Seed Lab FAQs
- Do I need a Seed Permit in Indiana?
- Are you selling seed in the state of Indiana? If Yes, then see below.
- Are you selling seed with your own name or company name on the seed tag? If Yes, then you need an Indiana Seed Permit.
It’s easy to get a Indiana Seed Permit, simply go to http://www.oisc.purdue.edu/seed/forms.html and click on Seed Permit. That will bring up a form that you can fill out. Forms are also available by mail if need be.
- Do I have to fill out an S-2, "Semi-Annual Distribution Report?"
If you have a seed permit in Indiana, then you need to fill out a Semi-Annual Distribution Report listing all seed sold in Indiana under your name in the state. Remember, if the tag/label has your name on it, you owe the fee. The only exception to this requirement is if the seed seller has a signed agreement with the provider of the seed that states the supplier will pay the seed inspection fees on all seed sold in Indiana.
- How long will it take to get my sample back?
Typically, the seed reports are sent out about three weeks after we receive your seed sample. Some seeds take longer to test than others so your sample may be completed sooner than three weeks or later.
- How much seed do you need to send for a sample?
For agricultural seeds a quart-size Ziploc bag should cover it. For vegetables or other very small seeds a pint size bag will work. The tests use 400 seeds for planting and more than that for the purity or noxious weed tests.
- Do we need to know when and where the seed was grown?
Yes, it is important to know if the seed has previously been tested and has an existing tag, or this is first year seed that has never been tested before.
- What kind of tests does the Seed Lab perform?
We regularly perform many different types of tests. The primary three are: germination, purity and noxious weeds. To sell seed in Indiana and if your seed is being used in conjunction with a government program, many times those three tests are required. We also test for GMO traits, seed counts and others.
- Does the Seed Lab do tests for just noxious weeds? Or all weeds?
Yes, we can run tests just looking for weeds. We can also test for just germination, or just seed count, or just GMO traits.
- What contact information do you need from me?
Please Include your full address, email and phone number in case we need to contact you about your sample. This also helps us to move your sample through the process quicker if we have questions.
- What if I have multiple samples?
On each submitted sample, write clearly a number or name. The more information, the better so we can distinguish your samples apart. Also, for your records if you have a descriptive name it may help you down the road. Some examples might be: clean and uncleaned, field numbers, farm names and field numbers. Any way that helps us tell the samples apart and helps you with your records.
- Where can I access all the forms I need?
Visit our forms page at: http://www.oisc.purdue.edu/seed/forms.html