Matt Kerton, DSV Wheat Breeder
With cost pressures and supply chain challenges top of mind, many farmers are increasingly tempted by the apparent savings of replanting their own grain. But certified seed has benefits too.
While farm-saved seed can offer some upfront cost savings, avoiding certified seed may result in hidden costs later on, says Kirsty Richards, national technical manager for seed at Frontier Agriculture.
“Farm-saved seed has long been an attractive option for arable farmers looking to cut costs – on the surface, it seems straightforward to clean, test, treat and replant grain from last year’s harvest without purchasing certified seed.”
The key risks of using farm-saved seed include weed infestations, seed-borne diseases, and inconsistent germination rates. While farm-saved seed is now cleaner than it once was, certified seed undergoes rigorous testing and traceability checks.
“Growers who use farm-saved seed must also factor in additional costs for cleaning, treating, and testing the seed, which can add up quickly, especially if poor germination or contamination arises.”
Certified seed undergoes strict inspection as the crop grows in the field setting a high standard before the seed is even harvested. On arrival at the lab, the seed is sampled, assessed and thoroughly cleaned to ensure it meets quality standards.
Certified seed also offers the benefit of traceability, says Dr Richards. “When you plant certified seed, you’re starting with a known quality. It gives you the consistency you need to plan crop protection and nutrition strategies effectively.”
Disease resistance
DSV wheat breeder Matt Kerton says varieties like Champion are designed with a focus on yield, disease resistance and quality.
“The assurance that comes with certified seed is invaluable, particularly in a year when conditions have been difficult.”
“Champion is a great example of a variety that has been bred for resilience,” he says.
“It performs consistently across a wide range of UK growing conditions, with strong dis-ease resistance and the potential for high yields.
Mr Kerton adds: “Using certified seeds rather than farm-saved alternatives plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of plant breeding.
“This isn’t just about improving yields in the short term; it’s about building resilience for the future.”
On-farm benefits
Norfolk arable farm manager, Toby Hogsbjerg, who grows seed crops for DSV, Secobra, Saxon and ADM at the Wicken Estate, says there are definite benefits to using certified seed.
“When certified seed arrives on farm, you know it’s only second or third generation, which means it’s got the optimal amount of vigour that breeders have intended, and has less chance of being contaminated with disease.
“With certified seed, you are guaranteed strong germination, and a very high thousand-grain weight (TGW) and importantly, it will be without any inherent disease issues that you risk with home-grown seed.”
Mr Hogsbjerg says it is important for farmers to support seed breeders. “Yes, the seed can be more expensive, but when you factor in the higher yields and the lower risk of disease and weed pressure, the return on investment is there.”