Retaining Seed fact sheet

Saving weather damaged grain for seed

Grain retained for seed that is harvested following wet conditions requires attentive management if a healthy crop is to be established next season. Seed management starts at harvest and continues through storage, handling and seeding.

Key points

• Ideally retain seed from grain harvested before rain.
• Weather damaged grain is more susceptible to poor germination, low vigour and degradation during storage and handling, so extra care is needed.
• Harvest at low moisture and cool temperatures. Storage temperature and moisture must be monitored and controlled.
• Germination percentage should be checked at harvest, during storage and before seeding. Low germination seed should not be used. n Do not retain seed from hybrid canola.
• Correct seeding depth, conditions and agronomy are essential when sowing weather damaged seed