Section 22. Certified Blends and Mixtures

Blending  is considered part of the conditioning process. Only those conditioners capable of uniform blending shall be accepted into this program. Permission to blend seed lots together must be obtained in advance. Blend requests are submitted online, each request will need to be approved by the CCIA prior to blending. The number on the blend request becomes the new certification number for the seed lot. This new certification number is not preceded by any other designation but may have lot  identification added. If seed lots of different certified seed classes are blended the resulting blended lot shall be  equal to the lowest class of the components except as noted.

22.1  In-Dirt Blend (Field-run or Thresher-run). An in-dirt blend is the comingling of harvested seed of a single variety from fields that have been inspected and passed as a class of certified seed but were assigned different certification numbers. The in-dirt blend is done to establish a single identifying number for handling, storage and conditioning of the same variety and kind of seed eligible for certification. The entire production from an application/field will be used in the blend. The number on the “In-Dirt Certified Seed Blending Permit” becomes the new certification number and is preceded  by the letters CA-D and a 6 digit number: example CA-D123456. This new certification number may  be followed by lot designations. In-dirt blends can be prepared for any class of certified seed, however, if lots of different certified classes are blended, the resulting lot shall be equal to the lowest class of the components.

22.2 Lot Blend. A lot blend is made by blending different lots of the same variety. This blend is often desirable to combine numerous small lots of seed to create one larger uniform lot and to establish a single certification number for handling, storage and marketing. Blending of seed lots which have failed to meet certification standards is also permitted so long as the reason for failure was not for noxious weeds with a prohibited or restricted seed rating, or common weed seeds with zero tolerance. A completed “Lot Blend - Certified Seed Blending Permit” for lot blends (listing all component lots, seed identification numbers, and certification numbers) must be submitted online and approved by the CCIA prior to blending. The calculated weighted average of lots within the certified blend must meet minimum standards for the crop. After blending a seed sample must be taken and submitted for testing. The Laboratory Report of Analysis for the blend must meet crop standards. Blends can be prepared for any class of certified seed however if lots of different certified classes are blended, the resulting lot shall be equal to the lowest class of the components. The certification number on the “Lot Blend - Certified Seed Blending Permit” is comprised of the letters CA-L and a 6 digit number: example CA-L123456.  This new certification number may be followed by lot designations.

22.3  Varietal Blend. A varietal blend is made by blending seed lots of different varieties of the same kind of seed and marketed as a “Named Varietal Blend” of certified seed. For detailed information about  the approval and labeling of varietal blends check the CCIA web site at Seed Lot Blend Information.

1. The conditioner will submit a completed “Varietal Blend - Certified Seed Blending Permit” which identifies each individual lot and variety along  with calculated analysis. The CCIA will verify information submitted and issue approval.

2. The certification number on the “Varietal Blend  - Certified Seed Blending Permit” is comprised of the letters CA-V and a 5 digit number: example CA-V12345.  This  new certification number may be followed by lot designations.

3. The calculated weighted average of lots within the certified blend must meet minimum standards for the crop. After blending a seed sample must be taken and submitted for testing.

4. If the blend lot fails to meet certification standards, the certification tags must be removed and returned to the CCIA.

22.4  Mixture. A mixture is a combination of seed lots from two or more kinds (species) of seed and marketed as a “Mixture of certified seed”. The mixture may contain two or more varieties of the same species. Example of a pasture mixture may contain several seed lots of clover, vetch, and grasses. All component varieties of a “Mixture of certified seed” shall have been approved for certification by the CCIA. Permission to use a protected or proprietary variety in a “Mixture of certified seed” must be obtained from the owner of that variety and presented in writing to the CCIA prior to acceptance of the mixture. Only the Foundation, Registered, or Certified classes of certified seed are eligible to be a component in a “Mixture of certified seed”, however, a mixture can only be labeled as the Certified class of seed. A completed “Mixture - Certified Seed Permit” naming all component lots and their certification numbers and related information must be approved by the CCIA prior to the combination of the mixture. The certification number on the “Mixture - Certified Seed Permit” form is comprised of the letters CA-M and a 5 digit number: example CA-M12345.  This new certification number may be followed by lot designations.