An application for field inspection must be submitted by the contract grower to the NCIA or WSC office each year a certifiable seed crop is to be harvested. Check with your state certifying organization for important deadlines. Other key steps in the quality certification process include seed conditioning, analysis of seed quality, and labeling with official certification labels. Cultivar Selection and Quality Maintenance Many improved turfgrass cultivars are available for seed production. These include primarily proprietary ones that are grown and marketed only under contract.
Many improved cultivars have excellent seed production potential while others are below average.
An adjustment in seed price may be needed to provide adequate return to the producer for growing seed of cultivars with less than average seed yield potential. Certification fees and extra roguing are the major added costs. The best way to reduce roguing costs is to carefully select fields and control potential weed problems, including bluegrass volunteers, prior to seeding. Roguing may be necessary prior to inspection to meet standards. Removing bluegrass contamination is important prior to seeding time because many cultivars of bluegrass look alike after they become established and can only be distinguished and removed at this time.