Variety ID Tests Available

Variety identification testing is a certification requirement of the North Dakota Seed Department for spring wheat, field pea and barley. This test must be completed prior to the sale of seed.

According to Jeff Prischmann, Diagnostic Lab Manager, spring wheat certification samples are tested using wheat seed protein and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Seed proteins are extracted and tested to differentiate spring wheat varieties from each other based on a specific seed protein banding pattern or fingerprint.

Barley and field pea certification samples are tested utilizing seed DNA. The test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with specific markers to identify the correct variety.

Due to the number of samples that the Seed Department tests, wheat samples are generally completed in 3-7 days after receiving samples. DNA tests of barley and field pea generally are completed in 7-10 days. The turnaround time for the varietal tests is about the same amount of time required to complete a germination test.

These tests provide benefits to the seed producer. Problems with seed lots can be identified early in the process thus eliminating embarrassment and the potential for costly litigation.Prischmann acknowledges that a vast majority of samples are correctly identified by the seed grower but there are instances when the storage bin was mislabeled or two or more varieties were inadvertently placed in the same facility.

In addition to variety identification testing for seed certification, variety testing is also available to growers not in the seed certification program. The costs of these tests start at $120 for wheat/oat and $180 for barley/field pea. Growers are required to submit at least ¼ pound sample. My office does have heavy duty envelopes which can be used to submit samples.

Milestone for Canadian Thistle

Field research has shown that a fall application of Milestone at the labeled rate of 5 to 7 fluid ounces per acre is extremely effective on Canada Thistle. Tank mixing with another herbicide is not necessary. Milestone alone will control Canada Thistle. Applications can be made in the fall as long as there is live Canada Thistle foliage. Even though Canada Thistle leaves will begin to die, generally there is still excellent efficiency up to late October as long as there is some green foliage.

The Williams County Weed Control Board offers cost-share assistance of Milestone to resident landowners.

Agricultural Land Values Based on Market Value

Agricultural land values, for assessment and taxation purposes, are not based on market value. Agricultural land values are based on the land’s agricultural value, known in laws as the capitalized average annual gross return. Calculating the capitalized average annual gross return, which is performed prior to December 1 each year by the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University (NDSU), takes into consideration a number of factors; including production (acres X yield X price), input costs, along with interest rates. This calculation results in an average agriculture value per acre of cropland, non-cropland and inundated agricultural land for each county. NDSU calculates the average values per acre and provides that information to the Tax Department. The Tax Department certifies and distributes these values to the 53 counties at the end of each year. The counties use these average values when setting their agricultural land values for assessment and taxation purposes.

NDSU considers three main factors, which are integral to the calculation of agricultural land values. These factors include: production data, the cost of production index, and the capitalization rate.