Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division
Administrative Rules for Regulation No. 623 Field Seed Certification
Rule Set 2022-10 AC
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, August 18, 2022
09:00 AM
Room: Constitution Hall, 525 W Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933, Room: CH-ATN-THEODORE-
BROWN
Virtual: +1 248-509-0316,,328093246# United States, Pontiac Phone Conference ID: 328 093 246#
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will hold a public hearing to receive public
comments on proposed changes to the Regulation No. 623 Field Seed Certification rule set.
Rule 205 sets field and seed standards for small grains and buckwheat. Rule 214 provides details on the
certification of inbred lines of foundation corn. The rule includes a provision that sets the minimum
distance that an inbred increase field shall be isolated from other corn. Rule 215 provides details on the
certification of single cross hybrids of foundation corn. The rule includes a provision that sets the
minimum distance than a single cross crossing field shall be isolated from other corn. Proposed updates:
Rule 205(3) Add a seed standard for winter crops in spring crops and spring crops in winter crops.
•As currently written, the standard set forth in Rule 205 is too strict. There is ample evidence to support
the belief that wheat seed is not a meaningful contaminant of oat seed because one is grown in winter
and the other in summer. The weather effectively culls the unwanted seed once it is planted.
•Set the seed standard at 5 per 2 pounds for the foundation and 10 per pound for the classes of seed
certified.
•Add a provision stating that this standard does not apply in such cases where climatic conditions do not
effectively cull the unwanted seed once it is planted. Rule 214(2) Decrease the minimum distance that an
inbred increase field shall be isolated from other corn of like color or texture from 825 feet to 660 feet.
•Align the minimum distance with the international standard established by the Association of Official
Seed Certification Agencies. Rule 215(2) Decrease the minimum distance that a single cross crossing
field shall be isolated from other corn of like color or texture from 825 feet to 660 feet.
•Align the minimum distance with the international standard established by the Association of Official
Seed Certification Agencies.
By the authority conferred on the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The
director of the department of agriculture is the legal seed certifying officer of this state and may
promulgate rules governing the certification of seed as to variety, type, strain, or other genetic character
and the labeling of certified seed, and may adopt general seed certification standards in cooperation with
certifying agencies.” MCL 286.72(1).
The proposed rules will take effect 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State. The proposed rules are
Michigan Register. Copies of these proposed rules may also be obtained by mail or electronic mail at the
following email address: Guardiolaj1@michigan.gov.
Comments on these proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by electronic mail at the
following addresses until 8/19/2022 at 05:00PM.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Office of Legal Affairs and Emergency Management PO Box 30017 Lansing, Michigan 48909