Wash. Admin. Code § 16-302-050 – Submitting an application for seed certification

(1) Seed certification application due dates are:
1. (a) For seed certified by the department: Alfalfa, clover, grasses and rapeseed (seedling applications) - Within 60 days of planting.
  1. (i) Except for crops inspected by WSCIA, an applicant may request to the department a dryland production waiver in advance of planting to postpone a new seedling application due date in areas of dryland production regions when winter kill and spring emergence is an unknown factor to crop stand establishment.
    At its discretion, which may include consideration of current weather and climate data, the department may approve the waiver request in writing to allow for a late seedling application due to assessment of the crop stand and/or quality.
  2. (ii) Seedling applications will not be accepted if received more than 105 days after planting.
  3. (iii) A late application fee will be applicable if the department is unable to process an application for regular inspection intervals. The certification agent may choose to decline the application for seed certification even with an approved dryland production waiver for a late application.
  4. (iv) Applications which cause extraneous measure by the certification agency to process an application and inspect the field may be charged a time and mileage fee in addition to the standard late fee to cover costs.
2. (b) Hybrid canola or hybrid rapeseed - Fall plantings February 1st; Spring plantings - 21 days after planting.
3. (c) Sunflower 21 days after planting.
4. (d) Notification of a seedling field to be harvested for certification in the same year of planting is due July 31st with the required fees.
  1. (i) Bean - 21 days after planting.
  2. (ii) Corn - June 1st.
  3. (iii) Industrial hemp - 21 days after planting.
(2) For seed certified by the Washington state crop improvement association (WSCIA) seed certification application due dates are:
1. (a) Fall planted small grains, peas and lentils - April 1st.
2. (b) Spring planted small grains, peas, lentils, quinoa, and millet - June 1st.
3. (c) Chickpeas - Within 28 days of planting.
4. (d) Hybrid small grains - Fall plantings February 1st; spring plantings - 21 days after planting.
5. (e) Buckwheat and soybean - July 1st.
6. (f) Sorghum - July 15th.
7. (g) Forest tree seed certification - Refer to specific crop requirements in chapter 16-319 WAC.
(3) An application for seed certification must be submitted to the certifying agency each year a producer or grower plans to produce seed for certification of annual crops (beans, peas, grain).
(4) A renewal application for seed certification must be submitted to the certifying agency after a stand is established each year that a producer or grower plans to produce seed for certification of perennial crops (alfalfa, clover, grass, woody plants, and forbs). Due dates for renewal applications are as follows:
1. (a) Alfalfa and clover - April 15th.
2. (b) Grass - April 15th.
3. (c) Woody plants and forbs - April 15th.
4. (d) A late application waiver request for dryland production regions will not be accepted for renewals as the crop stand is established.
(5) Applications received after the due date are assessed a late application fee.
(6) No renewal application for seed certification may be accepted after the due date if a field inspection cannot be conducted prior to harvest except at the discretion of the certifying agency.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, [15.49].021, [15.49].310, [15.49].370, 15.140.030, and chapter 15.49 RCW. WSR 25-09-035, s 16-302-050, filed 4/9/25, effective 5/10/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, [15.49].021, [15.49].310, [15.49].370, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 18-19-017, § 16-302-050, filed 9/10/18, effective 10/11/18; WSR 18-10-055, § 16-302-050, filed 4/27/18, effective 5/28/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.120.030(3), 15.49.021, 15.49.310, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-08-090, § 16-302-050, filed 4/5/17, effective 5/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, 15.49.081, 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3), and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-20-050, § 16-302-050, filed 9/25/14, effective 10/26/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, 15.49.081, 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3) and chapter 17.24 RCW. WSR 00-24-077, § 16-302-050, filed 12/4/00, effective 1/4/01.]