyatthetimeapplicationismadetoenterthevarietyintoSeedCertification.Aspecificationofgenerationspermittedmaysubsequentlybeamendedbywrittenrequestfromtheoriginatorofavariety.

• LengthofStand(LOS).ThisisspecifiedforeachpermittedgenerationbytheoriginatorofthevarietyatthetimeapplicationismadetoenterthevarietyintoSeedCertification.AspecificationofLOSmaysubsequentlybeamendedbywrittenrequestfromtheoriginatorofavariety.

• Nocertifiedharvestduringtheseedlingyear.ThismaybespecifiedbytheoriginatorofthevarietyatthetimeapplicationismadetoenterthevarietyintoSeedCertification,andmaybeamendedinwritingbytheoriginator.

• Certifiedseedproductionmayhavegeographicrestrictions.ThismaybespecifiedbytheoriginatorofthevarietyinthevarietyreleasedocumentandatthetimeapplicationismadetoenterthevarietyintoSeedCertification,andmaybeamendedinwritingbytheoriginator.Example:KenstarRedclover;“Westof98°longitude,foundationandcertifiedseedmustbeproducedabove40°latitude”(Taylor,1973)

• VarietyFluorescenceLevel(VFL).Maybespecifiedbytheoriginatorofthevarietyandmaybeamendedinwritingbytheoriginator(AOSCA,2016b)

• Variant,naturallyoccurringanddistinctwithinavarietyanddescribedbythebreeder(AOSCA,2016c).Thesemaybephenotypicvariants,e.g.tallertypes,orseedvariants,e.g.redkernelsinwhitewheat.

• Erucicacidandglucosinolatecontentmustbedeterminedandbedescribedbytheplantbreederforeachvariety(OSCS,2016a).

• AdditionalCertificationRequirements,testingrequiredtoconfirmthepresenceofnon-visualtraits(AOSCA,2016d)

• Groweraffidavitofanagronomicpractice(OSCS,2016b)• QualityStandard:PureSeed• MechanicalStandards:OtherCrop,WeedSeedandViability

GLAC Minutes 2016 10

GLAC2

Examplesofexistingvarietyspecificstandards:

v SeedofCritanaThickpsikewheatgrassmaycontainupto30%Slenderwheatgrass(AOSCA,2016e).

v Astoria(apublicvariety)Colonialbentgrasswaspermitted4%Inertwhilethecropstandardwas2%1,andExeterColonialhasastricterOtherCropstandardthantheColonialblue-tagstandardOSCS,2016c).

v ReubensandSupranovaBluegrasswereallowedagreaterInerttolerance(OSCS,2016d).v AmericaandMerionKentuckybluegrasswereallowedagreaterinerttolerance(OSCS,2016e).v KentuckybluegrasstoleranceinColt,Laser,LaserII,andSabreRoughbluegrass(OSCS,2016f)v Astor,Bison,Polly,andTetreliteIntermediateryegrassvarietiesrequirestricterPureseed

tolerance(OSCS,2016g).v Perennialryegrassvarietiesarespecifiedaseithermeeting99%totalryegrassor97%.Within

theformer,LinnPerennialmayhave85%minimumgermination,ratherthan90%.Withinthesetofvarietiesrequiring97%totalryegrass,avarietymayrequireeither90%or85%min.germ(OSCS,2016h).

EvolutionofCreepingbentgrassstandardsinOregon:ThefirstgrasstocompletetheseedcertificationprocedureinOregon(fieldinspection,seedexamination,bagging,sealingandtagging)wasAstoriaColonialbentgrassin1926;SeasideCreepingbentgrasswascertifiedin1927.Fieldstandardspermitted0.5%otherkindsofbentgrass;seedstandardslimitedweedseedtonomorethan1.0%(Hyslop,1930).Dr.Hyslop(Head,FarmCropsDepartment,OregonAgriculturalCollege)stated:

“TheOregongrownseedcontainingevenonepercentofweedseedsissomuchbetterthanmuchofthebentgrassseedthat iscommonlyofferedonthemarketthatweconsideritverygoodandareplanningtocontinuetaggingsuchasblue-tagseed.”Also,“Thestandards thathavebeenadopted…..wereconsidered tobevery rigid……andsome growers criticized them because of the strict requirements, particularly inconnection with some of the weed seeds difficult to separate. However, we haveconsistentlyadheredtothisrigidcertificationsystemandaimtopassnolotsofseedwhichcarrymorethananestimateofonepercentofweedseeds.”

For1931,Dr.Hyslopplannedahighergradeofseedwithnomorethan0.25%weedseed.

“This purple-tag quality is so good that it will do away with a great deal of handweedinginthegreens,andofcourseitwillcommandabetterprice.“The whole idea in connection with certification has been to enable the variousgrowerstoputastandardproductonthemarketandtoassurethecustomerthatheisgettingasatisfactoryproduct.Bymeansofcarefulcertificationandhighstandards

1Forthemostpart,AstoriabentgrasswasgrownonpeatsoilsaroundClatskanie;thesefieldscouldnotbeburned,Ergotwasprevalentandthepercentinertwashigher(Brewer,1999andBrewer,2005).


GLAC2

wehopetomaintainacontinuedprofitablemarketfortheOregonbentgrassseeds”(Hyslop,1930).2

The1936“RulesforBentGrassSeedCertificationinOregon”pertainedtoAstoriabent,Seasidebent,HighlandbentandRhode Islandbent (Hyslop,G.R.,E.R. JackmanandH.E.Finnell,1936)–onesetofstandardsforallspeciesofbentgrass.1947BentgrassSeedCertificationStandardsappliedtoallbentgrassspecies,andspecificallyAstoriabent,Seasidebent,Highlandbent,RhodeIslandorColonialbent,andVelvetbent(Finnell,H.E.,E.C.Johnson,andG.W.Dewey,1947)PenncrossCreepingbentgrasswasreleasedin1955andstandardsspecifictoPenncrosswerepreparedfor1956(Finnell,H.E.,G.W.DeweyandG.W.Clark,1956).Inthatyear,theprogramcontinuedwiththeBentgrassstandardsthathadbeeninplacesincethe1930’splusthoseforPenncross.SeparatestandardsappeartohavebeenpreparedforPenncrosstospecifytherepeatedthree-rowpatternplantedwithFoundationclassstolons;Penncrossseedwasafirstgenerationcrossfromrandomcrossofthethreeclones(Hein,1958)By1965,theBentgrassstandardshadbeensplit,withHighland,HolfierandExeterColonialbeinginonesetofstandards,andAstoriaColonialandSeasideCreepinginaseparateset.Withinthelatter,AstoriaandSeasidehadseparatesetsofseedstandards(Brewer,D.H.,W.E.Sieveking,andH.Youngberg,1965).Forthefirsttime,the1966OregonCertifiedSeed(handbook)includedaseparatesetofstandardsfortheCreepingbentgrass;Seasidewasnamedatthetopoftheseedstandards,theOtherCrop,max.andWeedSeed,max.werethesameasproposedbyDr.Hyslopforthe1931crop(0SCS,1966).From1966tothepresent,ColonialBentgrassstandardshaveincludedseparatecolumnsofseedstandards,firstforAstoria,andsubsequentlyforAstoriaandExeter(OSCS,2016c).In1973,thevarietyEmeraldwasaddedtotheCreepingbentgrassstandards(OSCS,1973);fortheprevious46years,SeasidehadbeentheonlyCreepingbentgrassvarietycertifiedinOregon.In1974,atthevarietyoriginator’srequest,aseparatesetofstandardswereestablishedforEmeraldthatpermittedmoreOtherCrop:1.0%comparedto0.5%(OSCS,1974).By1980,fiveCreepingbentgrassvarietieshadbeenenteredintoOregonSeedCertification(Seaside,Emerald,Prominent,Carmen,andPenneagle);theCreepingbentgrassstandardsincludedthreesetsofCertifiedclassstandards,oneforthecrop,oneforthevarietyEmerald,andoneforthevarietyPenneagle.ThestandardsforPenneaglewerestricterforWeedSeedthanwasthecropstandard,0.10%comparedto0.25%,andaddedaGroupBWeedSeeds(OSCS,1980).

2Atthissametime,Canadianstandardsforcolonialandcreepingbentwere“about95percentpureseed…..andweedseedimpuritiesrarelyexceed1/5of1percent”(LeLacheur,1930).


GLAC2

In1987,theCreepingbentgrassstandardsaddedanadditionalsetofstandardsspecifictothevarietyPennlinksandmorestrictthanthecropstandardswithregardtoOtherCropandWeedSeed,andalsoincludedtheGroupBWeedSeeds.Fourcompanieshadvarietiesentered(OSCS,1987).Forthe1998Creepingbentgrassstandards,thesetofmechanicalstandardsspecifictoEmeraldweredropped,andasetspecifictothevarietiesA-1,A-2,A-4,G-1,G-2,andG-6wereadded.Thislattersetofmechanicalstandardswerestricterthanthecropstandard:OtherCrop,0.04%comparedto0.50%,WeedSeed,0.03%comparedto0.25%,andnoAnnualbluegrassnorRoughbluegrassseedwereallowed.Thirty-twovarietieshadbeenenteredforcertification(OSCS,1998).For2006,PenneagleIIandPennLinksIIwereaddedtoexistingstandardsspecifictoPenneagleandPennlinks,respectively.AreviewofMinutesfromtheGrass&LegumeAdvisoryCommitteeandfromtheBoardrevealsthateachtimetheCreepingbentgrassstandardswerechanged,theproposalwentbeforebothgroupsforavote.However,whenthestandardswerenotchanged,butonlyadditionsofvarietynamesweremadetosetsofexistingvarietyspecificstandards,thenthishasbeenhandledadministrativelywithintheSeedCertificationoffice.Thisadministrativeactionwasconsistentwiththesametakenwhenaperennialryegrassvarietyoriginatorwouldrequestinwriting,are-assignmentoftheirvarietytoadifferentpurityorviabilitystandard.The2015Grass&LegumeAdvisoryCommitteetabledarequestfromTee-2-Greento(a)removetwosetsofvarietyspecificmechanicalstandards,and(b)tore-assignspecificvarietiestotheremainingsetofvarietyspecificmechanicalstandards.TheaccompanyingdiscussionaddressedthetopicslistedintheIntroductionofthisReview(GrassandLegumeAdvisoryCommittee,2015).Thesesametopics,oronessimilarlyexpressed,occurredinpreviousGrass&LegumeCommitteemeetingswhenproposalsforvarietyspecificmechanicalstandardswerebeforethecommittee.ThefollowingisfromtheDecember10,1997MinutesoftheGrass&LegumeAdvisoryCommittee:“MembersoftheCommitteewerehopefulthatavariety-specific,ratherthancrop-specific,approachtothestandardswouldnotbecomethenorm,especiallysincetheseconcernscanbehandledcontractually.Therewasnoobjectiontoestablishingmorestringentstandardswhenrequested”(GrassandLegumeAdvisoryCommittee,1997).BentgrassesforGolfCoursesRegardingthebentgrassseedindustryineasternCanada,LeLacheur(1930)wroteit“haditsorigininthedeclineofGermanmixedbentimportsduringtheWorldWarandintheinsistentdemandtosupplythenewgolfcourseswhichwererapidlyestablishedonthereturnofpeace.”ItwasatthistimethatseededbentgrassvarietiesfromOregon(Astoria,Highland,andSeaside)begantobemarketedforgolfcourseuse(Schoth,1930).Rogers(1991)notedtheproblemthat“seededcreepingbentgrassesinthepasttendedtosegregate,developingpatchesofdistinctgrassesingolfgreens.Notonlydidthislookbad,butitaffectedmaintenanceandplayability.”


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RogerswentontosayPenncrosscreepingbentgrass“significantlyreducesthisproblem,andhasbeenthestandardsinceitsintroductionin1954.Warnke(2003)wroteregardingthesegregatingpatchesofcreepingbentgrass,citingDr.Duich(1985),ProfessorofTurfgrassScienceatPennsylvaniaStateUniversity,thatfromthebetterappearingpatches“manyhundredsofcloneswereeventuallyselectedandmaintainedvegetativelybytheUnitedStatesGolfAssociationGreenSectionattheArlingtonTurfGardensinArlington,VA.Seasidewasmuchinferiorinturfqualitytothevegetativelypropagated….bentgrasses.Therefore,puttinggreensintheUnitedStateswereprimarilyestablishedvegetativelyuntilthe1950s.”BibliographyAOSCA,2016a.AssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgenciesSeedCertificationHandbook,Introduction,page3.AOSCA,2016b.AssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgencies,ProgramsandServices,GrassVarietyReviewBoard.AccessedNovember22,2016http://www.aosca.orgAOSCA,2016c.AssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgenciesSeedCertificationHandbook,DefinitionsofTerms,page14.AOSCA,2016d.AssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgencies,ProgramsandServices,AdditionalCertificationRequirements.AccessedNovember22,2016http://www.aosca.orgAOSCA,2016e.AssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgenciesSeedCertificationHandbook,Grass(Gramineae)SeedCertificationStandards,SeedStandards,Footnote3,page56.Brewer,D.H.,1999.Personalcommunication;email03February1999.Brewer,D.H.,2005.OregonSeedProduction.OSUSeedCertificationService,Corvallis,OR.Pg.20.Brewer,D.H.,2016.Personalcommunication;email10November2016.Brewer,D.H.,W.E.Sieveking,andH.Youngberg,1965.OregonStateUniversityExtensionServiceAnnualReportofSeedCertification,October1,1964-September30,1965.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]Duich,J.M.,1985.Thebentgrasses.WeedsTreesandTurf.Janyary.Pp.72-78.HarcourtBraceJovanovichPubl.,NewYork.Finnell,H.E.,G.W.Dewey,andG.W.Clark,1956.OregonStateCollegeExtensionServiceAnnualReportofSeedCertification,December1,1955–October31,1956.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]


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Finnell,H.E.,E.C.Johnson,andG.W.Dewey,1947.OregonStateCollegeExtensionServiceAnnualReportofSeedCertification,December1,1946–November30,1947.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]GrassandLegumeAdvisoryCommittee,1997.Minutes.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]GrassandLegumeAdvisoryCommittee,2015.Minutes.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/advcom/grasslegume/grasslegumeminutes15.pdfHein,M.A.,1958.Registrationofvarietiesandstrainsofgrasses.AgronomyJournal50:399.Hyslop,G.R.,1930.Oregonbentgrassseedcertification.BulletinoftheUnitedStatesGolfAssociationGreenSectionVol.10No.11:195-200.Hyslop,G.R.,E.R.JackmanandH.E.Finnell,1936.RulesforBentGrassSeedCertificationinOregon.July1,1936.FarmCropsDepartment,OregonAgriculturalCollege.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]LeLacheur,G.,1930.CanadianCertifiedBentSeed.BulletinoftheUnitedStatesGolfAssociationGreenSectionVol.10No.11:212-213.OSCS,1966.OregonCertifiedSeed.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.20.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,1973.OregonCertifiedSeedHandbook.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.18.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,1974.OregonCertifiedSeedHandbook.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.18.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,1980.OregonCertifiedSeedHandbook.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.17.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,1987.OregonCertifiedSeedHandbook.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.20.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,1998.OregonCertifiedSeedHandbook.CreepingBentgrassSeedStandards,pg.26.[OregonSeedCertificationService,Archivefiles.]OSCS,2016a.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:HybridAnnualRape/TypeCanolaCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/hybrid-rape-canola-standards.pdfOSCS,2016b.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:SmallGrainsCertificationStandards,SpecialRequirements,ItemL2.AccessedNovember22,2016


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http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/small-grains-standards.pdfOSCS,2016c.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:ColonialbentgrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/colonial-bentgrass-standards.pdfOSCS,2016d.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:BluegrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/bluegrass-standards.pdfOSCS,2016e.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:KentuckybluegrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/bluegrass-kentucky-standards.pdfOSCS,2016f.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:KentuckybluegrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/bluegrass-rough-standards.pdfOSCS,2016g.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:IntermediateryegrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/ryegrass-intermediate-standards.pdfOSCS,2016h.OregonSeedCertificationService,CropStandard:PerennialryegrassCertificationStandards.AccessedNovember22,2016http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/standards/ryegrass-perennial-standards.pdfRogers,M.1991.Coolseasonturfgrassvarieties.GroundsMaintenance.September,pgs.22-26,54.Schoth,H.A.,1930.BentGrassSeedProductioninthePacificNorthwest.BulletinoftheUnitedStatesGolfAssociationGreenSectionVol.10No.11:206-211-200.Taylor,N.A.,1973.RegistrationofKenstarRedclover.CropScience,13(Nov-Dec),pg.772.U.S.GPO,2016.UnitedStatesGovernmentPublishingOffice,ElectronicCodeofFederalRegulations,e-CFR,Title7–Agriculture,Part201.76–FederalSeedActRegulations;MinimumLand,Isolation,Field,andSeedStandards.Table5.AccessedNovember22,2016http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-

idx?SID=c43b7caa3f618f114efa37909e65d0d8&mc=true&node=pt7.3.201&rgn=div5-se7.3.201_176

Warnke,S.,2003.Chapter10CreepingBentgrass(AgrostisstoloniferaL.).In:Casler,M.D.andR.R.Duncan,eds.TurfgrassBiology,Genetics,andBreeding.JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.pgs.175-185.


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VarietySpecificStandardsPersonalobservations–BarrySchrumpfNovember30,2016Therearemanykindsofvarietyspecificstandards.Somearebasedonvarietaldifferences(genetic),someareestablishedforbusinessreasons.SeedCertificationpolicies,proceduresandstandardsaccommodatebothgeneticandbusinessreasons.ThroughoutAOSCAandstatecertifyingagency’spolicies,programs,andstandardsthereareprovisionsdesignedtomeettheneedsthatpertaintoplantbreeding,varietydevelopment,seedproduction,seedmarketing,etc.;varietyspecificstandardsinitsmanyformsarejustoneexample.OthersincludeEarlysampling,useofnamesynonyms,taggingbasedonaTZ,distributedtagprinting;therearemany,manykindsofprovisionsdevelopedanddesignedtoservetheneedsoftheindustry.ThoughnotrequiredbytheFederalSeedAct,moststateshavemechanicalstandards.Fromtheearliestyearsofseedcertification,mechanicalstandardshavebeenadoptedtogainrecognitionandadvantageinthemarketplace,andmostdefinitelytobecompetitive.Theproblemsofturfqualityinherentintheearlyseededvarietiesofcreepingbentgrass(e.g.,Seaside),thetendencyforsegregatingpatchestodevelopintheturf,thehandweedingnotedbyDr.Hyslopwereallreducedbyturningtoclonesforvegetativelyestablishingtheputtinggreens.Areturntouseofseededclones,orthethreeclonecrosstoproducePenncross,reintroducedtheproblemofweedseeds,andthetaskofcontrollingweedsonthegreens.Thisresultedinpressurefromconsumerstohaveseedthatmetveryhighmechanicalpuritystandards,andtheywishedtoseethosestandardspublishedinSeedCertificationstandards.Consumersofseedproductshavestronglyencouraged,ifnotdemandedthatmechanicalstandardsbeapartofseedcertificationstandards.Thesestandardsarepublishedandreadilyavailabletothosewhowishtoreferencethem;publicationandpublicaccesstoSeedCertificationstandardsisasalientreasonforincludingmechanicalstandardsinthatitallowsconsumerstoknowtheminimumqualitytheycanexpectwhenpurchasingseed.Therefore,thepurposeofmechanicaltolerancesinthestandardsgoesbeyondcontroloverlocalproduction,butextendstoadvertisementandcompetitioninthemarketplace.Ananalysistagaccuratelyshowswhatwasfoundintheseedsample,butdoesnotindicatehowthoseresultscomparetoanestablishedandpublishednorm,suchasacertificationstandard,theOregonseedcertificationtaginconjunctionwiththepublishedstandards,accomplishesthis.Thoughtheconcernhasbeenvoicedmultipletimesovertheyears,thatvarietyspecificmechanicalstandardsmightproliferateamongmanycropstandards,andthusbecomeunmanageable,thathasnotoccurred.Theproliferationthathasoccurred,didsoearlyonintheyearsofstandardsdevelopment(bentgrassandbluegrass),buthascontinuedprimarilyintheCreepingBentgrassandPerennialryegrassstandards.Idon’tthinkthatthesituationwillbecomeunmanageableforatleasttworeasons,oneisthatoverthemorethan40yearsofadoptingvarietyspecificmechanicalstandards,proliferationtoothercropshasbeenminimal,especiallyconsideringthenumberofothercropswecertifyinOregonandthereforethe


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potentialforproliferation,andsecondly,SeedCertificationisaccustomedtoaddressingandmanagingdetails.SeedCertificationisallaboutdetails–theirmanagementandapplication.SeedCertificationispreparedtohandledetailsanddoessothroughouttheprocessofconfirmingseedsource,inspectingfields,seedtesting,anddeterminingfinaleligibilityfortagging.Multiplelevelsofdetailarewhatwedo,andmanagingvarietyspecificstandardsisbuiltintotheprogram.VarietyspecificstandardshavebeenapartoftheOregonbentgrassstandardssinceatleast1965when4%InertwasallowedforAstoria(apublicvariety)whenallotherbentgrassspecieswereheldto2%Inert,max.Thiswasnotdoneforgeneticreasons,butratherforagronomicreasons(couldnotfieldburnonpeatsoils).Thefirstrequestforavarietyspecificmechanicalstandardforaprivatevariety(Emerald)camein1974,andthatrequestwastolowerthestandardforOtherCrop.ThefirstrequestfromTee-2-GreenforhighervarietyspecificmechanicalstandardsintheCreepingBentgrassStandardscamein1980.TheprecedentforvarietyspecificmechanicalstandardswasestablishedlongbeforeTee-2-Greenmadeitsfirstrequest.The2015requestfromTee-2-GreengreatlysimplifiedtheCreepingbentgrassstandards,reducingthesetsofCertifiedclassstandardsfromfourtotwo,whichshouldeaseconcernsoverthecomplexityoftheCreepingbentgrassstandardsandtheiraccurateapplication.ThemarketsforCreepingbentgrassstandardsappearstoincludeextremesforseedqualityandseedprice.Onesetofstandardsdoesnotwellservethisparticularpartoftheseedindustry,andinparticular,thatpartoftheindustryinvolvedwithestablishinggolfcourseputtinggreens.Inthiscircumstance,whyshouldonesetofminimumqualitystandardsbeforcedtosuffice?Whyshouldtherenotbealternativesetsofmechanicalstandards?Althoughtherequestforanalternativesetofstandardsmaybesubmittedbyasinglecompany,oncethosestandardshavebeenacceptedbytheCertificationBoard,thosestandardsarecertificationstandardsandmaybeusedbyanycompanyfortheirvarieties.Useofvarietyspecificmechanicalstandards,andotherstandardsthatarenotalwaysbasedonvarietalgeneticdifferenceshavelonghadaplaceinboththenationalandstatecertificationprograms.Companiesandbreedingprogramsincorporatetheseprovisionsintobusinessplans.Removalofthesestandardprovisionscouldbequitedisruptivetoexistingbusinessplans.Regardingcreepingbentgrass,from1927to1954,certificationwasmoreaboutseedqualitythangeneticquality.Throughoutthistime,Seasidewastheonlycreepingbentgrassvarietybeingharvestedin,andmarketedfromOregon.Itseemslogicalthatthestandardswereperceivedasvarietyspecific,andthatwhennewvarietiescamealongthattheyshouldbeabletohavetheirspecificstandardsalso.


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Competitionisamajorpartoftheplantbreedingandseedindustry,andcompetitionhasbeenbuiltintosomeaspectsofseedcertificationstandards.Throughoutthehistoryofseedcertificationefforts,therehasbeenconstantefforttoincludeprovisionsthatservetheneedsoftheseedindustry.ThefirstCreepingbentvarietyspecificstandard(forEmerald)wasareductionintheOtherCroptolerancecomparedtothecropstandard,subsequentvarietyspecificstandardswereincreasesabovethecropstandards,eventuallyspecifyingsevererestrictionscomparedtothecropstandard.Doesn’tthisillustratethegreatdiversityforneedswithinonecroptype?Whyshouldseedcertificationstandardsbeknownasalwaysaddressingonlythelowestqualityacceptedinthemarketplace?Whyshouldtherenotbeopportunityforalternativesetsofstandardswithinonecroptype?Eliminatingvarietynamesfromstandardsisnotthesameasremovingvarietyspecificstandards;analternativesetofmechanicalstandardscouldbegenericallynamed,andthevarietiesassignedtoitcouldbelistedelsewhere.Rightnow,includingthevarietynameswiththealternativestandardsisthemosteffectivewayforallwhoneedtheinformationtohavetheinformation.Eliminatingvarietyspecificstandardsofaspecifictype,e.g.somespecificmechanicalstandards,shouldnotbedoneinonecroptype,withoutdoingitinallcroptypesinwhichtheparticularvarietyspecificstandardoccurs.Itwouldalsobeimportanttoverycarefullyandspecificallydefinethespecifictypeofvarietyspecificstandardthatistobeeliminated,soasnottoincurunintendedconsequences.Eliminating“companystandards”fromseedcertificationstandardsmaysoundstraightforwardbecausethetermimpliesastandardthatdoesnotreflectatruevarietaldifference(geneticdifference).However,studyofallthekindsofvarietyspecificstandardsandhowtheyareused,resultsinrecognizingthatsomereflectacompany’sintent,andjudgingintentbecomesproblematic.Forexample,aninitialvarietyacceptanceapplicationwillspecifythepermittedgenerationsforavarietyandlengthofstandateachgeneration;thesespecificationsaregenerallyacceptedasreflectingthegeneticstabilityofthevariety.Thereareplentyofexamplesofthevarietyoriginator,someyearslater,amendingtheinitialspecificationstoallowanadditionalgeneration,and/orincreasedlengthofstand.Oftentheseamendmentsaremade,notsomuchforgeneticconsiderations,astomeettheneedsofproductionandinventory.Shouldtheseamendmentsbequestionedandperhapsdisallowedifjudgedtobefornon-geneticreasons?EvidentlytherehavebeencircumstancesthatwarrantedalternativesetsofCertifiedclassmechanicalstandards;useofseedforestablishingputtinggreensservestoillustrateoneextremeinthegreatdiversityofseedusesandhaswarrantedasetofstandardsthatwerecommensuratewiththehighlevelofqualityneededforthisapplication.Therefore,itmightbewelltoconsideraguidelineorpolicyforalternativesetsofstandards.Therequestmadeby


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Tee-2-Greenin2015couldserveasamodel.Comparedtothecropstandard,theyrequested:OtherCrop,max.0.04%vs.0.5%max.andWeedSeed,max.0.03%vs.0.25%max.;therequestedstandardswere12.5timesstricterforOtherCropand8.3timesstricterforWeedSeed.And,Tee-2-Greenrequestedzerotoleranceforadditionalspecifiedweedseeds.AguidelineorpolicyforestablishinganalternativesetofstandardscouldrequirethatstandardsforOtherCropandWeedSeedsbestricterthantheCertifiedclasscropstandardsbyfactorsofXandY,perhaps8timesand6times,andthatzerotolerancebeappliedtoadditionalhardtoseparateseeds.Ifviabilityisaddressedinanalternativestandard,thenperhapsthesuggestedstandardshouldbeatleast5percentagepointsdifferentfromthecropstandard.Suchapolicy/guidelinewouldavoidcreatingfrivoloussetsofvarietyspecificstandards,shouldtheyeverbecontemplated.Perhapsthisshouldbecalledapolicyorguideline,ratherthanageneralstandard,becauseinsettinganyminimalrequirementsforanalternativesetofvarietyspecificstandards,itisdifficulttoanticipateallthecircumstancesthatcouldarisewithanothercroptype.


ProposedChangeToSeedStandards

GLAC 3


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS COLONIAL BENTGRASS

(Agrostis capillaris) Revised February 14, 2017

Oregon Seed Certification Service http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu

Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Bentgrass standards.

Varieties Certified: Varieties and classes eligible for planting may be found in the OSCS Handbook.

Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to any other Agrostis species for the previous five years. Fields of Highland Colonial bentgrass planted with Foundation seed must have been deep-cultivated for a minimum of two years to qualify for Registered seed production. To qualify for Certified seed production, fields of Highland Colonial bentgrass must have been cultivated, allowing an opportunity for seedlings to grow. Colonial bentgrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification Office prior to planting.

Field Inspections: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards:

Class of seed produced Maximum permitted Other Varieties1

Isolation Requirements2 Less than 5 acres More than 5 acres

Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 660 ft. 300 ft. Certified 2.0% 330 ft.3 165 ft.





Astoria Certified

(Blue tag)

Exeter Certified

(Blue tag) Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% 96.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.50% 0.50% 0.25% Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 4.00% 2.00% Weed seed4, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% Mouse-ear chickweed and Annual bluegrass 0.05% 0.05% 0.05% 0.05% 0.05%

Weed seed, GROUP A5, singly or combined None None 180/lb. 180/lb. 180/lb.

Germination, minimum 85% 85% 85% 85% 85%

Appearance: Bentgrass seed lots composed of 75% or more hulled (groated) seed will not be certified unless blended with unhulled certified eligible lots of seed in reasonable amount to present good appearance of less than 75%.

1Includes off-type plants. 2This distance must be maintained between all other varieties, such as Colonial, Creeping and Velvet bentgrass. For additional details, see section IV, D in the OSCS Handbook. 3 Certified class fields less than 5 acres must be 165 ft. from all Velvet bentgrass. 4None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V, nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. 5GROUP A – Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel, and St. Johnswort.

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CERTIFICATION STANDARDS IDAHO BENTGRASS (Agrostis idahoensis)

Revised February 14, 2017




Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to any other varieties of bentgrass for the previous five years. Idaho bentgrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification office prior to planting.

Field Inspection: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards:



Less than 5 acres More than 5 acres

Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 660 ft. 300 ft. Certified 2.0% 330 ft. 165 ft.





Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.50% Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% Weed seed3, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.25% Mouse-ear chickweed and Annual bluegrass 0.05% 0.05% 0.05% Weed seed, GROUP A4, singly or combined combined None None 180/lb.

Germination, minimum 85% 85% 85%


1 Includes off-type plants. 2 This distance must be maintained between all other varieties, such as Colonial, Creeping and Velvet bentgrass. For additional details, see section IV, D in the OSCS Handbook. 3 None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V in the OSCS Handbook, nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. 4 GROUP A – Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel, and St. Johnswort.

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CERTIFICATION STANDARDS REDTOP BENTGRASS

(Agrostis gigantea) Revised February 14, 2017




Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to any other varieties of Bentgrass for the previous five years. Redtop bentgrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification office prior to planting.

Field Inspection: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards:



Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 660 ft. 300 ft. Certified 2.0% 330 ft. 165 ft.





Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.50% Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% Weed seed3, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.25% Mouse-ear chickweed and Annual bluegrass 0.05% 0.05% 0.05% Weed seed, GROUP A4, singly or combined None None 180/lb. Germination, minimum 85% 85% 85%


1 Includes off-type plants. 2 This distance must be maintained between all other varieties, such as Colonial, Creeping and Velvet bentgrass. For additional details, see section IV, D in the OSCS Handbook. 3 None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V in the OSCS Handbook, nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. 4 GROUP A – Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel, and St. Johnswort.

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CERTIFICATION STANDARDS VELVET BENTGRASS

(Agrostis canina) Revised February 14, 2017


Certification Standards: The general rules for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Velvet bentgrass standards.

Varieties Certified and classes eligible for planting may be found in the OSCS Handbook.

Field History: Land to produce Foundation or Certified seed must not have grown or been seeded to any Agrostis species during the previous five years. Velvet bentgrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification office prior to planting.

Field Inspections include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards:



Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Certified 1% 330 ft.3 165 ft.




Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 96.00% Other crops, maximum 0.10% 2.00%4

Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 4.00% Weed seed5, maximum 0.10% 0.25% Weed seed, GROUP A6, singly or combined None 360/lb. St. Johnswort None 180/lb. Germination, minimum 85% 85%


1 Includes off-type plants. 2 This distance must be maintained between all other varieties, such as Colonial, Creeping and Velvet bentgrass. For additional details, section IV, D in the OSCS Handbook. 3 Certified class fields less than 5 acres must be 165 ft. from all Colonial and Creeping bentgrass. 4 Not more than 0.25% of Kentucky and/or Rough bluegrass. 5 None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V in the OSCS Handbook, nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. 6 GROUP A – Broadleaf or Common plantain, Buckhorn plantain, Big mouse-ear, Yarrow, Sheep sorrel, and Docks.

GLAC 4


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS BERMUDAGRASS

(Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon) Revised February 14, 2017


Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Bermuda grass standards.


Field History: Fields eligible for the production of Foundation seed must not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the previous five years and must have included a cultivated crop for three years. Fields eligible for the production of Certified seed must not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the previous three years and must have included a cultivated crop for two years unless the previous crop was the same variety and certified. Bermudagrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions, as specified by the breeder for the variety, must be approved by the Seed Certification Office prior to planting.

Field Inspections: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 30 days of planting and a seed crop application must be submitted by June 15 each year seed is produced.

Field Standards:

Class of seed produced Maximum other varieties permitted1

Isolation Requirements2 Less than 5

acres More than 5

acres Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Certified 0.3% 330 ft. 165 ft.

Seed Standards: (Minimum Sample Size – 1/2 pound)

Factor Foundation (White Tag)

Certified (Blue Tag)

Pure seed, minimum 96.00% 96.00% Other crops, maximum 0.01% 0.25% Inert matter, maximum 4.00% 4.00% Weed seed3, maximum 0.01% 0.2% Weed seed, Group A4, singly or combined None 45/lb. Germination , minimum 80% 80%

1 Includes off-type plants. 2See Section IV D, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook. 3None of the prohibited weeds listed in Section V, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook, nor any St. Johnswort allowed in any class of seed. 4GROUP A -- Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel, Bedstraw.

GLAC 4


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS CREEPING BLUEGRASS (Poa annua var. reptans)

Approved February 14, 2017


Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Creeping Bluegrass standards.


Field History: To produce Foundation and Registered seed, land must have been free of Bluegrass of the same kind for five years. Land must not have grown or been seeded to another variety of the same kind of Bluegrass for production of Certified seed during the previous three years, unless the previous crop was of the same variety and passed certification field requirements. When the field is being planted back to the same Bluegrass variety and the variety was certified, the time interval may be eliminated. Bluegrass must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification Office prior to planting.

Field Inspections: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 60 days of planting, and the seed crop application must be submitted by April 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards:

Class of seed produced Maximum other varieties permitted1


Less than 5 acres More than 5 acres Foundation None 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 660 ft. 300 ft. Certified 1.0% 330 ft. 165 ft.

Seed Standards: (Minimum Sample Size -- 1/4 Pound)


Registered (Purple Tag)


Pure seed, minimum 85.00% 85.00% 85.00% Other crops, maximum3 0.10% 0.10% 0.25% Inert matter, maximum 15.00% 15.00% 15.00% Weed seed4, maximum 0.10% 0.30% 0.30% Weed seed, GROUP A5, singly or combined None None 45/lb.

Germination, minimum 75% 75% 75%

1Includes off-type plants as may be designated by the varietal description. 2See Section IV, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook. 3No Kentucky or Rough Bluegrass allowed in Foundation or Registered class of Creeping Bluegrass (10 gram test). 4None of the prohibited weeds listed in Section V, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook nor any St. Johnswort allowed in any class of seed. 5GROUP A Buckhorn plantain, Docks, Sheep sorrel and Bedstraw

GLAC 4


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS TEFF

(Eragrostis tef) Approved February 14, 2017


Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Teff standards.

Varieties Certified: Varieties and seed classes eligible for planting may be found in the OSCS Handbook.

Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to Teff for five years to produce Foundation seed. To produce Registered or Certified seed, land must not have grown or been seeded to Teff in the previous crop year unless it was the same variety, equal or higher class, and certified. Teff must be planted in distinct rows. Exceptions must be approved by the Seed Certification Office prior to planting.

Field Inspections: Include a seedling and seed crop inspection. The seedling application must be submitted within 15 days of planting. Application for crop application must be submitted by June 1, or 15 days after planting, whichever occurs last.

Field Standards:

Class of seed produced Maximum other varieties permitted1 Isolation requirements2

Foundation None Adequate to prevent pollination from contaminating sources with a minimum

distance of 15 feet Registered 0.5% Certified 1.0%





Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum 0.10% 0.25% 0.50% Inert matter, maximum 2.00% 2.00% 2.00% Weed seed3, maximum 0.15% 0.30% 0.50% Weeds, Group A4, singly or combined None 45/lb. 45/lb. Germination, minimum 80% 80% 80%

1 Includes off-type plants. 2 See Section IV D, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook. 3 None of the prohibited weeds listed in section V, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook, nor any St. Johnswort allowed in any class of seed. 4 Group A – Buckhorn plantain, Sheep sorrel, Docks, Bedstraw.

GLAC 5


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS SEASHORE PASPALUM (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) Revised February 14, 2017


Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Seashore Paspalum standards.


Planting Stock: Fields may be established using vegetatively propagated material or seed per the approved variety description. Plantings must be in distinct rows unless the Seed Certification Office approves an exception.

Field History: To produce Foundation, Registered or Certified seed or vegetatively propagated material, land must not have grown or been planted to the same species during the previous five years. Under the Modification of Land History procedures a grower may plant a field back to Seashore paspalum that has not produced or set seed, assuming proper planting stock has been used and certification eligibility had been previously established. For further details see Section IV-C General Standards of the OSCS Handbook.

Field Inspection: Include a seedling and a seed crop inspection. The seedling applications must be submitted within 15 days of planting, and a seed crop application must be submitted by June 15 of each year in which seed is produced.

Field Standards: Class of seed

produced Maximum other

varieties permitted1 Minimum Original Stand Isolation Requirements2

Less than 5 acres More than 5 acres Foundation None 70% 900 ft. 900 ft. Registered 0.1% 70% 660 ft. 330 ft. Certified 0.3% 70% 330 ft. 165 ft.

Special Requirements: A field of Sea Spray Seashore paspalum may produce only seven consecutive Certified seed crops following the first or establishment year. An even balance of seed heads must be maintained during the entire seven-year life of the stand.

Seed Standards: (Minimum Sample Size -- 1/2 Pound) Factor Foundation

(White Tag) Registered

(Purple Tag) Certified

(Blue Tag) Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 97.00% Other crop, maximum 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Inert matter maximum 2.00% 2.00% 3.00% Weed seed3 0.05% 0.05% 0.20% Weed seed, GROUP A4, singly or combined None None 180/lb. Germination, minimum 60% 60% 60%

1Includes off-type plants 2This distance must be maintained between all other varieties of Seashore paspalum. For additional details, see Section IV, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook 3 None of the prohibited weeds listed in Section V, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook nor any Buckhorn plantain, St. Johnswort, Docks, Sheep sorrel nor Corn bedstraw is allowed in any class of seed. 4 GROUP A – Mouse-ear chickweed, Yarrow

GLAC 6


CERTIFICATION STANDARDS SOYBEAN

(Glycine max) Approved February 14, 2016


Certification Standards: The general standards for seed certification found in the Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook (OSCS) are basic to all crops, and together with the following specific regulations constitute the certified Soybean standards.


Field History: Land must not have grown or been seeded to another variety of Soybean for one year, unless the previous crop was of the same variety and class, and certified. Soybeans must be planted in distinct rows. The Seed Certification Office prior to planting must approve exceptions.

Field Inspections: Includes one inspection for Certified class seed, a flower inspection is required for Foundation and Registered class seed. Application for field inspection must be submitted by June 15 or 15 days after planting for fields planted after June 15.

Field Standards:

Class of seed produced Maximum other varieties permitted1 Isolation Requirements2

Foundation 1:1000 (0.1%) Registered 1:1000 (0.1%) Mechanical Separation Certified 1:500 (0.2%)

Seed Standards: (Minimum Sample Size – 1/2 pound)


Registered (Purple Tag)


Pure seed, minimum 98.00% 98.00% 98.00% Other crops, maximum None found None found 1 per 2 lb Other varieties1, maximum 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% Inert matter3, maximum 2% 2% 2% Weed seed, maximum None found 1 per lb 2 per lb Germination 85% 85% 85%

1 Includes off-type plants and seeds that can be differentiated from the variety being inspected. 2 See Section IV, D.1 in the OSCS Handbook. 3 None of the prohibited weeds listed in Section V, General Standards in the OSCS Handbook, nor any St. Johnswort allowed in any class of seed.

GLAC 7


FormoreinformationabouthappeningsintheCollegeofAgriculturalSciencessubscribetotheCollege’snewsmagazine“Oregon’sAgriculturalProgress”(http://oregonprogress.oregonstate.edu/index.php)andtotheCollege’smonthlynewsletter“TheSource”(http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/news/newsletters).ThelatteralsoprovideslinkstothenewslettersofanumberofdepartmentsintheCollege,[email protected];541-737-2821

CSSUpdateDecember15,2016

ThefollowingarehighlightsofactivitiesoverthepastfewmonthsinCropandSoilScience(CSS)andtheCollegeofAgriculturalSciences(CAS)astheyaffectclientelegroupsaffiliatedwithCSS.

CropandSoilScience–WeareallaboutSoilstoSeedsPassedAccreditationofDegreeProgramsOurundergraduatemajorpasseduniversityreviewthismonth,addingtothepassageofourtwograduatedegreeprogramsinSoilScienceandCropScience.Wecontinuetoaddnewcoursestoouron-campusandEcampuscurriculum,withnewcoursesinagronomybeingthefocus.NewCSSFacultya. Dr.RayQin(Chin)washiredastheAssistantProfessor,ExtensionAgronomy/SoilsatHAREC.He

started16September.b. Dr.MaziarKandeloushasbeenhiredasAssistantProfessor,ExtensionWaterQualitySoilScientist,

astatewidepositiontoassistagriculturalproducersinsustainingorenhancingcropproductivitywhilemaintainingorincreasingsurfaceandgroundwaterqualityassociatedwithsurfaceandsoilprocesses.

c. WeareintheprocessofhiringtheAssistantProfessor,ExtensionSoilFertilitySpecialist.Anannouncementisexpectedaroundthenewyear.

CSSFacultySearchesa. AssistantProfessor,MarionCountyExtensionFieldCrops--wearerestartingthesearchprocess

thismonthasProfessorofPractice(non-tenuretrack).b. AssistantProfessorofPractice,IrrigationandWaterManagement–Thisfacultypositionis

stationedatKlamathBasinResearchandExtensionCenter(KBREC).c. CSSislookingforwardtogainingCollegeapprovalsofourrequestsforWeedScienceresearchand

teachingpositionandanExtensionEntomologistposition,bythiswinter.WeneedstakeholderinputinassemblingSearchCommittees,whichinadditiontothesearchforfillingthepositionarechargedwiththefinaldescriptionofthesepositionsbeforeacceptingapplications.

Wegreatlyappreciatethestakeholdertime,effortandinputonthesehires.CollegeofAgriculturalSciencesEarlierthisyear,theOSUBoardofTrusteessoughtacontinuedservicelevelincreasefortheseprograms–simplytheamountoffundingthatwouldbeneededtoprovidethesamelevelofservicenextbienniumaswhatwasprovidedduringthecurrentbiennium:$128million,a$9.4millionincrease.CostincreasesfortheOSUStatewidesareprimarilydrivenbystatemandatesandstatepoliciesthatrequirestateretirementandhealthinsurancebenefitsandsalaryincreases.Othercostincreasesareduetoregulatorycompliance,technology,communicationandtransportationcosts.InordertomaintainthesamelevelofservicefortheStatewidesthelegislaturewillneedtofind$9.4millioningeneralfundresources.WelooktoourstakeholderstohelpfindpracticablesolutionsforaddressingthefundingchallengesfacingtheStatewidesinthe2017-19biennium.ARSARS-FSCRUcontinuestolookforwaystoworkwithandsupportgrassseedgrowersinOregon.Theunit,theCollegeandCSSareco-funding(inthatorderofsupportdollars)atemporaryExtensionFieldCropsEntomologist,halftimeforthenext12months.Weareplacinganopenrecruitmentpresently.

GLAC 8


Seed Services Update December 14, 2016

Seed Laboratory • Seed Lab folks had a very busy fall with an average amount of samples and a quick 4-5-

day turnaround for purities during the busiest part of the fall• Dave Stimpson hired in July to replace Adriel Garay• AOSA rule proposal that would change the way the reports are for ryegrass• The lab is hiring a group on campus to program IPads for data entry

Seed Certification • Certified acres stayed up over 240,000 acres for the fourth straight year• Sandy Smith retired and Rachel Hankins took his place. We hope to hire a replacement

for Rachel’s position this spring.• Julie Hendrix is retiring as office manager and Brandi Cox has been learning the ropes

and will take over as office manager in January

GLAC 9


ChangingtheWayWeReportRyegrassARULEPROPOSALBYNORTHWESTSEEDTESTINGLABS

GLAC 10


HereistheProblemFromgrow-outtestsandgenetictests,weknowthatthefluorescingseedlingsarenotalwaysAnnualryegrass

Mostofthetimeitiseitherperennialryegrassorahybrid

YettheSeedLabsarerequiredtocallthiscontaminantasannualryegrass(loliummultiflorum)

LabAnalystsareuncomfortableaboutnotreportingthecorrectinformation

GLAC 10


HereisaPartialSolution

CurrentReportingbySeedLabs ProposedReportingbySeedLabs

GLAC 10


SoWhatShouldBeDone?Leavethereportingasitis,whichcausesthelabtobeincorrect

Adaptsomethingthatismoreaccurate,forexample“otherryegrass”

NWlabsareproposingthatwechangetoreportthecontaminateas“Undeterminedryegrass”

GLAC 10


WhatHappensWithMorePreciseTesting?

Grow-outsandPCRtestsaremoreprecisethanthefluorescencetest

Whenperformed,thesetestdoabetterjobindicatingifitisperennial,annualorahybrid

So,ifamoreprecisetestisused,wewouldwillnotuse“undetermined”butactuallylistthemaswhattheytrulyare,perennialorannual

GLAC 10


WhatHappensWhenReportingaMixture?Whenthefluorescencetestisusedtodistinguishbetweenannualandperennialryegrassassume:◦ Fluorescingseedlingsinamixtureareannual◦ Non-fluorescingseedlingsareperennial

Leave“otherryegrass”outofthereportforallmixturesandreportasannualorperennialryegrass

Grow-outorDNAtestcanalsobeusedtodetermineannualandperennialtypesinamixture

GLAC 10


SummarySeedLabshavetoreportfluorescingseedlingsovertheVFLlevelasannualryegrass,whenmuchofthetimetheyarenotannual

Asolutionwouldbetoreporttheseseedlingsas“undeterminedryegrass”ratherthan“annualryegrass”

Whenreportingresultsfromagrow-out,PCRtestoramixture,thereportingwouldnotchange.


Oregon Seed Certification Service Oregon State University, 31 Crop Science Bldg., Corvallis, Oregon 97331 T 541-737-4513 | F 541-737-2624 http://seedcert.oregonstate.edu

Agriculture, Family and Community Development, 4-H Youth, Forestry, Energy and Extension Sea Grant Programs, Oregon State University, United States Department of Agriculture and Oregon Counties cooperating. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.

2016 Snapshot of the Oregon Seed Certification Service

• Staffingo 3Administrativestaffo 2InformationTechnologystaff

§ 1SystemsManager§ 1SoftwareEngineer

o 8SeedCertificationSpecialistso 10Part-time/seasonalSeedCertificationInspectorso 4Fulltimeand4part-timeSeedCertificationSamplerso 1Manager&SeedCertificationSpecialist

• TypesofCropsCertifiedbyacreageo Grasses82.93%

§ Tallfescue47%,Perennialryegrass29%,KentuckyBluegrass6%o Cereals10.43%

§ Wheat&ClubWheat88%,Barley5%,Oat4%o Legumes3.45%

§ Alfalfa38%,RedClover27%,CrimsonClover13%o OtherCrops3.19%

§ Potato36%,Corn30%,Sunflower18%

• ProgramsAdministeredo OregonCertifiedSeed

§ PartoftheAssociationofOfficialSeedCertifyingAgencies(AOSCA)o OECDCertifiedSeed

§ AdministeredinOregonforUSDA-SRTD

• Statsfor2016o 246,669acresand5,650fieldso 28Oregoncountieswithcertifiedcropso 84differentcroptypescertified,and1,238differentvarieties.o Growers:721o Warehouses:363o Contractors:418

• Celebrating100years!o OnDecember 14th from4-6:30pm at theOSU Crop Science Bldg, OSCSwill be

celebratingthe100thyearofofferingcertificationservicesinOregon.Therewillbe a short presentation, displays emphasizing the various aspects of seedcertificationinOregon.andfood--pleasejoinustocelebrate!

GLAC 11


In 2016 The Oregon Seed Certification program is recognizing it’s 100th year of providing Certification Services to the state. The beginnings of this is from a man closely associated with OSU and the College of Agricultural Sciences in particular, George Hyslop. It all began when he saw a need for certification of potatoes that were true to variety and relatively free of disease, so they could be effectively marketed in California. There are very few records from these early years, but it was almost a one man show during this time. In 1918, there were obvious problems with “mixed wheat”. Regional varieties were commonly grown and shared amongst growers, but would often get contaminated and/or blended together as there was no set method to determine varietal purity. A small excerpt written by Hyslop on March 18th, 1919 illustrates how new certification was to the state: “The rules and regulations under which I did seed certification last summer were simply formulated in my head and have never been put on paper before. A farmer who wanted his seed certified made arrangements with the County Agent of his county and when one of us were in that county we inspected the field. If it passed the field inspection we asked for a threshed sample and made the final inspection. After that we issued the certificate, a copy of which I enclose. I am willing to admit that this is rather a crude form of certificate and that it does not have the advantages of the sealed bags of grain used by the Canadian Seed Growers Association but still it has served a very good purpose and works out fairly well thus far in this state. In issuing certificates, it has been necessary for the field to be free from any appreciable quantity of weeds which are not readily separated also for the fields to be free from mixtures which would result in grading the wheat down. These same things are borne in mind in connection with the threshed sample, in addition to this grain that is threshed too close so that the seed coat is seriously injured or that is rather light in test weight is rejected. I think the sample should have a test weight of fifty-six pounds if it should have not enough wheat of other classes to grade below No. 1, for instance not an uncommon mixture is White Club in Marquis. Two percent of this mixture is sufficient to throw it into No. 2, therefore a sample which has more than one and on-half percent of spring White Club wheat or other spring wheats of classes other than the hard Red Spring would be rejected because it is too dangerously close to the line. A mixture of Forty Fold in Marquis is not so serious in that Marquis is practically always spring planted and the Forty Fold does not head out when spring planted. It being present usually only as a volunteer.”

“On Classes of wheat other than the hard Red Spring and the Hard Winter I usually do not certify stuff carrying more than three per cent of mixture, of course, in these other classes five percent is allowed. With Forty Fold I have had to be more lenient in that it is pretty hard to get that variety at the present even reasonably free from mixture.”

GLAC 11


Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)What is it, and will it affect me?

Seed ID If it was easy, anybody could do it!

Factors that make it difficult for a correct seed identification:

• Maturity• Malformation• Damage• Proper magnification• Reference specimen availability and quality

In little over 20 yrs., Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) has risen from relative obscurity to its current status as one of the most widespread, troublesome, and economically damaging agronomic weeds in the southeastern U.S. (Weed Technology 2013). It is a difficult-to-control weed, with a rapid growth rate, an ability to tolerate adverse conditions, and is herbicide resistant. One plant can produce 250,000 seeds.“…I believe it will be the No. 1 weed in the Midwest in 5 years or so,” says University of Tennessee weed scientist Larry Steckel.

Current legal status: Amaranthus palmeri• Noxious in Ohio• Prohibited in Minnesota

Can you tell those apart?

Redroot pigweedAmaranthus retroflexus

Palmer amaranthAmaranthus palmeri

Tumble pigweedAmaranthus albus

How could the legal status affect me? Identifying Amaranthus to the species level is difficult and sometimes impossible. If Amaranthus sp. is added to the Noxious Weed list, it may have drastic affects on your ability to ship seeds.

Possible scenarios: You want to ship seed and your report states a Pigweed - Amaranthus sp. was found. • You cannot ship to Minnesota or Ohio.• You cannot ship to Australia. AU will not accept any lot with a

contaminant that is not identified with both genus and species.Redroot pigweed

Palmer amaranth

Tumble pigweed

GLAC 12


minutes of the 2016 grass and legume advisory...

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