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GRAANGIDS
2016
GRAIN GUIDE
Address seed quality problems as follows
Undesirable seed quality can affect the success
of your crop. If you suspect or experience any
seed problems, take the following steps to
address this effectively:
• Contact the representative from whom the
seed was bought as soon as possible and
insist on an investigation on site. Also keep
a record of dates and conversations.
• Gather and write down as much informa-
tion as possible, take photos or make
videos to refer back to later.
If the problem is not resolved, do not wait too
long before considering the steps below:
• Contact an independent scientist to do an
investigation on site.
• Inform Grain SA if the seed company
cannot provide the required attention and
solutions for the relevant problems.
If a producer still suspects that there are prob-
lems with the seed he planted after the matter
was taken up with the representative and
the company that provided the seed, he can
contact the Department of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries. This department will carry out a
trade control investigation in terms of the Plant
Improvement Act.
Contact persons
Eastern Cape regional representatives:
Gerald Jack: Port Elizabeth, 041 484 2725
Felicity Daniels: Port Elizabeth, 041 484 2725
Free State regional representative:
Zanele Buhlungu: Bloemfontein,
051 406 0967
Gauteng regional representative:
Christo Botha: Pretoria, 012 319 6139
Western Cape regional representative:
Christo Gouws: Stellenbosch, 021 809 1709
Producers are recommended to keep record
of batch code numbers, as reference samples
of all seed batches are available for dispute
investigations from the relevant registered seed
laboratories where quality controls are carried
out. When purchasing seed, request the germi-
nating percentage for the seed lot concerned.
Producers are advised to retain the actual bag
containing all the necessary traceable informa-
tion for reference purposes.
Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA
Read this before buying seed
Seed companies do not guarantee the quality
of seed if the seed treatment is not done by the
seed company itself, or by a registered chemical
supplier that uses equipment and processes that
are ISO accredited. The treatment for rhizobia
is excluded.
If a chemical supplier handles the treatment, he
must be able to ensure that the treatment will
not affect the germination. The chemicals used
must also be registered in terms of Act No. 36
of 1947 and preferably be recommended by
the seed company for the cultivar concerned.
It is therefore recommended that producers
who do not purchase treated seed but prefer
to have it treated later, do this in collaboration
with the seed company concerned.
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn says the following as
well: ‘Agrochemicals are sometimes wrongly
used for seed treatment to combat the effect
of gerbils. This creates the risk of negatively
affecting seed germination, and it can also
cause environmental damage when seed is
spilt during planting and eaten by birds and
animals. When gerbils have to be controlled,
there are proven management plans that in-
clude rodenticides, and producers are therefore
advised to follow these management plans.’
Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA