Certified Seed Program

About the Certified Seed Program

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is dedicated to supporting healthy, viable seed growth in Nevada, therefore it provides seed certification services in Nevada. As the only official Seed Certification Agency in Nevada designated by NRS 587 and NAC 587 and by the Association of Official Seed Certification Agencies (AOSCA), the State Seed Program manages a diverse range of seed crops.

Seed crops in Nevada include: 

• Alfalfa Seed
• Barley Seed
• Garlic Seed
• Grass Seed
• Native Seed
• Potato Seed
• Oat Seed
• Triticale
• Wheat

The certified seed in Nevada is primarily located in the northern portion of the state. Some regions where seed is grown include Orovada, Minden, Lovelock, and Yerington.

The various seed species are treated differently regarding certification protocol. Each crop is different in its physiology, therefore it needs to be treated differently when certification occurs according to AOSCA standards. The following information discusses the various seed crop and its purpose in the state of Nevada.

Alfalfa Seed

In Nevada we grow over 5000 acres of high-quality alfalfa seed for domestic and overseas use. We plant conventional alfalfa varieties along with hybrid varieties. All alfalfa seed is grown under irrigation and harvested in a timely manner.

Barley Seed

Barley is mainly grown as a grain crop and as a rotation crop. It can be used as a component in beer and certain distilled beverages as well as for animal fodder.

Garlic Seed

Nevada is one of the premier garlic growing areas in the world. Nevada garlic seed is checked for white rot fungus (Sclerotium cepivorum) annually to establish the highest quality product. Over 1000 acres are grown each year. Garlic from Nevada goes all over the United Sates and the world

Native Seed

Native Seeds are grown for reestablishing range land from wildfires, reclamation, landscaping, and highway seeding. Native seeds are highly desirable, and the Seed Program is becoming more involved with the native seed source ID process and yellow tagging these seeds to designate them as certified.

Grass Seed

High Quality Kentucky Blue grass is grown in Nevada under irrigation. Some seeds are used for sod quality and other seeds are sold to market.

Potato Seed

Potato seed is an up and coming industry for Nevada and a couple hundred acres are grown up north of Winnemucca in Orovada. Potatoes are our most extensive crop when it comes to oversight and regulations. We work closely with our growers to ensure that a high-quality crop is produced on an annual basis

Oat Seed

Oats are grown in Nevada as a good yielding cold tolerant plant. Oats produce a nutrient rich seed that is great for livestock or human consumption.

Triticale Seed

Triticale seed is grown for a high-quality hay and forage for cattle. Triticale has a wide adaptability to drought conditions. A cross between rye and durum wheat, the combination gives drought tolerance and high protein for cattle.

Wheat Seed

Wheat seed is grown in Nevada for livestock feed and as a rotational crop under irrigation and sold as grain

Applications, Forms & Publications

• Certified Seed Crop Procedures
• Certified Seed Forms
• Certified Seed Producers

Certified Seed Tag Examples

These tags can be issued for any seed crop that meets the eligibility requirements of certification.

Certified Seed Tag Example

CERTIFIED SEED

	Kind: Variety:  Lot #: Certification #:
	NOTICE TO BUYER: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF DAMAGES THE SEEDS IN THIS CONTAINER ARE FROM A LOT OF SEED WHICH WAS PRODUCED, CONDITIONED AND INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE NEVADA SEED CERTIFICATION SERVICE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE STATE OF NEVADA BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THIS DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY MAY NOT BE ALTERED OR AMENDED.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE BUYER THAT "CERTIFICATION" OF ANY SEED LOT BY THE STATE OF NEVADA MEANS ONLY THAT THE CERTIFIED SEED LOT HAS BEEN VISUALLY INSPECTED AND THAT RANDOM SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STANDARDS AS SET FORTH BY THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. CERTIFICATION OF ANY LOTS IS NOT A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY THAT THE CERTIFIED LOT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS SUCH AS DESEASE, ROT OR NOXIOUS WEEDS.

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED CERTIFYING AGENCIES

 

Source Identified Seed Tag Example

SOURCE IDENTIFIED SEED

Species Name:  Common Name:  Germplasm ID/Transfer Zone: G0 County, State, Elevation: Lot #: Certification #:

NOTICE TO BUYER: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF DAMAGES

THE SEEDS IN THIS CONTAINER ARE FROM A LOT OF SEED WHICH WAS INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE NEVADA SEED CERTIFICATIONSERVICE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE STATE OF NEVADA BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT BE ALTERED OR AMENDED.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE BUYER THAT "CERTIFICATION" OF ANY SEED LOT BY THE STATE OF NEVADA MEANS ONLY THAT THE CERTIFIED SEED LOT HAS BEEN VISUALLY INSPECTED AND THAT RANDOM SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STANDARDS AS SET FORTH BY THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. CERTIFICATION OF ANY LOTS IS NOT A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY THAT THE CERTIFIED LOT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS SUCH AS DESEASE, ROT OR NOXIOUS WEEDS.

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED CERTIFYING AGENCIES

 

Tested Class Seed Tag Example

TESTED CLASS SEED

	Species Name: Common Name: Germplasm ID:  Generation: Lot #: Certification #:
	NOTICE TO BUYER: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF DAMAGES THE SEEDS IN THIS CONTAINER ARE FROM A LOT OF SEED WHICH WAS PRODUCED, CONDITIONED AND INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE NEVADA SEED CERTIFICATION SERVICE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE STATE OF NEVADA BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THIS DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY MAY NOT BE ALTERED OR AMENDED.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE BUYER THAT "CERTIFICATION" OF ANY SEED LOT BY THE STATE OF NEVADA MEANS ONLY THAT THE CERTIFIED SEED LOT HAS BEEN VISUALLY INSPECTED AND THAT RANDOM SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STANDARDS AS SET FORTH BY THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. CERTIFICATION OF ANY LOTS IS NOT A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY THAT THE CERTIFIED LOT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS SUCH AS DISEASE, ROT OR NOXIOUS WEEDS.

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED CERTIFYING AGENCIES

 

Registered Seed Tag Example

REGISTERED SEED

	Kind: Variety: Lot #: Certification #:
	NOTICE TO BUYER: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF DAMAGES THE SEEDS IN THIS CONTAINER ARE FROM A LOT OF SEED WHICH WAS PRODUCED, CONDITIONED AND INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE NEVADA SEED CERTIFICATION SERVICE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE STATE OF NEVADA BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THIS DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY MAY NOT BE ALTERED OR AMENDED.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE BUYER THAT "CERTIFICATION" OF ANY SEED LOT BY THE STATE OF NEVADA MEANS ONLY THAT THE CERTIFIED SEED LOT HAS BEEN VISUALLY INSPECTED AND THAT RANDOM SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STANDARDS AS SET FORTH BY THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. CERTIFICATION OF ANY LOTS IS NOT A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY THAT THE CERTIFIED LOT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS SUCH AS DISEASE, ROT OR NOXIOUS WEEDS.

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED CERTIFYING AGENCIES