Front Range Seed Analysts
1994 Seed Forum Volume 8 Number 1
AN EDITORIAL FROM THE PRESIDENT
by Jim Bruce
Recently, discussion among area Seedsmen, Colorado State University professors, and USDA Scientists has concerned the need for seed analyst training and the formation of a new seed analyst training program. Many in the seed industry are concerned about high rates of analysts who have failed the RST exam in the past few years, and the fact that we have about reached an era when a number of qualified seed analysts will retire, leaving a gap in the seed testing field. The need for new seed analysts has also been reflected upon by Ellen Chirco, director, New York State Seed Testing Laboratory in her address to the Atlantic Seedsmen's Association last year. According to Seed & Crops Industry Magazine, this need will be critical in the years to come.
The FRSA has a vested interest in this discussion. Not only did this organization base some of its formation as an offshoot of the former Front Range Community College/Voctech Seed Analyst Training Program, but if Colorado State University and the USDA do combine their efforts and offer a new Seed Program many of our FRSA members will be called upon to assist in the practical training of these future analysts. We feel that, as with the selection of Ft. Collins for the former Seed Program, this area still offers the "best of all worlds" for the training of seed analysts. The diversity of seed tested in this locale assures that analysts gain exposure to any and all situations which they may meet on the job. This area has much to offer the trainee with exposure to company labs, state labs, and the Federal Seed Lab.
Of all people, I know the value of good training. I thank my lucky stars for the training I received at the Iowa State University Seed Laboratory and people like Dr. Leroy Everson and Dr. Duane Isley for their overall emphasis on seed technology and analysis; Bill Hunt for the practical work in germination and Dr. Joe Burris for the physiological insights into the germination process; Dr. Dennis McGee and Dr. Manjit Misra for relating the effects of pathogens and the conditioning process to the germination test and the abnormals we see in performing it. On the purity analysis side, I must thank Myrta Wysong and Sandy Hegna for their rigorous effort in showing me differences in similar seeds which I would never have noticed on my own,and for challenging me with the beauty of seeds until the "seed bug" bit me and I was forever caught in the seed testing web. I was lucky because Iowa State University Seed Lab had a diversity of good instructors as well as a diversity of seed species which they tested, (At least at that time).
Training of seed analysts takes a group effort. The Front Range has this group. Without people like Dr. Arnold Larsen, Dr. Louis Bass, and Barbara Atkins to aid in the practical interning of analysts, even the former Seed Analysts Training Program would have failed.
One of the reasons I consented to teach the former seed program is that, in my own training, I recieved a well rounded backround to the seed industry, as well as a practical approach to seed analysis. Through the ISU Seed Lab, I was introduced to the different growth habits on various germination media, (sand vs. towels vs. blotters) and how they equated to field emergence under varying conditions. This experience led to a deeper understanding of seedling growth as well as greater appreciation of seed analysts' role.
Analysts at the ISU Seed Lab gainedmuch when the lab moved
to its present location in the Seed Science Center. This facility
housed the testing lab, a seed
conditioning tower, Iowa Crop Improvement, and seed pathology and physiology
labs. Analysts working with the other components of the Seed Science Center
and aiding the research and discussions of seedling growth and disease,
helped analysts improve their understanding of seed technology, and
allowed scientists to receive the daily practical observations of the germination
analysts. Iowa State Seed Lab gave me my earliest impressions of the seed
testing industry. Those impressions and collaborative experiences
were quite favorable, and as I look back today, seem quite the exception
to experiences in seed labs I have visited and worked in since.
In training seed analysts at Front Range Community College/Voc Tech, it has been often said that I gave a somewhat unrealistic picture of seed testing and the seed industry to students. Looking back, this is most likely true, but based on an exceptional view of professionalism and cooperation which was presented to me in Iowa. But, I would hope that any future training of analysts would provide the balanced training which I was provided so that analysts can understand their roles in the seed industry. One needs to know how the conditions of the growing season influence the production of the seedlots one deals with. Analysts Must learn how the conditioning of, the seed influences the quality of the seed lot and thus the germination test. Familiarity with the role Of seed dormancy and the environmental controls of germination is also important. And, analysts should know their role in seed legislation and marketing.
On the other hand, analysts should be well aquainted with all botanical aspects of the plant and the seed unit. They should understand how seed shape is influenced by seed formation, carpel type, placentation, and embryo placement pattern within the seed. Other aspects include how fruit type, maturation, and dispersal affect texture and appearance. Analysts must become familiar with seed identification characteristics and the relationship to purity analysis examination and varietal purity. Use of the new Handbook 125 will make seed identification skills even more critical than they are today. I see this book profoundly affecting seed testing and seed regulations in the future.
The list of what the analyst should know continues. But when thinking
of this training, I have my doubts also. Where will the funding come from?
My experience with the educational system is that it will be difficult
to obtain the dollars needed for such programs. These funding problems
leave the seed industry footing most of the bill for analyst training.
The FRSA's informal discussions with various sectors of the seed industry
show us that those companies most willing to think about funding for a
program deal mainly with grass seed and the rangegrasses; that portion
of the industry which most appreciates the expertise of well
trained purity analysts. Before we begin any training, we need to educate
the rest of the seed industry to the role of a seed analyst along with
the benefits and effects to their companies of employing trained analysts.
Another doubt is employment opportunities. Just where are these jobs?
Seed Laboratories have recently been dwindling in number, especially AOSA
labs,
and it was Front Range Community College's experience that AOSA
labs are the least likely to employ trained analysts. AOSA labs prefer
to train their own analysts.
The FRSA has taken the initiative to determine the future employment statistics, but again, we need to educate the industry to the need of trained analysts. We also need to educate the state legiBlatureB on the need Of seed regulatory and service testing, and the role of trained analysts in serving the agricultural community. Education should emphasize the seed testing "career" instead of the seed testing "job". Even with an optimistic future for the employment of seed analysts, most of these postitions will be entry level. Are those positions going to allow the "trained analyst" who has spent time and money to learn the science and art of seed testing a chance to survive on the pay scale most laboratories offer entry level analysts? I know my training and the length of time it has taken to become proficient. I know of no college course or degree that can prepare one for this occupation. It's an art requiring intuition and experience as well as knowledge of the subject. College never fully gave me that. Seed analysts face a tough situation when convincing laboratories and company managers to awaken to the need for experience and a "specialized" education which demands good pay for the analyst's knowledge. Sales and stop sales depend upon the analyst, both those working for the seed companies and those on the regulatory side. The seed label is a double sided sword. If we are entrusted with this responsibility, we need the educated, trained analyst to make the proper decisions demanded by the regulations and seed tests. Seed analysis is a specialization of the seed technology field. Analysts need to know they're appreciated for their role in the quality evaluation of seed. They need to know it has been worth their time and effort to gain the knowledge and experience. For it does take this to perform their duties effortlessly and efficiently.
The FRSA has also discussed sending a wage survey along with the previously mentioned job survey. We need your honest answers.. We need to determine realistic expectations for future analysts so they may discern whether they have made the correct choice of occupations. And, this too will help us make the decisions on whether seed analyst training is needed and worth exploring.