DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT  
PESTICIDE AND PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT DIVISION  
REGULATION NO. 623. FIELD SEED CERTIFICATION  
(By authority conferred on the director of agriculture and rural development by section 2  
of 1959 PA 221, MCL 286.72, and section 178 of the Executive organization act of 1965,  
1965 PA 380)  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 285.623.101 Designation of seed certifying agency.  
Rule 101. The Michigan crop improvement association is designated an official seed-  
certifying agency to assist and advise the director of the department of agriculture in  
certifying the varietal purity, quality, vitality, and freedom from disease of seeds of  
field crops and turfgrass in accordance with these rules and standards.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.102 Seed origin and list of varieties.  
Rule 102. (1) Certified seed shall be the progeny of foundation seed as defined in the  
act.  
(2) Only properly named and properly described varieties and hybrids shall be  
eligible for certification.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.103 Production of certified seed; restrictions.  
Rule 103. (1) If a kind of seed is submitted for certification for which standards have  
not been established in these rules, association of official seed-certifying agencies  
standards for that kind of seed will be used. These standards are contained in the  
AOSCA Certification Handbook, Publication No. 23, June, 1971. The provisions of  
this publication are adopted by reference in these rules. The publication may be obtained  
from the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, P.O. Box 6311,  
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39759, or from the Michigan Department of Agriculture,  
P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909, at a cost as of the time of adoption of these  
rules of $30.00.  
(2) The production of certified seed of more than 1 variety of a crop on the same farm  
shall be based upon approval by the certifying agency.  
(3) Certified seed shall not be produced on land that grew any of the following plants  
the previous year:  
Page 1  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(a) An inseparable species that has the same growing season, except when summer  
fallowing intervenes. When control measures can be applied to eliminate volunteers,  
this waiting period may be reduced as determined by the seed-certifying agency.  
(b) Plants of another variety of the same species.  
(c) Plants of the same variety unless such plants came from certified seed.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.104 Field conditions.  
Rule 104. (1) A field that contains more than an occasional weed which produces seed  
that is not readily separable from the crop seed or that contains weed growth that will  
impair seed quality or prevent adequate field inspection is ineligible for certification.  
Field borders and weedy areas in the field may require mowing before harvest if, in the  
judgment of the inspector, such action is necessary.  
(2) Crops that are submitted for certification shall be rogued of weeds, other varieties,  
and other crop plants by the grower before field inspection.  
(3) Crops which show a lack of vigor, a lack of uniformity, or evidence of inadequate  
cultural care or which are weedy or are subject to other conditions that are detrimental  
to the production of high-quality seed are ineligible for certification.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.105 Inspections and final certification.  
Rule 105. (1) A field inspection shall be performed by the certifying agency when all  
of the following can best be determined:  
(a) The identity of the variety.  
(b) Mixtures.  
(c) Weediness.  
(d) Disease infection.  
(e) Vigor.  
(f) Crop quality.  
(g) In the case of corn, factors that affect proper pollination. The inspector shall survey  
the field sufficiently to evaluate accurately the factors that affect eligibility for  
certification.  
(2) Seed that is submitted for certification shall be harvested and handled in a  
manner that avoids mixtures and shall be stored and conditioned in a place and in a  
manner approved by the certifying agency. Storage identification tags shall be affixed to  
each storage container of seed that is eligible for certification. The tags shall contain all  
of the following information:  
(a) Grower's name.  
(b) Variety.  
(c) Class.  
(d) Bin number.  
(e) Field number.  
Page 2  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(3) Final certification by the official certifying agency shall be based upon inspection of  
a minimum representative sample of 5 pounds of cleaned seed. In the case of small-  
seeded legumes, a minimum representative sample of 1 pound of cleaned seed shall be  
submitted. The submitted sample of cleaned seed shall be representative of the entire  
lot of seed to be offered for sale.  
(4) Analysis, examinations, and germination tests of seed shall be conducted in  
accordance with the rules of the association of official seed analysts entitled "Rules for  
Testing Seed", Volume 12, No. 3, 1988, revised in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. The  
rules are adopted by reference in these rules and are available from the Michigan  
Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Division, 1615 South Harrison Road, East  
Lansing, Michigan 48823, or from the Association of Official Seed Analysts,  
Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, 268 Plant Science, IANR-UNL, Lincoln,  
Nebraska 68583-0911, at a cost as of the time of adoption of these rules of $30.00.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.106 Containers and tags.  
Rule 106. (1) A bag of seed that is to be offered for sale or sold as certified, registered,  
or foundation seed shall be identified as to variety. Seed that is offered for sale or  
sold as certified, registered, or foundation seed shall be placed in new bags that have  
a 100-pound capacity or less and shall have been inspected, and approved by the  
certifying agency. This seed may also be placed in bulk bags that have a 50-bushel  
capacity or less and which may be reused if they are constructed so as to be self-cleaning  
to prevent contamination by any previous crop residues. Bags shall be sealed pursuant  
to instructions that are issued by the certifying agency. Attached to each bag shall be an  
official tag that is issued by the official certifying agency. Bags shall be tagged or  
labeled pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 329 of the Public Acts of 1965, as  
amended, being S286.701 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and these rules.  
(2) Certified seed containers will be identified with a blue tag which indicates that the  
certification standards established in these rules have been met.  
(3) Certified seed of field beans, soybeans, and small grains may be identified by a  
yellow tag, which indicates that all of the certification standards as established in these  
rules have been met, except for the standards for germination. Field bean, soybean,  
and small grain seed may be identified with a yellow tag if the minimum germination  
is not more than 10 percentage points below the minimum germinations standards for  
certified seed established for these crop kinds. The yellow tag shall carry the  
following statement on the front panel of the label: "Meets all Michigan certification  
standards for certified seed except germination."  
(4) All rules for the production, conditioning, and testing of certified seed shall apply to  
bulk transactions, except that the seed does not have to be in bags. All of the following  
additional requirements shall apply to the bulk sale of certified seed:  
(a) All field and seed standards that apply to bagged seed shall also apply to bulk  
certified seed.  
(b) Certified seed may be sold in bulk only by an approved retail seed facility or by the  
processor. Certification is not valid after more than 2 transfers of ownership.  
Page 3  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(c) Bulk certified seed shall move to the consumer or approved bulk retailer by using  
serially numbered bulk sales certificates. The seller shall provide copies of these  
certificates to the buyer and the certifying agency.  
(d) The director shall have the authority to audit all records related to bulk seed at any  
time and inspect the facilities of any processor or approved bulk retailer who sells  
certified seed in bulk.  
(e) It is the seller's responsibility to handle seed in a manner to prevent mixtures and  
contamination, supply seed that has been tested and meets all certification requirements,  
and determine that the container, bin, or vehicle receiving the bulk certified seed is  
clean. If the container, bin, or vehicle is not clean, it shall be noted on the bill of sale.  
The seller shall also obtain a representative sample of each load of bulk certified seed  
sold and keep this sample at least 1 year after final disposition of the lot.  
(f) It shall be the buyer's responsibility to maintain the purity of the seed after it has  
been loaded into the buyer's container, bin, or vehicle.  
(g) The bulk sales certificate issued by the certifying agency shall take the place of  
the certified seed tag. The certificate shall contain labeling information pursuant to the  
provisions of Act No. 329 of the Public Acts of 1965, as amended, being S286.701 et  
seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and these rules. The buyer shall receive a  
certificate for  
each load of bulk certified seed.  
(h) The processor shall be assessed certification fees for certified seed sold in bulk.  
(i) Processor and bulk retail facilities shall be approved before certified seed is  
handled in bulk. Before approval, all procedures for receiving, storing, dispensing, and  
recordkeeping shall be reviewed by the certifying agency. An applicant shall  
demonstrate acceptable procedures for maintaining the purity and identity of bulk  
certified seed. Approval may be withheld if an applicant has not provided records or  
documentation as required by these rules.  
(j) For all bulk certified seed, a separate storage bin shall be available for each  
variety that will be sold in bulk. All bins shall be inspected and approved before  
receiving any seed. Bins, augers, conveyers, and other equipment shall be cleaned before  
the storage or handling of certified seed. Bins shall be clearly and prominently labeled  
to indicate that they have been approved and to show the kind and variety of seed. All  
bin openings shall be closed to prevent contamination, except when seed is being put into  
or removed from the bin.  
(k) At the completion of each season (by December 15 for winter crops and by August  
1 for all other kinds), the owner or manager of each approved facility shall file a  
report of all movements of bulk certified seed. The report shall include the amount of  
seed grown or conditioned or purchased for bulk sale and the source of bulk seed,  
including the name of the processor, the variety, and the lot number. The report shall  
also include the amount of bulk certified seed sold by variety, the lot number, and the  
current inventory of seed remaining for each variety and lot.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.107 Grading and blending.  
Page 4  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Rule 107. (1) Each variety shall be graded so as to conform to screen sizes as  
recommended by the official certifying agency and approved by the director of the  
department of agriculture.  
(2) Two or more lots of certified seed of the same variety, strain, or hybrid may be  
blended if previously approved by the official certifying agency. The quality  
represented for the blend shall be that of the least desirable lot in the blend, unless 2  
unrelated composite samples that are taken by the official certifying agency show the  
blend to be uniform.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.108 Seed from out of state.  
Rule 108. Seed which is produced in another state or country and which is sold and  
delivered in this state as certified, registered, or foundation shall have been certified  
by a legally constituted agency of the state or country of origin in accordance with rules  
and standards that are equivalent to those established in these rules. Seed of such origin  
that is represented or labeled as registered shall have been produced and certified in  
accordance with rules and standards that are equal to or better than the rules and  
standards that are established for Michigan certified seed.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.109 Interagency certification.  
Rule 109. If the Michigan crop improvement association participates with another  
certifying agency in performing services that are required to certify the same lot or  
lots of seed, the standards for such interagency certification shall be the standards  
provided in these rules. Seed that is produced and field-inspected in Michigan may be  
shipped in bulk for conditioning and final certification by the Michigan crop  
improvement association or may be conditioned in Michigan to be shipped out of state  
for final certification by the Michigan crop improvement association. This same  
certification procedure may be utilized for seed that is shipped into Michigan from a  
cooperating state.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.110 Modification of standards.  
Rule 110. The minimum quality standards for foundation and certified seed, other  
than the standards that affect genetic purity as established in these rules, may be modified  
by the director of the department of agriculture when application of a standard would  
threaten the continued normal propagation of a crop variety.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
Page 5  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
R 285.623.111 Definitions.  
Rule 111. As used in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, being S286.71  
et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws.  
(b) "Field crops" means any agricultural crop that is grown for food, feed, forage,  
fiber, or oil.  
(c) "Off-type" means any seed or plant that is not a part of the variety because it deviates  
from 1 or more of the characteristics of the variety as described and may include any of  
the following:  
(i) A seed or plant of another variety.  
(ii) A seed or plant that is not necessarily any variety.  
(iii) A seed or plant that results from cross-pollination by another kind or variety.  
(iv) A seed or plant that results from uncontrolled self-pollination during production  
of hybrid seed.  
(v) Segregates from any seed or plant that are listed in paragraphs (i) to (iv) of this  
subdivision.  
(d) "Small grains" means any of the following kinds of agricultural seed:  
(i) Wheat.  
(ii) Oats.  
(iii) Barley.  
(iv) Rye.  
(v) Spelt.  
(vi) Triticale.  
(e) "Turfgrass" means any agricultural grass that is used primarily for lawn or  
ornamental purposes and includes any of the following:  
(i) Perennial ryegrasses.  
(ii) Fescues.  
(iii) Kentucky bluegrasses.  
(iv) Annual ryegrasses.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.199 Rescission.  
Rule 199. R 285.623.1 to R 285.623.29 of the Michigan Administrative Code,  
appearing on pages 1274, 1276, and 1280 to 1282 of the 1979 Michigan Administrative  
Code and pages 217 to 223 of the 1985 Annual Supplement to the Code, are rescinded.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
PART 2. FIELD CROP STANDARDS  
R 285.623.201 Applications for field crop inspection and certification.  
Rule 201. An application for field crop inspection and certification shall be made to  
the certifying agency on or before the dates specified by the certifying agency.  
Page 6  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.202 Isolation.  
Rule 202. The seed of that portion of a crop which is to be field-inspected and  
which is less than 6 feet from an inseparable species, a variety of the same species, or the  
same variety grown from noncertified  
seed shall not be harvested for certification. An open-pollinated crop shall be in  
compliance with the isolations prescribed in this part.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.203 Field beans; field and seed standards.  
Rule 203. (1) Field standards for field bean seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
.01%  
none  
Certified  
.01%  
none  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum)  
Inseparable other crops  
Bacterial bean blight--percent  
of plants infected (maximum)  
Anthracnose or common bean mosaic  
0.001%  
0.001%  
0.005%  
0.005%  
(2) Seed standards for field bean seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
99.0%  
Factor  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
Foundation  
99.0%  
1.0%  
none  
1.0%  
none  
Other crops (maximum)  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum)  
Contrasting colored varieties/ off-types  
(maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
Badly damaged seed (maximum)2  
1.0%  
2 per 100 pounds 5 per 100 pounds  
(20/cwt)1  
(2/cwt)  
(20/cwt)1  
85.0%  
(2/cwt)  
Common bean mosaic virus (maximum)  
Anthracnose or bacterial blight infected  
seed (maximum)  
3.0%  
none  
5.0%  
none  
1 Represents .01% for navy beans  
2 "Badly damaged" refers to beans that are seriously injured or badly discolored by  
frost, weather, disease, insects, or other causes which seriously affect the seed lot.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
Page 7  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
R 285.623.204 Soybeans; field and seed standards.  
Rule 204. (1) Field standards for soybean seed are as follows:  
Maximum Each Class  
Factor  
Foundation  
.05%  
Certified  
.1%  
Other varieties or off-types  
Inseparable seed plants:  
Corn (with kernels) and others  
none  
none  
(2) Seed standards for soybean seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
98.5%  
Factor  
Foundation  
98.5%  
1.5%  
none  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
1.5%  
none  
Other crops (maximum)  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
1 per 3 pounds  
0.1%  
1 per pound  
0.5%  
80.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.205 Small grains and buckwheat; field and seed standards.  
Rule 205. (1) Field standards for small grain seed and buckwheat are as shown in table  
205.1:  
TABLE 205.1  
Field Standards for Small Grain Seed and Buckwheat  
Maximum Each Class  
Factor  
Foundation  
.02%  
Certified  
.05%  
Other varieties or off-types  
Inseparable other crops  
Bunt  
1 per acre  
none  
5 per acre  
none  
Other smuts  
.5%  
2.0%  
(a) Rye, spelt, vetch, and winter barley are not permitted in wheat.  
(b) Seed from fields that have more than 0.5% other smuts must be treated with a  
fungicide that is approved by the director.  
(2) Rye must be 660 feet from fields that could be a source of contamination.  
(3) Seed standards for small grain seed and buckwheat are as shown in table 205.2:  
Page 8  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
TABLE 205.2  
Seed Standards for Small Grain Seed and Buckwheat  
Factor  
Foundation  
99.0%  
Class of Seed Certified  
99.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
1.0%  
2 per pound  
1.0%  
2 per pound  
Corn cockle, chess, and noxious  
weeds (maximum)  
none  
None  
Other crops – no rye or vetch  
allowed (maximum)  
1 per 2 pounds  
2 per pound  
Winter crops in spring crops  
Spring crops in winter crops  
Other varieties or off-type same  
crop (maximum)  
Germination (minimum) wheat,  
oats, barley, or triticale  
Germination (minimum) rye, spelt,  
or buckwheat  
5 per 2 pounds  
5 per 2 pounds  
10 per pound  
10 per pound  
.02%  
.05%  
90.0%  
80.0%  
(a) Minimum pure seed percentage of rye or spelt is 98.0%; with inert matter at a  
maximum of 2.0%  
(b) This does not apply in such cases where climatic conditions do not take care of the  
situation.  
History: 1994 AACS; 2023 MR 6, Eff. March 28, 2023.  
R 285.623.206 Red clover and alfalfa; field and seed standards.  
Rule 206. (1) Red clover or alfalfa seed shall be planted on land on which the same  
crop has not been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation  
seed and 2 years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before  
seeding, the land shall be in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer  
red clover or alfalfa plants as determined by field inspection. Manure or other  
contaminating amendments shall not be applied during the established and productive  
life of this stand.  
(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(4) Field standards for red clover and alfalfa seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
Certified  
0.2%  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum)none  
Page 9  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Other crops (maximum)  
Isolation (from other red clover or  
alfalfa fields respectively)  
(minimum)  
none  
1 plant per acre  
165 ft.  
900 ft.  
(5) Seed standards for red clover and alfalfa seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
99.0%  
1.0%  
0.15%  
none  
Certified  
99.0%  
1.0%  
0.2%  
none  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious (maximum)  
Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted  
noxious (maximum)  
Other crops (maximum)  
Sweet clover (maximum)  
Other varieties or off-types  
(maximum)  
9 per pound  
18 per pound  
9 per pound  
45 per pound  
0.2%  
45 per pound  
0.1%  
1.0%  
Germination and hard seed (minimum)  
85.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.207 Birdsfoot trefoil.  
Rule 207. (1) Birdsfoot trefoil seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop  
has not been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed  
and 2 years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding,  
the land shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer  
birdsfoot trefoil plants as determined by field inspection. Manure  
or  
other  
contaminating amendments shall not be applied during the established and productive life  
of the stand.  
(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(4) Field standards for birdsfoot trefoil seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Foundation  
Certified  
Less than5 acres Less than  
5 acres or more 5 acres or more  
5 acres  
0.2%  
Factor  
Other varieties or off-types  
(maximum)  
Sweet clover (maximum) none  
0.1%  
none  
0.1%  
1 plant 1 plant  
0.2%  
Page 10  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
per acre per  
acre  
Isolation from flowering  
plants of other varieties  
or uninspected plants  
(minimum)  
Isolation between different  
seed classes of the same  
variety (minimum)  
900 feet 600 feet 330 feet 165 feet  
225 feet 150 feet 85 feet 45 feet  
(5) Seed standards for birdsfoot trefoil seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
98.0%  
2.0%  
Certified  
98.0%  
2.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
0.1%  
0.2%  
Prohibited noxious (maximum)  
Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted  
noxious (maximum)  
Other crops (maximum)  
Other varieties or off-types  
(maximum)  
none  
none  
30 per pound  
0.2%  
45 per pound  
1.0%  
0.1%  
1.0%  
Sweet clover (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
15 per pound  
45 per pound  
80.0%  
Germination less hard seed (minimum)  
45.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.208 Crownvetch.  
Rule 208. (1) Crownvetch seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop has not  
been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed and 2  
years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding, the land  
shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer crownvetch  
plants as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating amendments  
shall not be applied during the established and productive life of the stand.  
(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(4) Field standards for crownvetch seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Foundation  
Certified  
Less than5 acres Less than 5 acres  
Page 11  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Factor  
5 acres or more 5 acres or more  
Other varieties or off-types  
(maximum)  
1 plant 1 plant 5 plants 5 plants  
per acre per acre per acre per acre  
Sweet clover (maximum) none  
per acre per acre  
none  
1 plant 1 plant  
Isolation from flowering  
plants of other varieties  
or uninspected plants  
(minimum)  
Isolation between different  
seed classes of the same  
variety (minimum)  
900 feet 600 feet 330 feet 165 feet  
225 feet 150 feet 85 feet 45 feet  
(5) Seed standards for crownvetch seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
98.0%  
Factor  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Foundation  
98.0%  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
2.0%  
0.1%  
2.0%  
0.5%  
Prohibited noxious (maximum)  
Restricted noxious (maximum)  
Other crops (maximum)  
Sweet clover (maximum)  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
Germination less hard seed (minimum)  
35.0%  
none  
27 per pound  
0.2%  
9 per pound  
0.1%  
none  
45 per pound  
1.0%  
45 per pound  
1.0%  
65.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.209 Perennial cross-pollinated grasses (timothy, reed canarygrass,  
and orchardgrass).  
Rule 209. (1) Timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass seed for the production of  
foundation seed shall be planted where the same species has not been seeded or grown  
for at least 5 years.  
(2) To be eligible for the production of timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass  
certified seed, a field shall not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the  
previous 2 calendar years unless either the crop was of the same variety and the same or  
a higher seed class and passed field inspection for certification or had been summer  
fallowed for 2 full seasons before seeding to another variety. Fall seeding is  
permitted in the second year.  
(3) The certifying agency will determine the length of time that fields will be eligible  
for certification.  
Page 12  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(4) Fields shall be rogued before harvest to remove off-type plants and other grasses or  
weeds which have seed that cannot be removed by mechanical means.  
(5) Field standards for timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Other varieties 1  
Isolation (feet)2  
Foundation  
none  
1,320  
Certified  
1:50  
1653  
1Maximum permitted ratio of plants.  
2When different classes of seed of the same variety are being grown on the same or  
adjacent farms, the isolation requirements may be reduced to 25.0% of these distances.  
3(a) For fields that are certifiable except for isolation, the field boundary may be  
established by placing permanent 5-foot posts, 90 feet from the offending field, on  
either edge of the field. The crop between the newly established boundary lines and  
the offending field may be removed after flowering as a separate field. The crop may  
be harvested as uncertified seed.  
(b) When 2 fields are separated by a natural or permanent barrier, such as a township,  
county, state, or federal highway, drainage ditch, or tree or shrub row, the isolation may  
consist of a 15-foot strip next to the barrier that can be either destroyed by mowing  
after bloom, but before harvest, or harvested as uncertified seed. The barrier shall be  
free of headed plants of the crop being inspected.  
(6) Seed standards for timothy seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Foundation  
99.0%  
0.2%  
0.2%  
0.1%  
Certified  
99.0%  
0.5%  
0.5%  
0.5%  
Total weed seeds (maximum)  
Other crop seeds (maximum)  
Other varieties (maximum)  
Other grasses (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Prohibited weed seeds none none  
0.1%  
1.0%  
0.2%  
1.0%  
Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound  
Germination (minimum)  
9 per pound  
80.0%  
(7) Seed standards for reed canarygrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
96.0%  
0.3%  
0.1%  
0.2%  
Certified  
96.0%  
0.5%  
2.0%  
2.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Total weed seeds (maximum)  
Other varieties (maximum)  
Other crop seeds (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Prohibited weed seeds  
4.0%  
none  
4.0%  
none  
Page 13  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound  
Germination (minimum)  
9 per pound  
75.0%  
(8) Seed standards for orchardgrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
90.0%  
0.3%  
0.1%  
0.2%  
Certified  
90.0%  
0.5%  
2.0%  
1.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Total weed seed (maximum)  
Other varieties (maximum)  
Other crop seeds (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Prohibited weed seeds  
10.0%  
none  
10.0%  
none  
Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound  
Germination (minimum)  
9 per pound  
85.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.210 Rape.  
Rule 210. (1) Rape shall be planted on land on which the same crop has not been  
previously grown for a minimum of 4 years for producing foundation seed and 3  
years for producing certified seed.  
(2) Fields that produce foundation seed shall have a minimum isolation distance of  
1,320 feet from fields of any other variety of the same kind with similar erucic acid  
levels or from a noncertified field of the same variety.  
(3) Fields that produce certified seed shall have a minimum isolation distance of 660  
feet from fields of any other variety of the same kind with similar erucic acid levels or  
from a noncertified field of the same variety.  
(4) Fields that produce foundation or certified low erucic acid types of rape seed shall  
have a minimum isolation distance of 2 miles from high erucic acid types. Likewise,  
fields that produce foundation or certified high erucic acid types of rape seed shall  
have a minimum isolation distance of 2 miles from low erucic acid types. Low erucic  
acid types of rape seed shall have an erucic acid level of 2.0% or less. The required  
isolation distance between fields of different classes of the same variety shall be 10 feet.  
(5) Field inspections shall be made when the crop is in the flower stage and at any other  
time as deemed necessary by the seed-certifying agency.  
(6) Field standards for rape seed are as follows:  
Maximum Each Class  
Factor  
Foundation  
0.05%  
Certified  
0.2%  
Other varieties or off-types  
Inseparable other crops,  
Non-brassicaceae  
Inseparable other,  
Brassicaceae spp.  
1 plant per acre 5 plants per acre  
None 1 plant per acre  
Blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans .001%  
.005%  
Page 14  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(7) Seed standards for rape seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
99.0%  
Factor  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Foundation  
99.0%  
1.0%  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious weeds  
Restricted noxious weeds and other,  
Brassicaceae spp. (maximum)  
Other weeds (maximum)  
1.0%  
none  
none  
1 per pound  
5 per pound  
5 per pound  
15 per pound  
0.25%  
Total other crop seed (maximum) 0.05%  
Other varieties and off-types  
(maximum)  
0.05%  
0.25%  
Germination (minimum)  
85.0%  
(8) All foundation and certified rape seed that is sold in Michigan is required to be  
tested by a method which is approved by the director of the department of agriculture and  
which is found to be free of virulent strains of blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans.  
These test results shall be stated on the seed label.  
(9) The certifying agency shall have the authority to request laboratory results from the  
producer for each lot of seed that is eligible for certification. These results shall be  
from an approved laboratory and shall indicate the erucic acid and glucosinolate  
content of the seed.  
(10) All foundation and certified rape seed that is sold in Michigan shall be treated  
with an approved fungicide which is effective against seed-borne blackleg,  
Leptosphaeria maculans.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.211 Lupine.  
Rule 211. (1) A field shall not be eligible for certification if lupines were grown in the  
same field the previous year, unless the previous crop was grown from certified or  
foundation seed of the same variety.  
(2) Field inspections shall be made when the field is in full bloom.  
(3) Lupine fields that produce certified seed shall be isolated by a distance of not less  
than 660 feet from fields of any other variety of lupines or fields of the same variety  
that are not in compliance with the varietal purity requirements for certification.  
(4) Field standards for lupine seed are as follows:  
Maximum Each Class  
Factor  
Foundation  
0.02%  
Certified  
0.1%  
Other varieties or off-types  
(5) Seed standards for lupine seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Page 15  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Factor  
Foundation  
98.0%  
Certified  
98.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Other varieties or off-types  
(maximum)  
Other crop seeds (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seeds  
0.1%  
none  
2.0%  
none  
0.5%  
1 per pound  
2.0%  
none  
Germination (minimum)  
85.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.212 Adzuki beans.  
Rule 212. (1) One field inspection will be made before harvest on all fields of adzuki  
beans that are eligible for certification.  
(2) Stage of inspection - the field inspection shall be made at the time of leaf drop, just  
before harvest.  
(3) Field standards for adzuki bean seed are as follows:  
Maximum Each Class  
Factor  
Other variety or off-types (maximum) .05%  
Other inseparable crops none  
Foundation  
Certified  
.5%  
none  
(4) Seed standards for adzuki bean seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
99.0%  
Factor  
Foundation  
99.0%  
1.0%  
none  
1 per 3 pounds  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
Other crops (maximum)  
1.0%  
none  
1 per pound  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum) .05%  
Germination (minimum)  
.5%  
90.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.213 Perennial pea.  
Rule 213. (1) Perennial pea seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop has  
not been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed  
and 2 years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding,  
the land shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer  
perennial pea plants as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating  
amendments shall not be applied during the established and productive life of the stand.  
(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.  
Page 16  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(4) Field standards for perennial pea seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Foundation  
Certified  
Less than  
5 acres or more 5 acres or more  
5 acres  
Less than  
1 plant  
5 acres  
Factor  
Other varieties or  
off-types (maximum)  
Vetch, Vicia spp.  
1 plant 1 plant 5 plants 5 plants  
per acre per acre per acre per acre  
None none  
1
plant  
(maximum)  
acre  
per acre per  
Isolation from flowering  
plants of other varieties  
or uninspected plants  
(minimum)  
Isolation between different  
seed classes of the same variety  
(minimum)  
900 feet 600 feet 330 feet 165 feet  
225 feet 150 feet 85 feet 45 feet  
(5) Seed standards for perennial pea seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
97.0%  
Factor  
Foundation  
97.0%  
3.0%  
0.1%  
none  
27 per pound  
0.1%  
10 per pound  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weeds (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious  
Restricted noxious  
Other crops (maximum)  
Vetch, Vicia spp. (maximum)  
3.0%  
0.5%  
none  
45 per pound  
0.1%  
45 per pound  
0.1%  
60.0%  
Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 0.1%  
Germination (minimum)  
Germination less hard seed (minimum)  
30.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.214 Foundation corn; inbred lines.  
Rule 214. (1) An inbred line is a relatively true breeding strain of corn that results from  
not less than 5 successive generations of controlled self-fertilization with selection.  
Page 17  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(2) Inbred increase fields must be isolated by a distance of not less than 660 feet from  
other corn or like color or texture and by a distance of not less than 1,320 feet from corn  
of a different color or texture.  
However, the isolation distances must not apply when increase is by hand-pollination.  
(3) Inbred lines are eligible for certification when used in the production of certified  
hybrids.  
(4) Fields must be inspected by the certifying agency not less than 4 times during the  
pollinating period. Roguing for off-type plants must be performed before any pollen  
discharge. An inbred that has more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or more than  
1.0% of doubtful-type plants must not be certified.  
(5) A seed lot of an inbred line must not have more than 0.1% definitely off-type ears or  
more than 0.2% ears with of-color kernels as determined by an ear inspection or winter  
grow out test.  
History: 1994 AACS; 2023 MR 6, Eff. March 28, 2023.  
R 285.623.215 Foundation corn; single cross hybrids.  
Rule 215. (1) A single cross hybrid must consist of the first generation of a cross  
between 2 certified inbred lines.  
(2) A single cross crossing field must be isolated by a distance of not less than 660 feet  
from other corn of like color or texture and 1,320 feet from corn of a different color of  
texture.  
(3) All of the following field inspection standards must be complied with:  
(a) Fields must be inspected by the certifying agency not less than 4 times during the  
pollinating period.  
(b) Seed parent plants that are capable of producing viable pollen must be detasseled.  
(c) When 5.0% or more of the seed parent plants in a crossing field have apparently  
receptive silks, the field is ineligible for certification if shedders comprise more than  
0.5% of the seed parent plants on any 1 inspection or exceed an accumulative total of  
more than 1.0% for any 3 consecutive inspections.  
(d) A shedder is a seed parent plant that has more than 1 lineal inch of tassel area with  
anthers shedding pollen.  
(e) One or more seed parent lines growing in the same isolation and having more than  
5.0% apparently receptive silks are ineligible for certification if 1 or more of the seed  
parent lines have more than 0.5% shedders, unless the plants in the area that have excess  
receptive silks are destroyed.  
(f) Roguing for off-type plants must be performed before the time of pollen discharge.  
(g) A crossing field in which more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or more than  
1.0% doubtful-type plants in the pollen parent have shed pollen must not be certified.  
(h) At the time of the last inspection, the seed parent in a crossing field must not  
contain more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or 1.0% of doubtful-type plants.  
(4) A seed lot of a single cross hybrid must not have more than 0.1% definitely off-type  
ears or more than 0.2% ears with off-color kernels as determined by an ear inspection or  
winter grow out test.  
History: 1994 AACS; 2023 MR 6, Eff. March 28, 2023.  
Page 18  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
R 285.623.216 Certified single cross, double cross, and 3-way hybrids.  
Rule 216. (1) A double cross hybrid is the first generation of a cross between 2 single  
cross hybrids. A 3-way cross hybrid is the first generation of a cross between a  
single cross hybrid and an inbred line.  
(2) A certified double cross of 3-way corn hybrid shall be produced from foundation  
seed (single cross or inbreds or both) that has been produced under the inspection of  
the official seed-certifying agency or  
a seed-producing agency which is  
recommended by the Michigan state university agricultural experiment station and  
the official certifying agency and which is approved by the director of the  
department of agriculture.  
(3) All of the following isolation standards shall be complied with:  
(a) A crossing field shall be so located that the seed parent is not less than 660 feet  
from corn of a different color or texture. When the contaminating source is the same  
color or texture of corn, the distance can be modified by the size of the crossing field  
and by planting border rows of pollen parent in accordance with the following table:  
Field Size in Acres  
Minimum  
9 or  
40 or  
Border  
Rows  
less  
10-19  
20-29  
30-39 more  
Distance  
660  
577  
495  
412  
330  
247  
165  
627  
544  
462  
379  
297  
214  
148  
594  
511  
429  
346  
264  
181  
115  
561  
478  
396  
313  
231  
165  
66  
545  
462  
330  
290  
214  
165  
66  
2
4
6
8
10  
12  
14  
(in feet)  
of seed  
rows  
from  
other  
corn  
(b) Border rows to offset a lack of isolation distance shall be planted adjacent to the  
exposed side or sides of the crossing field and shall produce an abundance of viable  
pollen at the time the seed parent silks are receptive.  
(c) Insufficient isolation distance can be offset by destroying a portion of the seed  
parent in a manner and at a time specified by the official certifying agency.  
(d) Two or more hybrids may be produced in the same field if the same pollen parent  
is used.  
(4) All of the following field inspection standards shall be complied  
with:  
(a) The standards in this rule apply only when 5.0% or more of the seed parent plants  
have apparently receptive silks.  
(b) Crossing fields shall be inspected by the official certifying agency not less than 3  
times during the pollinating period.  
Page 19  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(c) A crossing field is ineligible if shedders, as defined in R 285.623.215(3)(d), are  
more than 1.0% of the seed parent plants at any 1 inspection or if an accumulative total  
of more than 2.0% shedders is found on any 3 consecutive inspections.  
(d) Off-type plants shall be removed before pollen discharge.  
(e) Corn that is harvested from crossing fields which are found to be ineligible for  
certification shall not be sold for seed purposes.  
(5) Both of the following seed inspection standards shall be complied with:  
(a) Samples for moisture and germination determination shall be furnished to the  
official certifying agency after the seed has been dried and shelled by the producer.  
(b) Seed shall have a minimum germination of 90.0% and a minimum purity of 99.0%.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
PART 3. TURFGRASS SEED STANDARDS  
R 285.623.301 Application for inspection and certification.  
Rule 301. (1) An application for inspection and certification of turfgrass seed shall  
be made to the seed-certifying agency by May 1 of each year in which seed is  
produced.  
(2) If a field, other than an annual ryegrass field, is not inspected by the seed-certifying  
agency for 2 consecutive years, it is ineligible for production of foundation or certified  
seed.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.302 Isolation.  
Rule 302. (1) A field that is used for the production of certified seed shall be in  
compliance with the minimum specified isolation distances from fields of any other  
variety of the same species or closely related species, unless the field is used to  
produce seed of the same variety and generation and is certified. A field that produces  
seed of the same variety, but of a different generation, shall be isolated by a distance of  
25.0% of the specified distance between varieties. This standard is to apply to all  
turfgrass crops unless otherwise noted in the specific crop standards. An adequate  
distance between seed crops shall be maintained to prevent mechanical mixture.  
(2) If a bluegrass variety is less than 80.0% apomictic, then a 900-foot isolation distance  
from other varieties is required if a field is used to produce foundation seed and a 165-  
foot isolation distance is required if a field is used to produce seed of a certified class.  
(3) An isolation strip may be used for any of the following purposes:  
(a) To produce a crop of another species.  
(b) To grow the same species, but the strip shall be cut to prevent seed production.  
(c) To grow the same species, but seed from the isolation strip shall be harvested  
separately and conditioned as uncertified. Reinspections in the field and warehouse will  
be made to insure that this identity is maintained.  
Page 20  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(4) For a certified class of grass seed only, varieties that are 95.0% or more apomictic,  
as defined by the originating breeder, shall have the isolation distance reduced to a  
mechanical separation only.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.303 Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne and Lolium hybridum).  
Rule 303. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, any other variety of  
perennial ryegrass during the previous 5 years to be eligible to produce foundation  
seed. Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, any other variety of  
perennial ryegrass during the previous 2 years to produce certified seed unless the seed  
is of the same variety and class and is certified.  
(2) Perennial ryegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(4) Field standards for perennial ryegrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
none  
Certified  
1.0%  
Other varieties (maximum)  
Isolation1, 2, 3  
Less than 5 acres (minimum)  
More than 5 acres (minimum)  
2,640 feet  
900 feet 165 feet  
330 feet  
1 This distance shall be maintained from all varieties of ryegrass. Diploid ryegrass  
varieties need not be isolated from tetraploid ryegrass varieties, except for a distance of  
15 feet to prevent mechanical mixture.  
2 Fields that are used to produce foundation perennial ryegrass seed shall be isolated a  
minimum distance of 330 feet from tall fescue.  
3 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.  
(5) Seed standards for perennial ryegrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
97.0%  
0.1%  
Certified  
97.0%  
3.0%  
Total ryegrass (minimum)  
Other ryegrass (maximum)  
Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 0.1%  
Total other crop including other  
0.5%  
ryegrass (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seed (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none  
Restricted noxious weeds and  
0.2%  
3.0%  
0.15%  
3.5%  
3.0%  
0.5%  
none  
St. Johnswart, docks, sheep  
sorrel, bedstraw (maximum)  
27 per pound  
45 per pound  
Page 21  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Germination (minimum)  
85.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.304 Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum and Lolium rigidum).  
Rule 304. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to annualryegrass during  
the previous 5 years, unless the land was used to produceannual ryegrass seed that is of  
the same variety and class and iscertified. Land shall not have grown, or have been  
seeded to perennial ryegrass during the previous 5 years to produce foundation seed,  
and the previous 2 years to produce certified seed.  
(2) Annual ryegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.  
(3) Field standards for annual ryegrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
none  
Certified  
1.0%  
Other varieties (maximum)  
Isolation 1, 2,  
Less than 5 acres (minimum)  
More than 5 acres (minimum)  
2,640 feet  
900 feet  
330 feet  
165 feet  
1 This distance shall be maintained from all varieties of ryegrass,either annual or  
perennial. Diploid ryegrass varieties need not beisolated from tetraploid ryegrass  
varieties, except for a distance of 15 feet to prevent mechanical mixture.  
2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.  
(4) Seed standards for annual ryegrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
97.0%  
0.1%  
Certified  
97.0%  
3.0%  
Total ryegrass (minimum)  
Other ryegrass (maximum)  
Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 0.1%  
Total other crop including other  
0.5%  
ryegrass (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seed (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none  
Restricted noxious weeds and St.  
Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,  
0.2%  
3.0%  
0.15%  
2.5%  
3.0%  
0.3%  
none  
bedstraw (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
27 per pound  
45 per pound  
90.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.305 Bluegrass (Poa spp.).  
Page 22  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Rule 305. (1) The standards of this rule for bluegrass include Kentucky, rough, and big  
bluegrasses.  
(2) To be eligible to produce bluegrass certified seed, land shall not have grown, or  
have been seeded to, bluegrass during the previous 3 years, unless the previous crop was  
of the same variety and class and was certified. To produce foundation seed, land  
shall have been free of bluegrass for 5 years.  
(3) Bluegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.  
(4) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(5) Field standards for bluegrass seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
none  
165 feet  
Certified  
2.0%  
165 feet  
Other varieties (maximum)1  
Isolation2, 3 (minimum)  
1 Includes off-type plants as may be designated by the varietal description.  
2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.  
3 Mechanical isolation is required between rough bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass.  
(6) Seed standards for bluegrass seed are as follows:  
Other America  
Varieties  
Merion  
Factor  
Foundation  
95.0%  
0.1%  
5.0%  
0.1%  
Certified Certified  
95.0%  
0.25%1  
5.0%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Other crop (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seed2 (maximum)  
92.0%  
0.25%1  
8.0%  
0.3%  
0.3%  
Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none  
Restricted noxious weeds and St.  
Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,  
none  
none  
bedstraw (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
27 per pound  
--  
45 per pound  
75.0%  
45 per pound  
75.0%  
1 Common Kentucky bluegrass is limited to 3.0% in merion, sabre, and colt rough  
bluegrass and 2.0% in all other varieties.  
2 Annual bluegrass is not allowed in foundation seed.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.306 Fine fescue (Festuca rubra, Sub var rubra, Fallax, Ovina var  
duruiscula).  
Rule 306. (1) The standards of this rule for fine fescue include chewings, red, and  
hard fescues.  
Page 23  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(2) To be eligible to produce fine fescue foundation seed, land shall not have grown,  
or have been seeded to, this species during the previous 5 years. Land shall not have  
grown, or have been seeded to, fine fescue grasses during the previous 18 months to  
produce certified seed, unless the previous crop was of the same variety and class and  
was certified.  
(3) Fine fescue shall be planted in distinct rows.  
(4) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
(5) Field standards for fine fescue seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
none  
Certified  
1.0%  
Other varieties (maximum)1  
Isolation2, 3  
Less than 5 acres (minimum)  
More than 5 acres (minimum)  
1,320 feet  
900 feet  
330 feet  
165 feet  
1 Includes off-type plants.  
2 Hard fescue need not be isolated from red or chewings fescue.  
3 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.  
(6) Seed standards for fine fescue seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
97.0%  
Factor  
Foundation  
98.0%  
0.1%  
2.0%  
0.1%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Other crop (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seed (maximum)  
0.25%  
3.0%  
0.3%  
Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none  
Restricted noxious weeds and St.  
Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,  
none  
bedstraw (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
27 per pound  
45 per pound  
85.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.307 Tall fescues (Festuca arundinacea).  
Rule 307. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, tall fescue during the  
previous 5 years to be eligible to produce foundation seed. Land shall not have grown,  
or been seeded to, tall fescue grasses during the previous 2 years to produce certified  
seed, unless the previous crop was of the same variety and class and was certified.  
(2) Tall fescue shall be planted in distinct rows.  
(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety  
may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the  
limitations that are established by the certifying agency.  
Page 24  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
(4) Field standards for tall fescue seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Certified  
1.0%  
Factor  
Foundation  
none  
Other varieties (maximum)1  
Isolation2, 3  
Less than 5 acres (minimum)  
More than 5 acres (minimum)  
1,320 feet  
900 feet  
330 feet  
165 feet  
1 Includes off-type plants.  
2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.  
3 Fields that are used for the production of foundation tall fescue seed shall be isolated  
a minimum distance of 330 feet from perennial ryegrass.  
(5) Seed standards for tall fescue seed are as follows:  
Classes of Seed  
Factor  
Foundation  
98.0%  
0.1%  
2.0%  
0.3%  
Certified  
98.0%  
0.5%  
2.0%  
0.3%  
Pure seed (minimum)  
Other crops (maximum)  
Inert matter (maximum)  
Weed seed (maximum)  
Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none  
Restricted noxious weeds and St.  
Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,  
none  
bedstraw (maximum)  
Germination (minimum)  
27 per pound  
45 per pound  
90.0%  
History: 1994 AACS.  
PART 4. SOD QUALITY SEED STANDARDS  
R 285.623.401 Labeling of sod quality for varieties of turfgrass seed.  
Rule 401. In addition to the labeling requirements of Act No. 329 of the Public Acts of  
1965, as amended, being S286.701 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws and Act No.  
221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, being S286.71 et seq. of the Michigan  
Compiled Laws, and the rules promulgated thereunder, if seed is found to meet the sod  
quality standards established in R 285.623.404, the seed kinds or kinds and varieties may  
be labeled with the words "Michigan sod quality seed" by permanently attaching a  
tag to the container, as prescribed in R 285.623.402.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.402 Description and use of tags for sod quality seed.  
Rule 402. (1) The official Michigan sod quality seed tag that is referred to in R  
285.623.401 shall be prepared and issued by the director, be numerically identified, and  
Page 25  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
set forth the kind and variety, lot number, test date, and date of issuance. Duplicate sod  
quality tags shall be attached to each container of the lot of seed that qualifies as  
sod quality. A person shall not attach a sod quality seed tag to any container or lot of seed  
that is not qualified as set forth on the tag and shall not remove a sod quality seed tag  
before delivery of the seed to the ultimate purchaser.  
(2) An official tag shall be of a size, color, and format as determined by the director of  
the department of agriculture.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.403 Application, fees, and procedure for sod quality qualifications.  
Rule 403. A person who desires to have his or her seed qualify as Michigan sod  
quality seed shall request, in writing, that the official seed-certifying agency obtain  
seed samples for this purpose. If the sampling and analysis is apart from, and in  
addition to, the sampling and analysis that is performed by the official seed-certifying  
agency in its other certification activities, the person who requests the sampling and  
analysis shall pay, to the certifying agency, any fees as authorized by section 3 of Act  
No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, being S286.71 et seq. of the  
Michigan Compiled Laws. The analysis of seed samples shall be performed by  
authorized personnel of the official seed-certifying agency in accordance with the  
standards prescribed in R 285.623.404. If the sample that is subject to analysis for  
Michigan sod quality seed qualification is from a regularly certified seed lot, only  
part of which is to be qualified as Michigan sod quality seed, then a separate sample  
shall be required from that part of the lot to be so qualified.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
R 285.623.404 Standards for sod quality certification.  
Rule 404. (1) The seed lots that are submitted for sod quality certification shall be  
in compliance with all of the standards established by these rules and with standards that  
are established in cooperation with the seed-certifying agency.  
(2) Noxious weed and crop and weed analyses shall be based on a 25-gram sample for  
bluegrass, except that a 10-gram sample is required for a Poa annua search, a 30-gram  
sample for fine fescue, and a 50-gram sample for ryegrass and tall fescue. Testing shall  
be discontinued when results of the tests exceed the maximum limits set forth in  
subrule (3) of this rule.  
(3) Seed standards for Michigan sod quality seed for Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue,  
chewings fescue, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue are as follows:  
Minimum  
Kind  
Minimum  
Maximum1  
Maximum4  
Purity  
Germination  
Other crop  
Weed  
Perennial ryegrass  
.02%  
98%  
90%  
0.1%2  
Page 26  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
Merion Kentucky  
.02%  
bluegrass  
Other varieties of  
.02%  
Kentucky bluegrass  
Red fescue  
.02%  
95%  
80%  
80%  
90%  
90%  
0.1%3  
0.1%3  
0.1%  
97%  
98%  
Chewings fescue 98%  
Tall fescue  
.02%  
90%  
0.1%  
.02%  
98.5%  
0.1%  
1 Shall be free of ryegrass, orchardgrass, timothy, bentgrass, big bluegrass, poa  
trivialis, smooth bromegrass, reed canary grass, tall fescue, and clover. When the base  
sample is one of these kinds, the species will not be considered a contaminant; for  
example, ryegrass in ryegrass.  
2 Certification fluorescence levels and appropriate calculations will be applied when  
determining levels of other crops.  
3 The maximum other varieties of Kentucky bluegrass allowed is 2.0%; The maximum  
allowed Canada bluegrass is .02%.  
4 Shall be free of all of the following:  
(a) Dock, Rumex spp.  
(b) Chickweed, Cerastium spp. and Stellaria media.  
(c) Crabgrass, Digitaria spp.  
(d) Plantain, Plantago spp.  
(e) Black medic, Medicago lupulina.  
(f) Annual bluegrass, Poa annua.  
(g) Velvetgrass, Holcus spp.  
(h) Prohibited noxious weed seeds.  
History: 1994 AACS.  
Page 27  
Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules  
;