Crops & Industry

Seed Section Main Overview

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Seed Section ensures that agricultural seed sold within the state is safe, high quality, and accurately labeled. Governed by the Arkansas Seed Act (A.C.A. § 2-18-101 et seq.), this section and associated programs ensure that the sale, labeling, and distribution of agricultural seed complies with both state and federal laws/rules. Department staff conduct official inspections of seed offered for sale, oversee certification programs for farmers and companies, and provide testing services through the Department’s Seed Laboratory. All Seed Regulatory activities are managed by the Quality Control and Compliance (QCC) Section.

Any company selling agricultural seed for planting purposes into or within Arkansas must review the AR Seed Section webpages and obtain the required license or permit.  

The AR Seed Section is responsible for:

• Seed Law/Regulatory Enforcement – Inspecting seed to ensure compliance with labeling, germination, and purity standards.
• Seed Certification Program – Managing certification programs that verify varietal purity and seed quality through field inspections, laboratory testing, and approved labeling.
• Seed Arbitration Program – Helps resolve disputes between seed buyers and sellers in Arkansas.
• Official Seed Laboratory of Arkansas – Providing testing services supporting both regulatory and certified seed samples submitted by agricultural industry.
• Rice GMO Testing Assistance – All rice seed planted in Arkansas must be tested for GMO traits before April 1^st of each year. For more information and forms regarding Rice GMO Testing in Arkansas, read below on this webpage.

The Seed Section issues the following Licenses:

• AR Seed Dealer/Labeler Licenses—for any company desiring to sell or offer for sale agricultural seed into or within Arkansas
• AR Seed Treatment Facility Licenses—for any seed treating plant within Arkansas treating seed with registered pesticide/herbicide/fungicide products
• AR Seed Certification Permits—for any seed producer desiring to participate in the international seed certification program to ensure the highest levels of varietal and genetic purity in crops, while also ensuring quality assurance, and intellectual property protection

For questions, email [email protected] or call (501) 219-6345.

Seed Webpages & Forms

All Arkansas Seed Programs Forms are located on the appropriate seed webpage, as well as this webpage:

SEED PROGRAM FORMS WEBPAGE LINK

FORM SUBMISSIONS: Seed Section forms may be submitted via post-mail to the Department with check or money order payment. Some Seed Section forms may be submitted electronically.

ONLINE SERVICES:

• Seed Dealer License NEW Application
• Seed Dealer RENEWAL License Application
• Seed Dealers / Seed Labelers Directory

AR Seed Licensing Requirements & Information

AR SEED DEALER/LABELER LICENSE INFORMATION

Any person or entity selling, offering for sale, or distributing agricultural seed within or into Arkansas must: 

• Read and review associated rules/laws.
• Be licensed as an AR Seed Dealer/Labeler by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Seed Section.
• Pay all applicable license and inspection fees annually.
• Ensure proper seed labeling complies with Arkansas & Federal Seed Laws.
• Ensure seed labeling is supported by an official seed laboratory test.

Agricultural seed labels must include germination rates, noxious weed content, inert material percentage, and other quality indicators. The Department’s inspectors collect seed samples statewide and enforce stop-sale orders for mislabeled or noncompliant seed. Prohibited noxious weed content results in automatic stop-sale and removal from commerce—check the AR NOXIOUS WEEDS LIST under “SUPPORT / RESOURCES” below.

Licenses must be renewed by June 30^th of each year.  Please review the “AR SEED REGULATORY PROGRAM” webpage for more information.

AR Certified Seed Permit Information

As the Official Seed Certifying Agency in Arkansas (Act 73 of 1931), the AR Seed Certification Program ensures farmers and industry with the highest level of genetic and varietal purity for agricultural crops. The Department enforces rigid standards of seed and crop performance qualities to ensure all three classes of certified seed produced in the state abide by strict certification requirements.

Any person or entity in Arkansas desiring to produce certified seed must:

• Read and review associated rules/laws.
• Be licensed as an AR Seed Certified Producer with the Department. 
• Pay all applicable licensing and inspection fees annually.
• Ensure proper seed treatment labeling complies with Arkansas & Federal Seed Rules/Laws.
• Maintain detailed records for four generations of seed production, with each generation being sampled and tested by the Department.
• Once detailed records are maintained and all certified seed standards have been met, the Department will be able to issue certified seed tags or labels.

The Department is primarily responsible for the unbiased inspection and administration of services regarding the production, conditioning, testing, and labeling of certified seed of known genetic purity, physical composition, and germination potential. This program helps ensure farmers and the seed industry with the finest quality of agricultural seed in the world.  

Licenses must be renewed by June 30^th of each year. Please review the “AR SEED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM” webpage for more information.

AR Seed Treater Facility License Information

Any seed treatment facility in Arkansas must: 

• Read and review associated rules/laws.
• Be licensed as an AR Seed Treatment Facility by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Seed Section.
• Pay the $250 licensing fee annually.  
• Ensure proper seed treatment labeling complies with Arkansas & Federal Seed Rules/Laws.

It is a violation of AR Seed Rules/Laws to sell, give away, or use treated seed for any purpose other than planting. Treated seed MUST be labeled appropriately with the required information by law. When applying for this license, you will be required to provide a list of crop kinds, the seed treatments used on each of those crop types, and the amount of product used per bushel/per hundredweight. If the licensee adds additional seed treatments to their operations, it is the licensee’s responsibility to submit an additional application, updating our office with the new treatments prior to them being used or applied.

Licenses must be renewed by June 30^th of each year. Please review the “AR SEED REGULATORY PROGRAM” webpage for more information.

AR Seed Licensing Exceptions

A license to sell or distribute agricultural seed is not needed from Arkansas if:

• You grew the certified seed yourself in Arkansas, and the seed is bagged and tagged.
  • Applies to Certified Seed Producers of 100 acres or less.
• You are selling seed that was sampled, tested, and labels printed solely by the AR Department of Agriculture.
• You purchased seed from someone that already holds an AR Seed Dealer/Labeler License.

Arkansas Seed Law & Rules

The AR Seed Law and subsequent rules establish:

• The Department’s authority over agricultural seed
• Licensing and fee requirements for seed dealers and labelers
• Mandatory labeling standards
• Regulatory sampling and inspection authority
• Penalties for violations or deficient labeling
• Requirements for official laboratory testing
• Stop-sale authority and enforcement procedures
• Record retention for all persons delivering seed for interstate commerce

DEPARTMENT RULES WEBPAGE LINK

Please review the entire Act and associated Rules, located at the links above. Ensure you pay close attention to all labeling and legal requirements.

Rice GMO Testing Assistance

Act 1238 of 2005 (A.C.A. § 2-15-201 et seq.) requires mandatory testing for all rice seed sales for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Arkansas.

• DEADLINE: All rice seed for planting must be sampled and tested by the Department before April 1^st each year.
• CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT: To have your rice seed sampled for testing, contact the Department’s Seed Section at [email protected] or by calling (501) 219-6345.
• DIVIDING OR COMBINING LOTS: If you intend to divide a bin Lot into smaller sub-Lots, or if you intend to combine bin Lots into a larger Lot, you must let us know and provide us with the necessary details:  
  • If dividing into smaller sub-Lots, you must provide us with all sub-Lot information: Sub-Lot Number(s), Size in Bushels or Bags, Bag Weight.
  • If combining seed bin Lots into a larger final Lot, you must provide us with all that final Lot information: Lot Number, Size in Bushels or Bags, Bag Weight.
  • If you DO NOT intend to divide or combine bins/Lots, please let us know.
• VALIDATION REPORT: A “Seed Sample Validation Report” will be issued by the Department’s Seed Laboratory to confirm the seed meets regulatory and legal standards.
  • This document must be provided to each purchaser of the seed, attached to the seed’s invoice.   
• RECORD KEEPING: Accurate records and documentation relating to Rice GMO Testing must be maintained and saved by the tested seed’s Seed Seller/Dealer/Labeler/Company.
  • Retailors who purchase portions of a seed Lot for resale to farmers or purchasers must maintain accurate records of how that Lot is distributed to buyers.  
• OUT-OF-STATE RICE SEED SALES: If rice seed is purchased from outside Arkansas, it must be tested by an approved seed laboratory and documented appropriately before sale or planting in Arkansas.
  • Must be sampled by that state’s official seed sampling personnel and tested at a Department-approved seed laboratory for the requirements set forth under A.C.A. § 2-15-201 et seq.
  • Copies of all this documentation, from sampling to testing, must be provided to the Department’s Seed Section before the seed is sold or planted.
  • If the seed is resold, the “Seed Sample Validation Report” documentation is required to be provided to each purchaser.
• BULK TRANSFERS OF CERTIFIED RICE SEED: If you receive certified rice seed through a Certified Bulk Transfer, provide the Department with:
  • The original bin/Lot Number, as well as:
  • The re-assigned bin/Lot number.
  • This will ensure the Lot is properly linked to the original test results, prompting a “Seed Sample Validation Report” for the re-assigned Lot Number. 

Approved Out-of-State Seed Labs for Rice GMO Testing

• If the rice seed is located out-of-state and will be sold into or within Arkansas, the seed must be sampled by that state’s official seed sampling personnel and tested at an approved laboratory listed below.
• Contact your chosen seed laboratory listed below to arrange submission of your seed sample(s).
• Discuss the cost of analysis up-front and follow instructions provided by the laboratory.
• All documentation, from sampling to testing, must be provided to the Department’s Seed Section at: [email protected]
• Testing labs must report results directly to the Department.

List of Approved Seed Labs

Contact the Department at [email protected] or call (501) 219-6345 for Rice GMO Testing Assistance.

Support / Resources

Email questions to [email protected] or call (501) 219-6345.

Seed invoicing and labeling requirements in Arkansas

• Anyone who sells, distributes, or transports agricultural seed within or into Arkansas must label it according to Arkansas seed rules. Labels must be honest and accurate.
• Anyone who sells, distributes, or transports agricultural seed within or into Arkansas must obtain an Arkansas seed dealer/labeler license from the department’s seed section.

Required on all seed invoices

• Lot number and/or other identifiable number system
• Kind and variety of seed
• Designation as certified seed or non-certified seed
• Seed label for each seed lot attached to each container
• Seed labels must include all required elements listed below
• Bulk or bagged designation
• If bagged, include bag weight
• Buyer’s name and street address

Required on all seed labels

• Name and street address of the seed seller, distributor, or provider
• Lot number
• Name of kind and variety of seed, including any descriptive terms
• If variety is not listed, label must state: “Variety not stated”
• Wheat, rice, soybean, and cotton seed must include the variety name
  • Exception: Variety identification is not required for wheat seed labeled “for cover crop”
• U.S. state where the seed was grown
• If the state is unknown, the label must include a statement indicating this
• For certified cotton seed, include the year grown
• Percentage of pure seed
• Percentage of weed seed, including noxious weeds
• Percentage of other crop seed
• Percentage of inert matter
• Germination percentage (exclusive of hard seed)
• If hard seed is present, include percentage of hard seed
• Date of germination test in month–year format (valid for nine months, excluding test month)
• Net weight of contents
• Exception for corn: Net weight may be on the label or on a bag within the vicinity of the label
• Tall fescue grass containing ryegrass must list percentage of ryegrass
  • If none is present, label must state: “No ryegrass found”
• Name and number of noxious weed seeds present per pound
• If none are found, include a statement indicating this

Treated seed label requirements

This information must appear on the analysis tag, a separate treatment tag, or on the side or top of the container:

• Name of substance used for treatment
• Appropriate toxicity category signal word
• Precautionary statement such as: “Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes”

Additional notes

• When seed is sold at a store and removed from its bag for delivery in bulk, the seller must provide the buyer with the original seed label.
• If seed is delivered in bulk, the original seed label should also be included with the invoice.
• Each seed company or provider listed on the label must retain records and test results for that seed lot for two (2) years.
• Lot numbers must be included on both the seed label and the invoice.
• This guidance document is for informational purposes only and does not have the force and effect of law. Seed providers are responsible for compliance with all applicable state and federal seed laws and rules.

Last updated: August 1, 2025

Noxious weeds of Arkansas

• All growers in Arkansas should be able to identify the state’s noxious weeds.
• This list is especially important for certified seed producers.
• This knowledge helps certified seed growers effectively rogue their fields and meet regulatory requirements for seed certification.

List of noxious weeds

1. Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
2. Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus)
3. Crotalaria (Crotalaria spp.)
4. Wild onion and/or wild garlic (Allium spp.)
5. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)
6. Dodder (Cuscuta spp.)
7. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
8. Cheat or chess (Bromus secalinus and/or Bromus commutatus)
9. Darnel (Lolium temulentum)
10. Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)
11. Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)
12. Purple nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
13. Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
14. Dock and/or sorrel (Rumex spp.)
15. Blueweed (Helianthus ciliaris)
16. Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.)
17. Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium)
18. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)
19. Cocklebur (Xanthium spp.)
20. Moonflower (Ipomoea turbinata)
21. Balloonvine (Cardiospermum halicacabum)*
22. Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis)*
23. Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma)*
24. Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli)
25. Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum)*

* Note: These species are prohibited in both field standards and cleaned seed standards for all certified crops.

Additional noxious weeds in rice

When found in rice, the following weeds are also classified as noxious. Their presence must be reported according to requirements for other noxious weeds:

• Red rice (Oryza sativa var.)
• Curly indigo (Aeschynomene spp.)
• Tall indigo or coffee bean (Sesbania macrocarpa)

• AASCO – Association of American Seed Control Officials
• USDA-AMS: Federal Seed Act & Seed Rules
• USDA-AMS Plant Variety Protection Office – PVPO
  • USDA-AMS PVPO Plant Variety Database