The Official Website of the State of Arkansas

Crops & Industry

Plant Icon

Seed Certification Program

AR CERTIFIED SEED PRODUCER 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.

Through this certified seed program, Arkansas farmers can be assured of obtaining adequate amounts of genetically pure crop seed. Without these strict performance standards for certified seed, the seed of new superior varieties would tend to become mixed and contaminated, moving further from the intended varietal purity and associated varietal characteristics.

Participation in the Seed Certification Program in Arkansas is voluntary but is highly encouraged for farmers or industry desiring high quality crop performance from season to season. Inspections are made and certified labels are only issued to entities that elect or choose to qualify and are in the position to meet all certification requirements.

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

This certification program in Arkansas helps ensure farmers and the seed industry with the finest quality of agricultural seed in the world.  

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. The Department supervises and participates in inspections of crops, gins, conditioning equipment, and storage facilities to ensure against contamination of non-certified seed.

Department inspectors may inspect field acreages for certification standards and phytosanitary requirements with the company’s Field Production Managers. The Department has the authority to determine whether acreages pass certification standards or if re-inspection will be required later.

All Lots of seed intended for certification are sampled and tested by the Department. Once the Department determines the strict certification standards have been met, certification tags are issued to those Lots.

AR SEED CERTIFICATION PERMIT – Allows an applicant to sell their own production of bagged and tagged certified seed of 100 acres or less (or bulk transfers of that seed) to another certified grower/dealer/producer.

AR SEED DEALER/LABELER LICENSE — Allows an applicant to sell seed either as certified or non-certified (where applicable) as long as all rules for the sale of planting seed in Arkansas are followed.

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

  • Read and understand the Rules for Seed Certification in Arkansas.
  • Obtain an AR Seed Dealer/Labeler License or have a current Seed Certification Permit with the Department.
  • Pay the appropriate certification permitting fee annually.   
  • Ensure proper seed 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 for certain crops, the Department will be able to issue certified seed tags or labels for those specified certified crops.

Licenses must be renewed by June 30th of each year. Different crops have different deadlines associated with the certification application. Check AR Seed Certification Rules for more information.

SEED CERTIFICATION CROP APPLICATION DEADLINES:

SMALL GRAINS (OATS, WHEAT, RYE, BARLEY)APRIL 1ST
RED, WHITE & CRIMSON CLOVER, WATERMELONSAPRIL 20TH
RAPESEED & EASTERN GAMAGRASSMAY 1ST
FESCUE, VETCH & OKRAMAY 15TH
CORNJUNE 1ST
RICE, COTTON, PEANUTS, LESPEDEZA, & COWPEASJULY 1ST
SOYBEANSAUGUST 15TH
SORGHUMSEPTEMBER 1ST
VEGATIVELY PROPAGATED TURFGRASSMARCH 1ST

AR CERTIFIED SEED PRODUCER GUIDELINES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • REVIEW RULES: Read and review the Rules for certified seed in Arkansas before applying for an AR Seed Certification Permit.
  • APPROVED SOURCE: Secure an approved source of seed, as mentioned in Rules.
  • SUBMIT CERTIFICATION APPLICATION: Complete and submit the certification application to the AR Department of Agriculture.
    • The Department will review applications and approve varieties for certification. All variety descriptions must be provided with application.
    • If you are NOT using your own certified seed, you must include the following:
      • A copy of the invoice for purchased certified seed; and
      • A set of certified seed tags from one of the seed bags.
  • CLEAN PLANTING EQUIPMENT: Completely clean all planting equipment of other crop seed so that there is no leftover from other sources.
  • SELECT ACCEPTABLE FIELD: Choose a suitable field that:
    • Is mostly free of noxious weeds, rouging those noxious weeds when necessary. 
    • Meets the isolation requirements outlined in the Rules.
    • Has not been used recently for growing incompatible or other off-type crops or plants.
    • Failure to meet these Rule requirements may result in the field being rejected for certification.
  • REQUIRED PRE-HARVEST INSPECTION: Two weeks before your expected harvest date and before you harvest, notify this office via email [email protected] to schedule the Department’s required field inspection.
  • CLEAN HARVEST & STORAGE EQUIPMENT: Completely clean all harvesting and storage equipment, ensuring no mixture or cross contamination of other seed sources occurs. Verify that your method of harvest and storage meets certification standards with this office.
    • Check cotton rules for special requirements for ginning and storage.
  • POST-HARVEST BUSHEL AMOUNT: Once harvest is completed, report to this office the number of bushels of seed reserved or saved for certification.
    • Monitor moisture levels of your seed in storage to prevent heating.
    • Before cleaning, send a representative sample of the seed to the AR Seed Lab for a preliminary, unofficial test to monitor the seed quality for condition decisions.
  • CLEANING & TREATING SEED: Use best available cleaning and treating equipment for the seed.
    • If using someone else’s facilities, request the Department to inspect the equipment before cleaning your seed.
  • STORAGE OF CERTIFIED SEED: Only new containers, approved reusable containers, or dedicated bulk bins are approved for seed certification use.
  • OFFICIAL SEED TEST: After cleaning/treating, notify this office to pull an official representative sample for required seed lab analysis.
    • If test meets certification testing requirements, the seed is eligible for tags or bulk certificates.
      • Cottonseed is the only crop that may be officially sampled and tested prior to cleaning, whether stored in bulk or in bags, if processed in Arkansas. If the cottonseed is “interagency” or between certified agencies, the shipment must include the correct bulk transfer forms.
      • Only certified Blue-Tag Class seeds may be sampled in bulk and remain eligible for tags or certificates.
      • Registered-Tag and Foundation-Tag Class seeds must be cleaned and stored in bags prior to the Department’s official sample collection.
  • CERT TAG ISSUANCE: After confirming all requirements, tags and bulk certificates may be issued upon request of the permit holder or applicant. Contact this office to request tags.

IDENTITY PRESERVED / QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PURPOSE: The AR Seed Program offers services outside of traditional certification to help maintain and enhance seed quality and varietal purity in Arkansas. New options have been introduced to meet industry needs.

The Identity Preserved (IP) / Quality Assurance (QA) Program is part of a modern certification trend that works outside the conventional certification system.

This program allows companies to:

  • Maintain Product Identity: Throughout production, processing, or marketing.
  • Request Customized Quality Control Inspections: To ensure compliance with varieties, weed presence, etc.

Each IP/QA Program is custom-built for the company, and fees are based on complexity and required inspection time. This helps provide a uniform and unbiased system for seed production and marketing.

The AR Seed Program offers services as part of IP/QA for:

  • Field inspections for: Weed presence, other crops, varietal purity, flowering inspections for soybeans.
  • Tailored Company Forms: Custom application and inspection documents to match company needs participating in IP/QA.
  • Representative sampling of each seed Lot.
  • Seed Lab testing services for warm germination, purity, noxious weed presence, varietal purity, and vigor testing.
  • Inspections of Roundup Ready Soybeans after application prior to harvest.
  • Lab testing to verify Roundup Ready gene presence (for companies with proprietary RR varieties).
  • Seed Labeling: with detailed testing analysis information.

REQUEST IP/QA SERVICES:

  • Fill-out and complete the IP/QA APPLICATION FORM.
  • Submit application as soon after planting as possible.
  • Be aware of specific deadlines for certain services.
  • If it is your first time requesting IP/QA services, allow extra time for setup and program development.

RESTRICTIONS & GUIDANCE ON PRODUCING, ADVERTISING & SELLING CERTIFIED SEED IN ARKANSAS

CERTIFIED SEED REQUIREMENTS: Certified seed must be bagged and tagged with an official certification label to be advertised or sold as “certified.”

  • Exception: Certified Blue-Tag Grade Wheat may be sold in bulk, but must still complete all certification steps (application, field inspection, sampling, analysis, and labeling).
  • Bulk-certified wheat uses bulk certificates instead of a physical tag.

PERMISSIBLE BULK SALES: Only the following are allowed as bulk certified seed sales in Arkansas:

  • Bulk transfers between two licensed certified seed companies.
    • A ‘BULK SEED TRANSFER FORM’ is required to be submitted to the AR Seed Section Office.
    • Interstate and Intrastate Bulk Seed Transfer Forms are located below.
      • SELLER’S RESPONSIBILITIES: The appropriate BULK SEED TRANSFER FORM must accompany the seed shipment. The seller fills-out the top portion of the BULK SEED TRANSFER FORM, providing all required information.
      • BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES: Buyer fills-out the bottom portion of the BULK SEED TRANSFER FORM upon receipt of seed shipment, providing all required information. Once completed, the form must be submitted to the Department’s Seed Section at [email protected].
        • The buyer is responsible for completing the certification process for the seed shipment, which includes submitting a sample for analysis and bagging/tagging the seed according to certification rules.
        • If a buyer decides NOT to certify the seed, but may otherwise resale or deal the seed; the buyer must obtain an AR Seed Dealer/Labeler License and ensure that the seed is labeled in accordance with the Rules.
  • Blue-Tag grade certified wheat. See guidance document posted below.
  • Seed must maintain its identity at all times and be accompanied by the proper bulk transfer form.
  • Once transferred, the seed must undergo complete testing analysis, then be bagged and tagged before being sold as certified.

SAMPLING GUIDELINES: Uncleaned seed may be sampled by Department inspectors for testing analysis. These samples help with conditioning decisions but do not qualify for certification until the seed is cleaned and fully analyzed.

  • Certified Blue-Tag wheat can be sampled in bulk; Registered and Foundation grades require samples from cleaned, bagged seed.

MISLEADING LABELING DISCLAIMER: The phrase “Eligible for certification if bagged and tagged”:

  • Was originally intended for internal auditing purposes only
  • Should not be used in marketing and advertising
  • Cannot be applied to uncleaned seed
  • Seed lacking analysis on cleaned Lots are not eligible for certification

LABELING REQUIREMENTS: A complete analysis is required for both certified and non-certified seed. Labeling requirements are outlined in AR Seed Rules. For bulk seed sales, labeling information must be provided on the invoice or on a separate sheet or tag.

PERMIT & LICENSING GUIDELINES: If you’re growing 100 acres or less of certified seed:

  • $100 Certification Permit covers sales of your own bagged/tagged certified seed or bulk transfers.
  • To sell seed not labeled by the AR Department of Agriculture:
    • You need an AR Seed Dealer/Labeler License ($250).
    • You can upgrade an existing Certification Permit to this license for an additional $150.

ARKANSAS SEED CERTIFICATION RULES

DEPARTMENT RULES WEBPAGE

The AR Seed Law and subsequent certification rules establish:

  • 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

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

ARKANSAS FOUNDATION SEED PROGRAM – ARKANSAS SEED COUNCIL

  • The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Agricultural Experiment Station operates the AR Foundation Seed Program.
  • The foundation program releases eligible varieties for certification to growers that are most assured of maximum production and maintain certified seed production.
  • The foundation program is comprised of an advisory group known as the Arkansas Seed Council, which is comprised of eight (8) voting members and three (3) non-voting members.
  • The AR Seed Council is administered by the Agricultural Experiment Station’s Director as Chairman.
  • For more information, visit the Resource Link below.

FORMS, FEES & RESOURCES

All AR Seed Program Forms are located on this webpage:

SEED PROGRAM FORMS WEBPAGE

FORM SUBMISSION: Mail your check or money order with the associated seed form or application to the Department.

FEES FOR SEED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:

  • Seed Certification Permit:                              $100.00 annually
  • Varietal Application Fee:                               $20.00 per Variety
  • Rice Acreage Fee:                                           $2.25 per Acre
  • All other Crops Acreage Fee:                          $1.50 per Acre
  • Promotional Fee:                                            $0.10 per Acre
  • Late Fee:                                                          $50.00 per Variety
  • Printed Pressure-Sensitive Labels:                $0.10 each
  • Printed Pressure-Sensitive Labels for

Approved reusable bulk containers:            $0.08 per 50 LBS

  • Blank Tags/Labels (less than 5,000)              $0.10 each
  • Blank Tags/Labels (greater than 5,000)        $0.05 each
  • Company-printed Blue Tag Bags:                   $0.08 each
  • Approved Reusable Containers:                    $0.08 per 50 LBS
  • Approved Reusable Superbag:                      $0.08 per bushel
  • Bulk Wheat sold on Bulk Certificates:           $0.08 per bushel
  • Bulk Wheat Certificates (3-part forms):        $0.08 per certificate
  • Seed Treating Equipment Inspection by

Department inspectors:                                 $7.50 per Trip for 2 hours, $10 for each additional hour

  • Seed Processing Plant Inspection by

Department inspectors:                                 $15.00 per Trip for 2 hours, $10 for each additional hour

  • Isolation Inspection by Dept Inspector:        $25.00 per Trip
  • Any Re-Inspection of Field(s):                        one half of acreage fee

RESOURCES FOR SEED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:

SUPPORT / QUESTIONS

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