august seed of the month

August 2014

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August Seed of the Month

June/July 2014 Seed

Raspberry Rubus Spp.Rosaceae

CENTRAL DIRECTOR

Ken Penner from BioVision in Winnipeg has accepted the position of Central Director. The CSAAC welcomes Ken abroad and appreciate his experience and knowledge to assist the board. For central members, please feel free to contact Ken directly [email protected] if you have any concerns or issues or to just to congratulate him. Thanks again!

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy August 2014

mailto:[email protected]


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Industry Advisories Available on CFIA website

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has on its website new and revised industry advisories. The advisories found on the CFIA website include:

Questions and Answers: The use of variety names and the import and sale of unregistered varieties.

Notice to Registered Seed Establishments. Samplings and testing requirements for seed imported into or sold in

Canada. Testing, Grading, Tagging, Labelling and Advertising of Plant Pest

Tolerance Management (PPTM) Varietal Blends of Corn Seed. Federal and Provincial Requirements of Labelling of Weed Species in

Ground Cover Mixtures. Monitoring of Seed Mixtures – Application of a 20% Tolerance to

Labelled percentages and to some standards.

On another section of the CFIA website, you can find new information about importing and exporting seed. In the Exports section there is a new set of questions and answers about multiplying Canadian seed abroad. In the Imports section, the ABC’s of Importing Seed to Canada has been updated; and a new import schematic has been added.

There is also a Guidance Document Repository on the CFIA website which makes it easier to locate regulatory documents on Seed, Plants and Animals.

CHANGE IN NAME FOR SIRA’s

SIRA, Seed Import Release Agent name has now been changed by CFIA to SICA, Seed Import Conformity Assessor which more reflects the responsibilities of the individual. Any questions or concerns on this change please e-mail CFIA directly.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy August 2014 of 20

Did You Know?

The CSAAC’s “Did you know?” column is an opportunity for CSAAC Members to shade interest and timely information with other CSAAC members. Each contribution will earn you one (1) Association Participation point towards your continuing education requirements. Anything that you find of interest will be of interest to other analysts. Send something in at any time.

Excerpt from Gem James President of CSAAC 1966

“The Ounce as a unit of weight was originally determined and defined as the weight of 640 kernels of wheat well dried and gathered from the middle of theear. This was done by Henry III in 1266 and it should not really surprise anyone when you consider another unit of weight called the grain (.0648 grams) which is still used by pharmacists and metallurgists. The grain as a unit weight evolved exactly as you might suspect from the actual use of grains, kernels or caryopses of wheat and barley as standard weights on balances.

In Eastern and Mediterranean countries they used the seed of the Carob as a weight standard. The carob is a Mediterranean evergreen and diamonds are still weighed in carats, a unit of weight originating from the carob seeds.

Henry I, Henry III’s uncle, in 1100 A.D. defined the yard as that distance from the tip of his nose to the end of his outstretched thumb; he also defined an inch as the length of three good grains of barley laid end to end and the “barley corn” a unit of measure as 1/3 of an inch.

Isn’t it wonderful to think that the avoirdupois, troy and apothecaries systemsof weights and measures and the English system of measurement of distance are based on the seeds of wheat and barley?

Even in the medieval ages they recognized the importance of seed. I could not find a reference but I am sure that some seed analyst must have counted them at one time or another and found them endless.”


Proficiency Testing Program

– Voluntary Participation by Laboratories

SSTS is now accepting voluntary participation by Laboratories in the PT program. This allows labs to have training opportunities in crops their labs are not accredited for. It also allows accredited seed analysts to keep up their skills on crops they may not see at the lab they are currently working at. The purpose is only for training. Voluntary participation in a PT from SSTS gives the CSAAC members 1 continuing education participation point. If you wish to become part of the PT program as a voluntary participant, please advise SSTS directly.

GERMINATION MAGAZINE

We need articles for Germination Magazine. CSAAC will give you 2 participation points for each one submitted. The articles only have to be 500 words and can include pictures.

If you are interested in writing an article and can't think of a topic, please contact Cathie Ornawka at [email protected] for assistance. All articles are edited by the committee so even if you put the basics together; the committee can assist you in finalize it.

Thank you for considering writing an article to help us maintain our CSAAC presence in the Germination Magazine.

SEED ANALYST ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE

The CSAAC Examination Standing Committee name has been changed to Seed Analyst Accreditation Committee. There have been a set of protocolsset for the committee approved by the CSAAC board which will be posted on the CSAAC website. The current chair of the committee is Lisa Greenan. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Lisa directly [email protected] or contact the CSAAC office directly at [email protected].




SEED SWAP

Seed Swap has now been ongoing for 2 years. We started the project in 2013 and will continue into the future. It has been a worthwhile project that provides verified seed samples to our CSAAC members. As we move our convention to other provinces, other labs will step up to put the sets together. There is now a protocol set-up to assist them with that. Our next convention is Saskatoon 2015; if your lab would like to assist with putting sets together next spring, please contact CSAAC office. You will receive continuing education points for doing this.

The actual seed samples come from seed analysts who have collected them throughout the harvesting season. The seed samples are sent to SSTS for verification. SSTS accepts samples all year around; please make sure to send enough seeds as we usually make up at least 40-45 sets.

All attendees at the annual convention/workshop receive a set as part of their attendance fees. The extras are sold off. This year after the convention the extra sets from 2013 and 2014 were sold off and supply quickly ran out beforedemand. If you want to know what has been collected and disbursed so far, see the 2013 and 2014 listings on the CSAAC website.

If you have suggestions for things you need, please advise CSAAC office so we can spread the word for analysts to collect them.

Watch for next year’s set at the 2015 convention/ workshop in Saskatoon.CSAAC Breaking Dormancy August 2014 of 20

Historian’s ReportChateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario.

May 27, 2014 by Gail Livingstone

Happy 70th Anniversary, CSAAC.

Back in 1944 when our founding members started this Association, I wonder if they dreamed that the CSAAC would reach its 70th Anniversary. The founding members were an interesting group of ladies. Ivah Clark, probably the backbone of the endeavour, gave her heart and soul to the CSAAC. She was the secretary of the Association for so many years and kept meticulous records of each and every meeting. Back in the beginning days and for many years after that, the members personally absorbed the costs of the CSAAC. Many took turns hosting meetings at their homes, supplying refreshments and solving problems as they came along. There were no grants or subsidies then and meetings were not held during business hours.

Mary Lamphier was probably the first woman seed trader in Canada. She was a seed analyst but also did some buying and selling of seed, travelling to the New Liskeard area and eventually out West to buy timothy seed.

Margaret Lothian was the first analyst to have her own private lab. It was called Seed Testing Services and it prospered for many years. The other analysts were employed by Toronto seed companies

These analysts were all former Department of Agriculture analysts and the laboratory services fell under the name of Plant Products Division. The Association received support and guidance from Mr. W. H. Wright, Arthur Heise, Dr. B.F. Forward, Mr. E.J. Doyle and Norman Lewis of Agriculture Canada, and also from the analysts’ immediate employers.

Kathleen Bailey, Elizabeth Ford and Christine McArthur were also key players in the beginning of the CSAAC.

Members of the Association have always been dedicated individuals from the beginning through to the present day. The CSAAC could not have survived without their efforts.


At this time I would like to mention the Past Presidents that are now deceased.

Ivah Clark 1944-1946Kathleen Bailey 1946-48Margaret Lothian 1948-1950Mary Lamphier 1950-52Grace Green 1957-59Christena MacArthur 1967-69Doris Ballantine 1971-73Mildred MacPhee 1975-1977Richard Speare 1977-79Marie Greeniaus 1979-1981 and 1989-1991

There have been many more Presidents, many of which are here today.Margaret McAllister, Gem James, Gail Livingstone, Ann Tanner, Catharine Breadner, Janet Stoner, Marilyn French, Sarah Foster-Stubbs, Glen Green, Bonnie Anderson, Morgan Webb, Mary Ellen Van Zelst, Diane Gilhuly, TerryMcIntee, Betty Girard and Christine DeRooy. Many thanks to all of them for their leadership and guidance over the past years.

The nucleus of the CSAAC began in Eastern Canada in the Toronto area. Eventually it evolved to have two additional Branches: Central Branch (Prairie Provinces) and a Western Branch. Then a few years ago a Quebec Branch was added.

Annual Meetings were a one-day affair followed by a Banquet. Later the Annual Meeting turned into a two day meeting with a workshop to enable analysts to solve problems within the CSAAC and to also acquire knowledge and participate in “hands on” analytical issues in Purity and Germination.

Many laboratories became Government Accredited and are working in that capacity today.

The past 70 years have had many issues and growing pains to overcome, and no doubt there will be many more down the road but with the strength, commitment and guidance of the membership, the CSAAC will certainly continue to prosper in the years ahead.CSAAC Breaking Dormancy August 2014 of 20

CANADIAN SEED INSTITUTE’SNEW WESTERN CANADA REPRESENTATIVE

DANIELLE FLETCHER

I am pleased to announce that CSI concluded our search for a CSI WesternCanada Representative to succeed Ken Stoner. Danielle Fletcher, based inLethbridge, Alberta, comes to CSI from Becker Underwood/BASF, where shewas working as their Technical Development Specialist for their biologicaland seed enhancement products.

Danielle brings with her over 15 years of experience working in the seedindustry in Canada. She was the Senior Production Agronomist for PioneerHi-Bred Production Ltd., where she led their seed production program whichincluded the oversight of crop certification, seed conditioning, seed treatingand the importation and exportation of seed. In her earlier years, she was aSeed Production Coordinator with United Grain Growers/Proven Seed. Danielle has a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba and is aprofessional member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists.

Danielle can be reached at her home office as follows:

Danielle Fletcher CSI Western Canada Representative

Lethbridge, Alberta [email protected] Phone: 587-425-2500 Fax: 587-425-2195 Toll Free: 855-831-1313

Roy van Wyk, Executive Director, Canadian Seed Institute



CSAAC YEAR-END CHANGE

At the CSAAC annual meeting in Ottawa 2014, a motion was passed to change the year end of the CSAAC association from October 31st to December 31st. This change is effective 2014. There will be an audit for the year of November 1st 2013 to October 31st 2014. Then a 2 month audit of November 1st 2014 to December 31st 2014. At that time, the new term will begin from January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2015.

Membership fee invoices will now be sent out the last week in December and due by the end of January. The CSAAC board decided to absorb any costs associated with the November/December 2014 period and not levy any specialmembership fee for that short term. Watch for your membership fee invoice to arrive at the beginning of January 2015.

BY-LAW CHANGESTO MEET NEW NON-PROFIT REGULATIONS

At the CSAAC annual meeting in Ottawa 2014, a motion passed to accept the new by-laws as circulated earlier in the year. The completed forms and a copy of the by-laws were sent to Industry Canada and CSAAC office has received our new Incorporation Papers. The new by-laws will be translated into French. The English version will be posted on the CSAAC website; and the French version will follow as soon as translated. The translation may takesome time so I will notify you as soon as it is available.


ANNUAL MEETING/WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE

For maintaining Continuing Education Points, it is a good idea for members toplan to attend an annual convention at least once in any 3 year period. The Continuing Education points are collected and reviewed for a 3 year period. Right now the 3 year term is 2012 to 2014. On January 1st, the 3 year term will be from 2013 to 2015 and thus any points in 2012 no longer count. Exemption is for new CSAAC members whose terms start the year following their membership acceptance.

Getting Educational Points is one of the benefits of attending; however, it is certainly not the only one. Both Meeting and Workshop bring further opportunities in training, education and networking.

Updates on seed regulations, grade tables, weed seed order, SLAAP, PT program and M&P are all available at the meetings. Plus CSAAC members are on various committees which provide feedback to various programs. Youcan voice your own concerns at the meeting and when there are M&P proposals you will have a vote on that change.

CFIA, SSTS and CSI are all at our meetings and participating in them. CSTA and CSGA will provide updates at our meetings so you can network with them as well.

The CSAAC convention moves from East to West and back again. We will be planning to be in Saskatoon every 3 years to take advantage of the SSTS lab there for our workshop. Other locations will vary with what ideas we get from members to consider a CSAAC convention in their area. In 2015 CSAAC convention will be in Saskatoon and in 2016 in Ottawa City.

Watch out for when the convention is coming to your area, and mark it down to attend. The attendance at the CSAAC Open Forum and Annual Meetings is worth 2 Educational points and the attendance at the workshop is worth 2 Education points as well for a total of 4 educations points.

The CSAAC board is continuing to make arrangements at least 2 years ahead to get the best deal for our convention. Hotels can book up quite quickly so booking way ahead keeps us prepared and not caught short.


MY HOLIDAYS

I just came back from a delightful hiking and driving holiday with Maurice (my hubby) through Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. We saw and experienced many delightful things in nature including cold days, hot days (100 F), sunny days, rainy days and really windy days. We even went out of our way to see snow; I know winter ends in May and we missed it already, yuck. Seeing it though alongside the wildflowers fields is so much different. We also experienced summer for a time without ANY mosquitoes, Hurrah. We had the lovely experience of hiking without being eaten alive. Anyway took some pictures of some beautiful wildflowers or native species if you prefer. Not naming any of them; just took them for their beauty and thought you might like to see them. Have a great rest of the summer.


HAPPY SUMMER DAYS FROM MAURICE & BETTY

Calendar: 2014-16

CSI Board and Annual Meeting Ottawa, Ontario Nov 17th to 18th, 2014

AOSCA Annual Meeting Vancouver, B.C. June 21st to 24th, 2015

CSAAC Annual Meeting Saskatoon, Saskatchewan June 22nd to 24th, 2015

CSAAC Annual Meeting Quebec City, Quebec May 30th to June 1st, 2016

Breaking Dormancy is distributed to CSAAC Members. Please note the opinions expressed are those ofthe contributors and are subject to change. Comments do not necessarily reflect the policies of theCSAAC Board of Directors. Feedback and/or comments from members are invited.

Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada Inc, Box 208, 301 Rothesay Street, Douglas, MB. R0K 0R0, Office Phone: 204-763-4610, Email: [email protected] Website: www.seedanalysts.c a


http://www.seedanalysts.c/


august seed of the month

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