We license seed labelers, a person whose name and address are printed on the label or is a person who opens bags or containers of agricultural, lawn or vegetable seed with the intention of sale.

Regulations

There are two regulations that govern seed. The Wisconsin Seed Law and the Wisconsin Seed Rule.

Wisconsin Seed Law - 32 page PDF

The Seed Law is contained within Wisconsin State Statute, specifically ss. 94.38 to 94.46, WI Stats. The seed law regulates the labeling and sale of agricultural seed.

Wisconsin Seed Rule - 12 page PDF

The Seed Rule is the Wisconsin state rule or administrative code to support the Seed Law. The rule is ATCP 20 - Seed Labeling and Sale. 

You will need a PDF reader to view the application form, which you can print and mail to us with your payment.

Seed Labeler License Application - 1 page PDF

You do not need a seed labeler's license if you sell seed that you have grown on your farm and the sale takes place on your farm; or if you sell seed in unopened bags or containers that have been labeled by a person holding a valid seed labeler's license.

The seed license is an annual license, effective January 1 through December 31. The cost of the license is based on gross annual sales. The license fees and gross sales categories changed in 2009. The categories of gross annual seed sales expanded along with the license fees charged per category.

Seed Export and Seed Field Inspections

We inspect fields from which seed will be harvested and exported out of the country. Oftentimes, foreign countries will require an official growing season inspection before they will allow the import of seed. If you are planning on exporting seed and would like to participate in our seed field inspection program, please complete the top of the inspection request form below. Submit completed seed field inspection request forms by June 15. Inspection requests received after June 15 will be conducted if possible. Email the completed form to our staff at Ellen.hermanson@wisconsin.gov or print the completed form and mail it to the following address:

WDATCP- Seed Field Inspection Program
Ellen Hermanson
PO BOX 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

Seed Inspection Form - 1 page Word document

At times, seed shipped to another country or state may also require a phytosanitary certificate. These are issued by DATCP or the USDA.  Please check our website for further information. If you have questions or concerns call us at 608-224-4576.

Treated Seed - Handle with Care

Seed treated with a pesticide protects growing plants, but if it is mishandled, that same seed can be harmful to animals or a farmer's bank account.

Seeds protected with an insecticide or fungicide treatment need to be handled carefully to prevent contamination of animal feed or grain.

After you haul treated seed, your clean up efforts can prevent contamination at harvest.

Even one pesticide treated seed can be enough to contaminate an entire truck load or storage bin and cause the load to be rejected.

Check gravity boxes, truck beds, wagons and all equipment that handled treated seed particularly if that piece of equipment will be used to haul harvested grain, animal feed or forage. You must ensure that any of your wagons or other equipment that has been used to handle or haul treated seed is thoroughly cleaned and inspected in order to remove all treated seed.

Visual inspection isn't enough when dealing with farm equipment and treated seed, if equipment handles treated seed, the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned by pressure washing and then thoroughly inspected. If you can't do that, then don't use that equipment to handle untreated seed or grain.

If you intend to plant treated seed, keep pesticide treated seed separate from other untreated seed and grain.

Keep treated seed and separate from animal feed to prevent animals from sickness or death.

Be sure that treated seed is not left in the open where birds or other animals can eat it.

Any unused treated seed should be stored securely and separately away from grain storage areas so that none of it gets into your grain inventory during harvest. Other options are to return it to your seed supplier or take the treated seed to a sanitary landfill.

Print and post this placard as a reminder to handle treated seed with great care and caution. If you cannot open the file or it is too large to download, contact Greg Helmbrecht, seed specialist, 608-224-4596 to receive a copy of the placard.

Treated Seed Placard - 1 page PDF (2 MB)

Seed Retailers - How to Handle and Store Seed

The American Seed Trade Association has prepared a guide for seed retailers on the proper handling and storage of lawn seed products. The document is an 18 page PDF. Although this title of the guide indicates "lawn seed products," most of the information can be applied to all seed products. 

State and Federal Noxious Weeds 

Federal Noxious Weeds List
Administered by USDA 

State Noxious Weed List 
State noxious weed seed requirements recognized in the administration of the Federal Seed Act. Administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

Plant Variety Protection Act 

Plant Variety Protection Office seed information 
Searchable bu Plant Variety Number, Applicant or Owner or by crop. Provided by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

Plant Variety Protection Act and "Brown Bag" Seed brochure - 2 page PDF
Information on the PVPA, using protected varieties and saving seed for your use on your farm.

Varieties and Brands

What's in a Name? Understanding the Seed Label - 2 page PDF
Adapted from the Southern Seed Control Officials

For more information on Wisconsin's seed program, call 608-224-4596 or email.