MCIA Seed Laboratory Manager Chase Mowry provides a spring update:
For the most part, the seed samples we have received continue to be of high quality with few disease issues in germ tests—a good reflection of growing conditions this past year. Sample numbers for annual crop types are on track with last year, nearing 1,500 samples tested. Perennial samples continue to come in steadily, with samples tested nearing 600.
We have also completed 319 out of the 434 samples submitted by UMN Associate Professor Dr. Seth Naeve for his ongoing work in managing foreign matter in soybeans. Our lab identifies the number of contaminating species found. We expect to complete this work this spring.
We have received a few requests for protein tests—a new service we offer. Our Perten IM 9500 meter measures percent protein based on a fixed 13 percent moisture. It can measure protein for barley, canola, corn, durum, oats, rye, sorghum, and soybeans. The meter can measure oil and fiber percentages on a couple of crop kinds, as well as starch percentage on corn. If you are interested in these services, please make note on the Sampling Report accompanying your sample.
As a requirement of the USDA Accredited Seed Laboratory program, the USDA’s Seed Regulatory and Testing Division will conduct an audit of the MCIA Seed Laboratory in late April. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this will be the first on-site audit since the lab became accredited in November 2020.