Understanding Seed Tags

If you’ve purchased seed from us, you’ve probably noticed a tag attached to every bag. This is called an analysis tag, and it plays an important role in ensuring transparency, quality, and compliance in the seed industry.

What Is the Purpose of Seed Tags?

An analysis tag is a label that outlines exactly what’s in your seed bag and the quality of that seed. It provides key information about the contents of a specific seed lot, giving you confidence in what you’re planting.

This isn’t optional, seed labeling is required by law. Both state and federal regulations mandate that any seed being sold or distributed must include this information. These rules are enforced by departments of agriculture and organizations focused on seed certification and quality standards. The goal is simple: to ensure buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

How Seed Is Tested?

Before a tag is ever created, the seed goes through a detailed process. After harvest the seed is cleaned to remove debris, inert matter, and unwanted contaminants.

Once cleaned, a representative sample from that seed lot is sent to a third party, certified seed testing laboratory. These labs may be operated by state agencies, universities, or private companies, but all follow strict, standardized testing procedures. Oversight organizations establish seed testing regulations that ensure consistency and accuracy across the seed industry.

What is Included in the Seed Analysis Report?

After testing, the lab provides an official report outlining the composition and quality of the seed lot.

This report includes several key components:

Physical Composition of the Seed Lot:

Purity (%): The percentage of the seed that is the intended, labeled species.

Inert Material (%): Non-seed material such as chaff, seed casings, stems, leaves, and other plant debris.

Other Crop Seed (%): Seeds from other non-weed crop species present in the lot.

Weed Seed (%): Any weed seeds detected, including both common and noxious species. (All seed lots sold by Wildland Seed are certified noxious weed-free throughout the U.S.)

Seed Viability:

TZ/Germ (%): This indicates how much of the seed is alive and capable of germination. It is typically reported as a TZ (tetrazolium) test or a germination percentage, depending on the species and testing method used.

How are the Seed Test Results Used When Creating a Seed Tag?

Once the seed test lab results are received, that information is transferred onto the analysis tag attached to your seed bag. The tag is designed to be clear and easy to read. Wildland Seed tags also include species highlights, basic details like the supplier’s information and the net weight of the seed.

Each tag corresponds to a specific seed lot, ensuring traceability and accountability from source to final use.

Seed Tags Are Made With the Customer in Mind

The analysis tag is more than just a label, it’s your assurance of quality and accuracy. It allows you to verify what you’re planting, compare products, and make informed decisions for your project. Seed tags are designed to protect both the buyer and the integrity of the seed industry.