Canada’s food system produces some of the highest quality, most globally trusted agricultural products in the world. But none of this would be possible without the right foundation: high-quality, clean and genetically enhanced pedigreed seed.

Pedigreed seed is the starting point for Canadian crops, which produce food, feed and value-added products for Canada and the world. 

Pedigreed seed is certified through the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA). As the regulatory agency of the Canada Seeds Act, the CSGA represents 3500 seed growers and monitors and certifies seed for agricultural field crops in Canada (except potatoes). Seed Growers in Canada produce some of the highest quality seed in the world using a world-renowned Quality Assurance Identity Preserved system. CSGA also represents 128 seed companies and a broad cross-section of Canadian businesses that develop, produce, sell and export seed.

Pedigreed seed presents several advantages for farmers and end-users, as it is high quality, traceable and genetically pure seed. 

Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG) is one of six provincial or branch associations that serve as a communication link with our national organization, the CSGA. Our role at ABCSG is to provide marketing and advocacy for our members locally, regionally and nationally. Alberta and British Columbia are key players in Canada’s seed industry – accounting for more than a quarter of Canada’s pedigreed seed acres. 

When plant breeders develop new crop varieties, they produce only a small amount of seed for the new variety. That seed is considered “pedigreed seed” because it produces a pure, uniform crop that is true-to-type, meaning it contains all the improved benefits and characteristics the plant breeder intended for the variety. Each new pedigreed variety must be registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for commercial use in Canada.

In order to generate enough pedigreed seed for farmers to grow a commercial variety for retail markets and the food processing industry, it needs to be multiplied over several generations.

That is where the “certified seed grower” comes in. Certified seed growers purchase a small quantity of pedigreed seed from the plant breeder or a variety distributor. Using their expertise in crop management and agronomics, they multiply it for one or more generations to generate quantities large enough to sell for commercial production.

Alberta and British Columbia’s certified seed growers follow stringent guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the genetic purity and quality of the seed. This includes growing a probationary crop for three years and passing a third-party inspection each time. A seed grower must pass the mandatory third-party inspection for three probationary years, to become certified as a seed grower. Any field of pedigreed seed that doesn’t pass the mandatory third-party inspection will go into the commercial market at a lower retail value. 

Certified seed is seed that has followed very strict protocols and has been rigorously tested, as per Canadian seed system regulations, to ensure it retains its varietal and genetic benefits, purity and quality. 

Any seed that is labelled “certified” has been: 

• Purchased as pedigreed seed from a plant breeder or seed distributor with identifiable traits or characteristics
• Planted with equipment that has been meticulously cleaned between crop types and varieties, on a field with documented crop history
• Managed with proper separation distances to similar crop types
• Rogued by hand to remove volunteer weeds and genetic off-types
• Inspected by a third-party, in the field 
• Harvested by equipment that has been meticulously cleaned between crop types and varieties 
• Tested to uphold quality standards 
• Verified by a CSGA-certified authority (where it came from, who grew it and how it was grown)
•  Assigned a traceable seed certificate or blue tag 

Certified seed premiums

Certified seed takes great effort to produce. Each step listed above requires additional time and resources, which in turn adds expense to the process. Producing certified seed may also require a royalty to be paid to the plant breeder of the seed. This is why certified seed comes at a premium cost. 

Farmers are investing in certified seed, despite the higher cost, because they realize the economic and agronomic benefits it provides them in the long run. Certified seed can also benefit the entire value chain, by creating higher quality (identity preserved) products that end users are willing to pay for. 

Certified seed is being purchased and used by Canadian farmers as a way to ensure the quality of their final product and strengthen their businesses.  

Benefits for farmers

• Financial benefits: Certified seed’s superior genetics have the potential to improve yields and end quality, providing a proven financial benefit for your farm. 
• Consistency: The genetic purity of the seed provides consistent quality traits in crop production, allowing farmers to produce uniformly clean, high-quality products. 
• Traceability: Certified seed gives farmers documentable proof of the origins of the seed, as well as third-party assurance the product was grown to their specifications.
• New marketing options: Certified seed is in demand worldwide, meaning farmers can enjoy access to premium markets and new opportunities. 
• Reduced crop risk: Because certified seed comes with improved production potential such as insect and disease resistance benefits resulting in increased yield. 

Benefits for food processors

Food processors/manufacturers are increasingly seeking crops grown from certified seed to use as ingredients in food products, as they offer a number of benefits. 

• Financial gains: Because certified seed crops are proven to be of consistent quality, food processors can charge a premium for products that include these ingredients. 
• Quality assurance: Starting with the best, most consistent ingredients available is the foundation of quality foods. 
• Marketability: Using pedigreed seed allows food processors to market their products as premium, which is increasingly important to today’s health conscious and food savvy consumers.
• Traceability: Pedigreed seed gives food processors documentable proof of the origins of the seed, as well as third-party assurance the product was grown to their specifications.