This summer's rainy weather has had a significant impact on the agricultural sector across Latvia – in many places the rainfall has caused sowings and plantings to flood, sharply reducing yields or destroying part of the harvest entirely. Overall, this situation is causing considerable losses and threatens the viability of many farms. In addition, the quality and volume of the harvest have also been affected by various diseases – fusarium head blight, whiteheads, sooty mould, septoria and others. These challenges are prompting a search for ever newer solutions to make the harvest more resilient to climate change and disease, and so reduce the risk of losses.

Why does certified seed material cost more?

One possible solution is the use of certified seed material. EU regulations stipulate that farmers may not market uncertified seed, but they may use it, and do use it, on their own farms. Although more and more farmers are paying attention to the quality of seed material, several factors put many off – for example, insufficient information about the benefits and advantages, or the cost. However, it is important to understand that certified seed material costs more because time, knowledge and experience are invested in creating a high-quality, tested product with which yield volumes can be forecast and various risks reduced.

Particular attention – keeping crops free of other species and weeds

The process of propagating certified seed material is strictly regulated and monitored under several EU directives, such as the Directive on the marketing of cereal seed or the Directive on the marketing of fodder plant seed, in line with which Cabinet of Ministers regulations have also been drawn up, with compliance and enforcement supervised by the State Plant Protection Service (VAAD). The whole process begins with the grower purchasing seed material from the breeder of the variety or its maintainer, and this is usually either basic seed (clean, tested material propagated under the supervision of the breeder or the variety maintainer) or already first-generation certified seed material (C1) (grown from basic seed). After purchasing the seed and sowing it, the grower submits an application to VAAD, registering their field or fields for certification and providing the seed field data, as well as information about the variety sown, its category and the seed lot.

Before sowing, the crop is also prepared using appropriate agronomic techniques, while during the growing season plant protection products are used to prevent the further spread of various diseases, pests or weeds, as well as, where necessary, manual weeding to eradicate one of the most significant field quarantine organisms – wild oat. VAAD specialists carry out inspections at specific stages of plant development in order to assess whether the crop meets the certification requirements. This includes comparing the crop with the variety description, checking for the presence of other species or weeds, and so on. The results obtained are recorded in a protocol so that a decision can be taken on whether the crop meets the standards. If the assessment is positive, harvesting begins, with particular attention paid to cleanliness in combine harvesters, grain transport, storage facilities and elsewhere.

Both C1 and C2 category seeds deliver good results

After the grain has been harvested, samples are taken from it and a number of indicators are analysed, the most important of which is germination capacity. This is necessary in order to assess whether the harvested material is suitable for further seed processing and for certification. If the sample meets the criteria, it is classified as C1 – first-generation certified seed, which can then be used to grow C2 category seed (second-generation certified seed). With each successive propagation cycle, yield potential and quality parameters may decline, which is why it is important to choose seed material that is certified and tested, as this will deliver a stable yield.

An added benefit – research data from grain producers

Every seed production company puts together its own selection of varieties, based on real growing conditions and market demand. The challenges of the past season – the amount of rainfall and disease – confirmed how important it is to give preference to varieties that are suited to Latvia's climate and at the same time deliver high yield quantity and quality. The optimal choice is varieties that have been systematically tested for several years, both in trials and in production fields. For example, the varieties produced by the seed production company “Dotnuva Seeds” have also been tested in field trials that examine varietal resistance to disease, yield potential and grain quality, all of which are important for ensuring yield stability in changing conditions.

Preparing certified seed is a long and carefully monitored process into which an enormous amount of work, knowledge and experience is invested – from choosing the most suitable varieties and preparing the field through to laboratory analyses and certification of the seed material. Every stage is supervised so that farmers receive tested, clean, uniform seed material with a high germination rate, with which it is possible to plan and forecast the harvest while reducing the risks posed by disease and fluctuating weather. It is a guarantee of the work invested and of stability in the long term.