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WC IA | I'm no longer a seed guy, but I was. When I ran one, I reviewed every lot personally before it was released for shipment. Life is too short to take the calls from upset customers for shipping them crap seed.
There is no requirement for COLD tests on seed germ and many companies don't do it. In most years, that's not a big issue...until it is.
In most cases, warm germ above 93% will be stamped 93% on the tag - even if it's 98%. If it's below 93%, the tag generally states the tested germ.
In Minnesota, state inspectors occasionally show up at a seed dealer and randomly sample seed. If a lot isn't what the tag says it is, they "stop sale" on it. It would be rare for that to happen in Iowa or most other states.
There is variability in testing and testing labs. I forget the formula but essentially, a lot can be off as much as 7% (tagged 93%, tested 86%) and still pass.
I always suggest to growers to take a sample of each lot, label and hang onto it. If something doesn't look right in the field, send it to a lab and have it tested. You should also request the lab tests from lots that were shipped to you. If you don't have the tags from your shipments, it might be on your shipper/invoice copy. In most cases, the seed brand knows exactly what lot was shipped to you (exception if they shipped multiple lots to your dealer and your dealer didn't tell them which lot you received).
The seed size is a totally separate issue. I'm not sure if you mean the size variability in the bag was too much or if you were always getting large rounds when you ordered small flats?
In the US, corn seed is sized in 64ths of an inch. 25/20 is a seed that falls through a 25/64 inch screen but not through a 20/64” screen. A 20/16 is a seed that falls through a 20/64” screen but not through a 16/64” screen. If too much seed is falling through on the small end, a seed company might adjust to a 24/19 and 19/15 standard. Many companies have standardized on 2 flats and 2 rounds, but it is not an industry or legal obligation.
Unfortunately, not all seed brands take the same care in quality and germ standards.
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Seed Corn Quality
