Agricultural Seed Program

We are currently developing a new process for new and renewal online registrations. We hope to have the new registration website available by July 1, 2023. Check back then for the link. We will not be accepting 2023-2024 seed registration applications or renewals until the new online system is available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Agricultural Seed Program

The Kansas state seed program regulates agricultural seed which includes grass, legume, forage, cereal and fiber crop seeds. Vegetable, fruit, flower, tree and shrub seeds are considered horticultural seeds and are not regulated in Kansas.

The requirements within the Kansas Seed Law (K.S.A. 2-14-15 et.seq.) are there to benefit the producers, dealers and consumers by requiring the seed to be tested and labeled before it is offered for sale.

Farmers use the germination and purity guarantees to determine crop yield. If seed does not meet those guarantees, the crop will be less than expected and the farmer may suffer economically. Poor crop yields may ultimately raise the price of food for consumers.

Inspectors review labels and collect samples of various kinds of seed being offered for sale by seed dealers. If the inspector finds seed that does not comply with the Kansas seed law, or if seed is analyzed and found to be out of tolerance, a stop sale order is issued. That seed cannot be sold until it is brought back into compliance with the Kansas seed law, or it must be destroyed.

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Labeling

Any agricultural seed being offered for sale for the purpose of planting must be labeled truthfully.
Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) inspectors regularly review labels and collect samples of seed being offered for sale throughout the state for testing in a laboratory. Violations result in regulatory actions.
Registration
Every person in the business of selling agricultural seed for the purpose of planting must register with KDA. Anybody selling to the end user, or the person doing the planting, is a retailer and must register as such. Everybody who sells seed to anyone other than the end user needs to register as a wholesaler. Anyone who does business as both a wholesaler and a retailer needs to register as both. Registration fees are based on the type of business being conducted. Seed conditioners must also register but are not charged a registration fee.
- We are currently developing a new process for new and renewal online registrations. We hope to have the new registration website available by July 1, 2023. Check back then for the link. We will not be accepting 2023-2024 seed registration applications or renewals until the new online system is available. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- To register by mail, fill out the registration form here: Fillable Form (save and send) or use the Paper Version (print and send)
- While the registration fees are the same no matter how you register, there is a fee for registering online.
- The license year is September 1 - August 31 .
License fees cover the costs of administering the seed program and enforcement of the seed law.
Certification

Certified seed which is seed of a known variety that has been inspected and found to be genetically pure. These inspections are conducted by an authorized agency to verify that the seed has met state, federal and international requirements. Most certified varieties are protected by federal law and can only be sold by the company that developed them.

For more information on seed certification, contact the Kansas Crop Improvement Association at (785) 532-6118 or go to http://www.kscrop.org/.

The Department of Agriculture’s seed program is constantly working to ensure consumers are protected by truth-in-labeling principles and fair competition among seed businesses through quality and reliability standards.

Interpreting a Seed Label

A seed label contains a lot of important information. Familiarize yourself with these definitions and always read the label before you buy any seed. Remember that while each label is required to have this information, each label may be different so be sure to look carefully.

Kind - The actual plant that will grow from the seed.

Variety - A subdivision of a kind, which has characteristics which differentiate it from other plants of the same kind. Most varieties are protected by federal law and can only be sold by the company that developed them.

Germination % - The percent of all of the seed in the container that is capable of growing into a plant.

Test date - When the germination % was determined. The older the date, the lower the actual germination % may currently be. By law this date cannot be more than 9 months old prior to sale, not counting the month it was tested.

Weed seed % - The amount of weed seeds, by weight, included in the container. State law restricts the number of seeds allowed per pound.

Noxious weed seed - No noxious weed seeds are allowed in any container of agricultural seed. Some of the species listed as noxious on the label may only be noxious in other states. Only Kansas noxious weed seeds are prohibited.

Inert matter - Anything in the container that is not a seed.

Other Crop Seed - All kinds and varieties of agricultural seeds not specifically named on the label.

Hard Seed - Seeds which do not germinate because of a hard seed coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Plant Protection and Weed Control Program?

The Plant Protection and Weed Control Program (PPWC) is a program within the Kansas Department of Agriculture that regulates the Agricultural Seed Industry as well as the Nursery Industry and enforces the noxious weed law.
Why is it important to inspect agricultural seed?

Seed inspections are important to the agricultural industry and to consumers. Farmers use the germination and purity guarantees to determine crop yield. If seed does not meet those guarantees, the crop will be less than expected and the farmer may suffer economically. Poor crop yields may ultimately raise the price of food for consumers.
How does PPWC inspect agricultural seed?

Plant Protection and Weed Control inspectors perform inspections at businesses that sell agricultural seed and collect samples of various kinds of seed. If the inspector finds seed that does not comply with the Kansas seed law, or if seed is analyzed and found to be out of tolerance, the business is issued a stop sale order on the seed. That seed cannot be sold until it is brought back into compliance with the Kansas seed law, or it must be destroyed.
Who can sell agricultural seed?

Anyone can sell agricultural seed as long as they comply with the Kansas seed law. The Kansas seed law requires businesses and individuals who sell agricultural seed, whether wholesale or retail, to register with the State of Kansas.
Is grass seed considered agricultural seed?

Yes. Agricultural seed is defined as the seed of grass, legume, forage, cereal and fiber crops, or mixtures of these, but it does not include vegetable, fruit, flower, tree or shrub seeds.
Is there any agricultural seed that cannot be sold?

Yes. The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) was adopted in 1995 preventing any farmer to sell a protected variety of seed unless he/she has permission from the owner of the protected variety. It is a federal violation to sell PVPA varieties without permission from the owner of the protected variety. To find out if a variety is protected, you may visit this USDA website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/plant-variety-protection. You may also contact the Kansas Crop Improvement Association at (785) 532-6118 or go to http://www.kscrop.org/ for more information.
What is the difference between a wholesaler and a retailer?

A retailer sells agricultural seed directly to the end user or grower. A wholesaler sells agricultural seed at wholesale to any person other than the end user or grower.
How do I get an application and a copy of the Kansas seed law?

You may contact the PPWC office for a seed registration application and a free copy of the Kansas seed law. You may also obtain the application on our website at https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/application-center. The seed law is also available at https://agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/PP-Seed/kansas-seed-law.pdf?sfvrsn=0
What does it cost to get a license?

Currently, a retail license costs $30 per year and the wholesale license $250 per year. These fees fund the PPWC’s agricultural seed program.
Do seed conditioners need to register with KDA?

No, seed conditioners do not need to register with KDA.

Publications

Contacts

Scott Marsh
Weeds and Seed Specialist
785-564-6697
785-207-2118 (M)
scott.marsh @ks.gov

Kansas Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Seed Program