By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Crop Improvement Association (NCIA), rooted in the early 20th Century, continues to play a pivotal role in the state’s agriculture.
As a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Nebraska, NCIA's mission is to verify that Nebraska-produced seed meets stringent certification standards through laboratory tests and field inspections.
Steve Pageler, the association’s certification manager, emphasizes the reliability of NCIA-certified seeds, marked by a distinctive blue tag. This tag indicates that the seeds have passed rigorous third-party testing for germination, purity, and variety identity, providing Nebraska farmers with the confidence they need in their seed choices.
The association predominantly inspects hard red winter wheat, alongside other small grains like triticale, oats, and rye. Its certification scope also includes hybrid corn, popcorn, and native grasses such as big blue stem and little blue stem, ensuring a wide range of high-quality seeds for various agricultural needs.
NCIA also offers educational outreach and can audit the seed production process upon request, further supporting growers in achieving the best possible crop results.
This helps maintain the longstanding trust that farmers place in NCIA when they pick up a seed book to identify certified native grass or wheat seed providers, knowing precisely who they are buying from and the quality they can expect.
The association’s membership is composed almost exclusively of seed producers, typically local farmers who manage all aspects of seed production from growth to sale, often collaborating with public breeding programs. "This is your neighbor who grows seed on his place," Pageler notes, underscoring the community-focused nature of seed certification in Nebraska.
With its comprehensive approach to seed certification, NCIA ensures that Nebraska farmers receive the best seeds adapted to local conditions, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices and community-based farming.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Nebraska, Business, Crops