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By Lana Robinson
Field Editor
Speaking to close to 200 farmers gathered for the Big Country Wheat Conference in Abilene last month, Dr. David Worrall of Agri-Pro Wheat Development, Vernon, emphasized the importance of investing in certified wheat seed for quality.
"Studies prove that certified seed pays on the return per bushel," said Worrall. "Planting bin-run seed is playing with fire!"
According to Worrall, bin-run seed may be cheaper upfront, but certified seed has a much higher yield so you make money on the back side. Most past studies comparing certified seed with bin-run seed show at least an increase of 3 bushels per acre for certified seed.
Worrall said studies of plots with farmer-saved seeds versus certified seeds have a 36 percent lower stand establishment.
He said year in and year out, certified seeds consistently produce more plants, better stands, more vigor and larger seed size.
"They are a more robust plant in the field and produce more robust forage," he said.
Certified seed from public varieties and private companies is defined as seed that has passed field inspection and seed testing standards for varietal purity, which is the absence of certain wheat and other crop seeds and certain diseases. In addition, most certified seed has been treated with a fungicide to control seedborne and seedling diseases. In most cases, certified seed must exceed 90 percent germination.
Noncertified seed, on the other hand, is typically referred to as farmer-saved or homegrown seed. Some farmer-saved wheat seed is custom cleaned, treated and sometimes tested, but not as a general rule.
Worrall noted seed samples sent to Oklahoma State University for vigor tests. He said certified lots consistently proved better than farmer-saved seeds and elevator-run seed was the worst.
"While certified seed was not always better, it was never inferior to the saved seed," he reported.
Certified seed is more "pure" having less weed seed or foreign material compared to farmer-saved seed.
