Steps to the Certification Process
A. Download a certification application (link to cert. application) or contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry's Seed Division for certification applications and regulations for seed crops that can be certified.
B. Use production fields that have no history of troublesome or noxious weeds, and that meet the previous cropping and present isolation requirements for the seed crop to be grown.
C. Select a seedstock class such as breeder, foundation, or registered seed for planting that can be recertified. Save one of the seedstock tags and all purchase records for each variety planted and send these in with your application. If you use your own seedstock, submit a letter indicating the source and year of productions for this seed.
D. Send your completed applications, tags and invoices, fees and detailed field maps prior to the deadline dates to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, Office of Management and Finance Accounts Receivable, P.O. Box 3481, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3481. Phone: (225) 922-1255.
E. Thoroughly clean all planting equipment before planting the seedstock. Use chemical weed controls and follow cultural practices recommended by your Parish Extension Agent.
F. Rogue seed fields to remove other crops, off-type plants and noxious weeds before requesting a field inspection.
G. Growers are to call the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry district office in their area at least 10 days before harvest to request and schedule an inspector to make a field or other required inspections.
H. Thoroughly clean all harvesting, transporting and storage equipment before and between harvesting different varieties or other seed crops in order to avoid mixture.
I. Monitor seed moisture, temperature and quality in storage. Aerate if necessary. Send your own service sample (link to sample submission form) to the seed testing laboratory prior to conditioning in order to monitor seed quality in storage.
J. Notify the LDAF Office of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Seed Division prior to any “grower to conditioner” transfers, sales, purchases or changes in the ownership of Louisiana Certified seed.
K. Condition all seed at an approved seed plant. A list of approved conditioners is available from the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Seed Division. Palletize bags or store seed in bulk areas such that representative samples can be drawn.
L. Contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry district office in your area to request an inspector to draw an official certified seed sample for laboratory analysis. Seedsmen should be present at the time of sampling in order to assist the inspector in locating the seed and in recording the correct information regarding variety and lot number identities.