Canadian Forage Seed Project
Background
The Canadian Forage Seed Project (CFSP) was started in 1950 by the Seed Division of Agriculture Canada. The CFSP’s role was to arrange for the contract production, conditioning, warehousing and sale of Foundation Seed of up to 45 varieties that had been bred by the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada.
A Seed Program Review conducted in 1984 concluded that the varieties in the CFSP would be offered to SeCan and the project would be phased out over 5 years. SeCan picked up 5 of the 20 CFSP varieties.
In 1988, the Agriculture Canada Seed Division and the Research Branch accepted a proposal from the CSTA to tender the production and management of the Foundation Seed of the remaining varieties to private companies (Managing Companies). Managing Companies became the exclusive suppliers of Foundation Seed, assuming the responsibilities to manage the variety, including negotiating with the Research Branch for Breeder Seed requirements.
There are three varieties that are “UK listed” allowing sales of Certified Seed of those varieties in the EU. The managing companies for those varieties are responsible for maintaining the listing by paying a renewal fee every five years.
At that time, CSTA retained a small role as the allocator of Foundation seed when varieties were in short supply, and a Project Coordinating Committee was named to oversee the transition and the operation of the CFSP. The committee oversaw the transfer of two contracts to new owners, and approved the discontinuation of three others on joint agreement with the Managing Companies. The Committee was made up of representatives of CSTA, the Canadian Seed Growers Association and Agriculture Canada.
On decision by CSTA leadership earlier this decade, the CSTA’s role was once again re-defined. CSTA’s responsibility is to survey the trade and growers (through CSGA) to determine needs for Foundation seed of CFSP varieties and provide that information to the Managing Companies. CSTA also surveys Managing Companies to determine the supplies, production plans and prices Foundation Seed of CFSP varieties. These surveys are conducted two to three times each year and the results are provided to the trade, and posted on CSTA’s website.
The former Project Coordinating Committee has become an Advisory Committee to the Canadian Forage Seed Project. Still made up of a representative of CSTA, CSGA and the Research Branch at AAFC, the committee exists to review the project and to receive and advise on any concerns with the operation of the project.
Today, 11 varieties remain part of the Canadian Forage Seed Project. If you click on the variety name, you will find a historical report of supply, price and production of the variety.
| Alfalfa | Alsike Clover
|
| Altai Wildrye | Birdsfoot Trefoil |
| Brome | Creeping Red Fescue |
| Sweet Clover | Timothy |
The CFSP Now
Managing Companies are required to report to the CSTA on a regular basis, and CSTA makes the reports available to the trade through the CSTA Forage and Turf Committee; and publicly through this website. The reports can be found by following the links.