Testing Seed in Wyoming
The Wyoming Seed Analysis Laboratory is funded by the State of Wyoming, and administered by 蜜芽TV to serve the seed testing needs of farmers, private and public seed buyers, seedsmen, the Wyoming Crop Improvement Association, University of Wyoming seed researchers, and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. The lab is equipped with modern testing equipment necessary to perform tests on all kinds of seeds, and is staffed with one Registered Seed Technologist and two permanent-staff lab assistants. The Rules for Testing Seeds by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) are used as the basis for the purity analysis and germination tests performed in the seed lab.
Why Test?
Seed being sold in Wyoming must be labeled according to the Wyoming Seed Law and Regulations. The seed law requires all seed being sold to be labeled, and the label must include percentages of pure seed, other crop seed, weed seed, inert matter, and germination. A seed test will give the required values.
Testing saved seed will give the person using the seed a good understanding of the germination potential of his seed lot, and determine if the seed contains any problem weed seeds, including noxious weed seeds. It is advisable to check for problems before planting. If the seed lot has a low germination percentage, a good stand will not be achieved. If the seed lot has noxious weed seeds, or is contaminated with other crop and weed seeds, it may not be suitable for planting.
Samples and lab services
Your test results are only as good as the sample submitted to the lab. It is important to follow proper sampling procedures and provide the lab with a representative sample of the seed lot.
Bulk bins
Obtain 5 to 7 random sub-samples from several areas of the bin using a seed probe which can reach all areas of the bin. Thoroughly mix the probed seed and divide it down to the amount of seed required by the seed lab.
Bagged seed
Randomly sample 5 bags plus 10% of the total number of bags. Regardless of lot size, it is not necessary to sample more than 30 bags. Once the bags have been probed, thoroughly mix the seed drawn from the bags and divide it down to the amount required by the seed lab.
This is a brief list of samples sizes and germination dates for samples we process in the lab. If you don't see a crop you're looking for, visit (view table 2A) or contact the lab.
| Purity (g) | Noxious (g) | TZ/Germ (g) | Germiantion Dates | |
| 453.6 grams = 1 pound | ||||
| Alfalfa | 5 | 50 | 2.5 | 7 |
| *Coated Alfalfa | 8 | 80 | 5 | 7 |
| Bean | 500 | 500 | 200 | 8 |
| *Canadian test requires 1,000 grams | ||||
| Bentgrass | 0.25 | 2.5 | 0.25 | 28 |
| Bitterbrush | 70 | 500 | 35 | 7 |
| Bluegrass | 1.2 | 12 | 1.2 | 14-28 |
| Brome, California | 15 | 150 | 7.5 | 14 |
| Brome, meadow | 14 | 140 | 7 | 14 |
| Brome, mountain | 20 | 200 | 10 | 14 |
| Brome, smooth | 7 | 70 | 3.5 | 14 |
| Cereals | 100 | 500 | 50 | 7 |
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*Please indicate on submission form if you require a larger noxious exam. (Ex. Idaho certified cereals - 1,000 grams) *New crop requires a 5-day pre-chill + 7 day germ |
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| Clover | 10 | 100 | 4 | 10 |
| Fescue | 5 | 50 | 2.5 | 14-21 |
| Foxtail, creeping | 1.5 | 15 | 1 | 21 |
| Foxtail, meadow | 3 | 30 | 1.5 | 14 |
| Globemallow | 6 | 60 | 3 | 28 |
| Grama, side-oats | 6 | 60 | 3 | 14 |
| Kochia, forage | 2 | 20 | 1 | 7 |
| Lupine | 50 | 500 | 25 | 18 |
| Milkvetch | 9 | 90 | 4.5 | 21 |
| Needlegrass | 7 | 70 | 3.5 | 21 |
| Orchardgrass | 3 | 30 | 1.5 | 21 |
| Pea | 500 | 500 | 200 | 8 |
| Ryegrass | 5 | 50 | 2.5 | 14 |
| Saltbush | 19 | 190 | 8.5 | 21 |
| Sagebrush | 1.2 | 12 | 1 | 14 |
| Vetch | 150 | 500 | 25 | 14 |
| Winterfat | 12 | 120 | 6 | 14 |
| Wheatgrass, bluebunch | 8 | 80 | 4 | 14 |
| Wheatgrass, crested | 5 | 50 | 2.5 | 14 |
| Wheatgrass, green | 9 | 90 | 4.5 | 14 |
| Wheatgrass, intermediate | 15 | 150 | 7.5 | 28 |
| Wheatgrass, western | 10 | 100 | 5 | 28 |
Place seed into a tightly sealed container. Many use zip-lock bags, cloth bags, or heavy-stock envelopes. Include the following with the sample or print the Sample Submission Form (pdf).
- Name and address
- Phone number
- Cell number (if available)
- E-mail address
- Kind and variety (or VNS)
- Lot number
- Any other information you would like on the report, such as a grower name
- Type of tests requested
- Treatment 鈥� please indicate kind of seed treatment used if applicable
- The year the seed was grown or harvested
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Purity Analysis: Determines the percentage of pure seed, inert matter, other crop seed, and weed seed in the sample submitted for analysis. Identification is made of other crop and weed seed found in the sample, and reported at its rate of occurrence in seeds per pound. |
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Noxious Exam: Determination of presence and rate of occurrence of noxious weed seeds. All submitted samples requesting a purity analysis are tested for Wyoming noxious weed seeds at no additional cost. If requested, a noxious exam can be performed for a specific state, region or an all states exam. |
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Germination Test: Determines the percentage of normal seedlings that germinate under ideal laboratory growing conditions. The percentage of hard or dormant seeds is also determined when present at no additional cost. When hard or dormant seeds are found in the test, the report of analysis will also indicate the sum of the germination and hard or dormant percentages, which is the total viable percentage. |
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Tetrazolium Test (TZ): A biochemical test that estimates the viability of a seed lot. It is often referred to as a "quick test" since it is normally completed in 24 to 48 hours. It can be done as a "stand alone" viability test, or when done in conjunction with a germination test, a TZ test is used to determine the percentage of viable seeds that are dormant at the end of the germination test. Before labeling seed with a "stand alone" TZ test (without a germination test), check the seed law/regulations of the state where the seed is going to be sold to make sure it is legal to label and sell seed based on a TZ test. |
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Weedy Brome Bulk Examination: A check for weedy bromes on a noxious amount of seed. |
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Seed Count: Determination of number of seeds per pound. |
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Moisture Test: Many agronomic species can be tested on the Dickey-john GAC 2500-UGMA - A Grain Moisture Meter, which is authorized by the Federal Grain Inspection Service as 鈥渢he designated official moisture meter for work within the official system鈥�. Other species can have a moisture test conducted by the oven method using the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules. |
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Test Weight: Determined by the Dickey-john GAC 2500-UGMA - A Grain Moisture Meter. |
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.