California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors
“Seeds of Excellence” Quality Assurance Program

CPCSD’s “Seeds of Excellence” Quality Assurance Program was adopted to assure customers a consistent supply of the world’s highest quality cotton planting seed.

People

A quality assurance program is only as good as the people who implement it.  CPCSD’s excellent and well seasoned field production team comprised of Steve Groves, Randall Brians, and Jason Tyner, pays close attention to detail and shepherds the seed through every phase from planting through treating and bagging.

Field Selection

Quality assurance begins with careful field selection.  This includes determining acceptable previous crop history and adequate isolation from other fields of cotton following the standards adopted by the California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA).

Field Inspection

During the growing season, field inspections are performed regularly by CPCSD Field Representatives.  Fields are monitored for varietal purity, diseases, weeds, insects, and any other stresses that may impact seed quality.

Genetic Purity and Seed Quality Testing

Field testing for genetic purity in herbicide tolerant varieties occurs during the early growing season by spraying these fields with the appropriate herbicide to confirm tolerance.  Following harvest and ginning, truckloads of all biotech seeds (both herbicide tolerant and insect tolerant varieties) are tested for trait purity utilizing ELISA test strips.  After delinting, final genetic purity testing is performed by Mid-West Seed Services, where testing for warm germination, cool vigor, physical purity, and noxious weed seeds also takes place.  CPCSD’s “in-house” laboratory also performs warm germination and cool vigor testing, genetic purity testing, and determines the number of seeds per pound for each lot in order to provide additional confidence in the quality of the seed we sell.

CCIA Inspections

The California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA) monitors the production of CPCSD’s Foundation, Registered and Certified seed, and provides third party inspection of each seed field to determine compliance with quality standards regarding isolation, varietal characteristics, and contamination from other crops, weeds and disease.  Any fields determined by CCIA as not meeting the standards of Certified Seed are rejected from the Seed Certification Program.

Harvester Inspections

Prior to harvest, CPCSD inspectors examine all harvesting equipment to prevent contamination of CPCSD’s reproduction planting seed with cottonseed of any other variety and/or reproduction class.

Module Testing

Within 24 hours following harvest, CPCSD inspectors test each module of save-seed for moisture and temperature.  During the following 24 to 48 hours, an additional set of moisture and temperature readings are completed to ensure that these parameters are below established thresholds.

Gin Inspections

Inspections are performed by CPCSD Field Representatives to assure that all cottonseed has been thoroughly cleaned out of module moving equipment, gin machinery, storage locations, and fuzzy seed transport trucks to prevent contamination of CPCSD’s reproduction planting seed with cottonseed of any other variety and/or reproduction class.

Fuzzy Seed Storage Temperature Monitoring

As each storage location is filled with fuzzy seed, thermocouple wire probes are placed throughout the seed pile.  Temperature is monitored and recorded on a daily basis and if it begins to rise, cooling fans are activated.  Monitoring continues on a daily basis until the temperature is less than or equal to 80 F.  Once this temperature is met, monitoring occurs on a monthly basis.

Delinting, Cleaning, Treating, and Bagging

Prior to delinting, cleaning, treating, and bagging, all machinery is thoroughly cleaned before handling or processing a new variety or class of seed.  Throughout the process, the condition of the seed is constantly monitored for quality.

The Bottom Line

CPCSD’s Seeds of Excellence program is second to none.  Year after year, you can count on CPCSD to deliver the highest possible quality in every bag of seed we produce.