BREAKING DORMANCY - Seed Analysts · CSAAC Breaking Dormancy May 2015 Page 1 of 15 May 2015 In...

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy May 2015 of 15

May 2015

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Seed of the Month will be concentrating the next few months on Invasive Species of Canada.

May Seed of the Month

April Seed of the Month Senecio madagascariensis Poir Madagascar Ragwort Asteraceae

mailto:[email protected]


Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Madagascar Ragwort) Asteraceae

& Senecio inaequidens DC. (South African Ragwort) Asteraceae Madagascar and South African ragworts are so similar they are treated the same way as invasive plants that

reduce biodiversity. If ingested, they can cause liver damage to people and livestock. They can out-compete

native vegetation such as grasses and other low-growing plants. South African ragwort can invade open natural

areas such as sand dunes. Both have not been found in Canada.

They are native to southern Africa. Madagascar ragwort has been introduced into Argentina, Australia, Columbia,

Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Réunion, and the state of Hawaii in the United States. South African ragwort has been

found in many European countries and in Taiwan.

Both are herbaceous, short-lived perennial plants. The plants are 60-100 cm tall and produce up to 200 small,

daisy-like, golden yellow flowers. The leaves are long and narrow. The long hairs of the plants allow their

achene seeds to stick to birds and animals. The seeds are primarily spread by wind, but they can also spread

through soil, road and rail vehicles, building materials, hay, grain, ornamental plants, livestock, and wool.

South African ragwort plants Pieter Pelser Madagascar ragwort plant Forest and Kim Starr

Seed Size is about 2.0 – 2.5 mm in length and 0.2-0.5 mm in width. Their shape in outline is long and

rectangular (straight sides and flat ends) and in cross-section: rounded, with several ribs. Surface texture is

roughened, appears sparkling under lights. Colour is usually dark brown (may be light brown or green in

immature specimens). Other structures of note are long, worm-like white hairs cover the surface and may have a

long, white, sparse pappus 2 to 3 times the length of the seed (easily removed). Madagascar Ragwort is very

similar in appearance but its’ pappus is up to 1.0 mm shorter than narrow-leaved ragwort.

Narrow-leaved ragwort (Senecio inaequidens) Madagascar ragwort/Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis)

Similar species - Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) found across Canada is similar in size, shape though tends to be

sharply narrowed at both ends, and the presence of worm-like hairs on surface are short and sparse.


Employment Opportunity as a

Full Time, ACCREDITED SEED ANALYST

Accu-Test Seed Lab is a well-established seed testing facility that is a part of Redsper Enterprises, a

progressive seed cleaning plant and seed retail business. We are currently accepting applications for a

full time position in Rivers, MB.

Responsibilities:

Must be well organized and experienced to perform required tasks with minimal supervision,

while handling seasonal sample volume requirements

Prioritization of testing schedules and tasks

Perform regular analysis and maintain high standards for lab accreditation

Ensure continuing education requirements are achieved

Qualifications:

Fully accredited by CFIA in Purity and Germination – will consider partial accreditation

CFIA/CSI Grader and/or Operator accreditation is an asset

Must be willing to be a member of CSAAC

Knowledge of industry regulations and testing procedures

Experience with non-accredited testing methods (i.e. Vigour, Vomitoxin, Thousand Kernel

Weight)

Experience with quality control and assurance

Ability to work independently or as part of a team

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Have a strong knowledge of office skills and understanding of computer applications such as

Microsoft Word, Excel and Access and QuickBooks

Accu-Test Seed Lab/Redsper Enterprises offers a competitive salary and benefits plan.

Submit your resume and cover letter by April 17th, 2015 to:

Redfern Farm Services Brandon

HR Manager

922 Douglas Street

Brandon, Manitoba

R7A 7B2

FAX: (204)725-8592 Email: [email protected]


Did You Know?

The CSAAC’s “Did you know?” column is an opportunity for CSAAC Members to share interest and timely

information with other CSAAC members. Each contribution will earn you one (1) Association Participation

point towards your continuing education requirements. Anything that you find of interest will be of interest to

other analysts. Send something in at any time.

NOMOPHOBIA

Just the look and sound of the name is scary to think of.

It means the fear of being without your mobile phone.

Aside from sleep and sex, the urge to log into social networking sites is stronger than any

other, including drugs and alcohol. The study found that while a compulsion for logging

onto Facebook appears to be less physically harmful than, say cigarettes or alcohol, it

still becomes an addiction that “steals” many people’s time.

Let’s be honest. Most of us are fixated and emotionally connected to our phones. To be

honest myself, I am constantly struggling the urge to check my phone—to fight the

addiction to be constantly connected. Our phones have become extensions of ourselves;

they are often the first things we reach for when we wake up, and many are putting more

time and attention into their phones than they invest in face-to-face relationships.

The average cellphone user checks their phone 150 times a day. On the lower side, some

check it only 35 times a day. Always waiting to hear that ding that there is a text

message or an e-mail message for you. Constantly checking them because it may be

very important though 95% of the time they are not.


This is a scary look at where and when we check our cellphones:

Does the thought of being without your phone send you into a state of complete panic?

Many people also experience what is called PPVD, which is short for Phantom Phone

Vibration Disorder. A man stated that he went to work without his cellphone and all

that day he would reach for his phone believing it was vibrating, only to find that there

was no phone there! It is apparent we all need to practice some digital wellness and detox

from our digital gadgets from time to time.


Practicing digital wellness is about redeeming our real life and relationships. We all must

continue to work hard to put our technology in its place.

We have to ask ourselves do we really want to live in a world where we all stare at

screens all day long. In a world where we are always accessible with no off time.

Seven Challenges to Break Our Smartphone Dependence

1. Use an alarm and keep your phone out of your bedroom.

2. Get eight hours sleep a night.

3. Read a paper book.

4. Remind yourself the email, text, or post is not urgent.

5. Stop multitasking.

6. Get out in nature.

7. Put your phone away at dinner, movies and when out with friends.

For thousands of years, we have functioned by having intimate conversations with each

other where we laughed, told stories, and connected face to face.

Let’s take back our real life and relationships and practice some good old fashioned, non-

tech face time. Are you up to the challenge?

Have some play time without the cellphone time. Leave the work for work time don’t let

it infringe on your life and family time just because your job can reach you doesn’t mean

you have to answer.

Adapted from an article from Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd.


SPRING IS HERE!

Let spring jumpstart your success!

Spring isn’t just a season, it’s a state of mind you can choose to be in anytime.

So leave that “wintry mix” of doubts and disappointments behind. It’s time to

plant a new dream, water it with hope and watch your happiness grow!

BOARD MEETING - MONDAY June 22nd, 2015

Our next CSAAC board meeting is coming up on Monday, June 22nd, 2015 at the annual

convention in Saskatoon. If you have any issues or concerns, you wish to be brought up

at the meeting please advise.

The CSAAC board wants your feedback to ensure we keep CSAAC on the right track.

Please feel free to contact at any time your local CSAAC branch director or contact

directly our President Christine DeRooy at [email protected] or at any time the

CSAAC office at [email protected].

TRAINING CSAAC SURVEY

If you haven’t done the survey monkey on training, please do as there is 1 Participation

(P) point available for the ones who do. Deadline is May 8th.

A report on the findings will be made at the CSAAC meeting in Saskatoon. Big Thank

You for all who have already done the survey it is really promising to see so many of you

give your valuable opinion.


ANNUAL MEETING AND OPEN FORUM

BRAINSTORMING DISCUSSIONS

On the Tuesday morning, Roundtable Discussions will be held on the Grade

Tables and what analysts would like to see as changes, stay the same, what

works, what doesn’t. These discussions are an informational gathering time.

There will be 6 groupings of the Grade Tables following similar lines as the

groupings for writing the seed analyst examination plus one group on

untabled crops.

We will start with a general brainstorming to collect as many ideas as possible

then get into our group discussions. Once the first discussion is finished, the

groups will report what they have discovered. Then each group will pick

another crop grouping to discuss.

Grade Tables and Seed Regulations will be available.

So get ready for some brainstorming at the convention in Saskatoon!

WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

STILL THREE SPOTS AVAILABLE. STILL TIME TO SIGN UP.

For those attending the workshop, please bring to the workshop your tweezers

and spike. Paperwork and other items will be provided in English and

French. It is an important workshop on new noxious weeds plus other topics.


CSAAC Annual $500 Post-Secondary Student Grant

Applications deadline is May 15th for the following fall term.

Application and further instructions along with French translations may be

found on the CSAAC website at www.seedanalysts.com.

Update – 3 applications have been received to date.

M&P PROPOSALS FOR 2016

The M&P proposals for 2016 will be voted on during the annual meeting on

June 23rd in Saskatoon. The M&P proposals will be posted on the CSAAC

website along with the voting sheet by May 12th. Both of these will be

copied and in your convention package when you register. All information

will be available in English and French.

You may want to review the proposals ahead of time to determine how you

may vote. Each of the proposals passes with a majority vote of the voting

members present (seniors and associates members) at the annual meeting.

In the morning, there will be a report of the changes for the M&P in 2015.

Along with a presentation on the proposal for “Kinds Not Required to be

Separated.”

If you need further information on any proposal, please feel free to contact

SSTS directly or to contact the CSAAC office.

http://www.seedanalysts.com/


FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

CSAAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CALL FOR NOMINATION FOR JUNE 2015 IS FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD

All nominations with the appropriate information needs to be forwarded to the Past President Dianne

Gilhuly [email protected] or the CSAAC Office at [email protected]. A listing of

candidates up for voting will be posted 4 weeks prior to the annual meeting for consideration of all

eligible members to vote.

Close of Nominations will by the end of the day of: Tuesday May 19th, 2015

Candidates listing will be posted by: Tuesday May 26th, 2015

Election Date, if required, at the CSAAC Business Annual Meeting: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REPORTS

I have received all of your activities for points (keep them coming). I will enter the

points and provide you with a CEP update report as soon as possible. It is quite hectic in

the office now so it may not be until after the convention so I can add points for the

annual meeting and workshop at the same time.

VIGOUR REFEREE SAMPLES

TEST RESULTS ARE DUE BY MAY 15TH, 2015

PLEASE SEND YOUR RESULTS TO THE ATTENTION OF CRYSTAL DENTMAN AT

[email protected] AS SOON AS AVAILABLE SO WE CAN DO UP A

REPORT FOR THE CSAAC ANNUAL MEETING IN SASKATOON.

THE MORE DATA WE CAN COLLECT THE MORE USEFUL WILL BE THE REPORT

OF VIGOUR TESTING IN CANADA.




AUCTION TIME AGAIN!

A great reference book is now up for auction.

HANDBOOK NO. 219 –

IDENTIFICATION OF CROP AND WEEDS

USDA 1963

THIS GEM OF A BOOK IS HIGHLY SOUGHT

FOR A SEED REFERENCE MATERIAL

FOR ANY SEED ANALYST AND ANY LABORATORY.

It is hard to obtain and CSAAC is lucky to have received this donation from CPS

Nipawin Seed Plant Seed Lab for a CSAAC auction.

Bids will be accepted until Friday May 15th, 2015 at 4:00 PM Central Time

Bidding is now at $30.

Well Good Luck to you all! The Auction is ON!


CSAAC OFFICE

Planning for the Convention which includes Open Forum, Annual Meeting, Pizza Party

at Solar Gardens and Workshop are well underway.

Please make sure to book your hotel if you haven’t done so. Space is

becoming limited. The deadline for pricing is May 15th then all bets are off.

Make sure to let me know if you require the bus for the workshop or the trip to Solar

Gardens so we don’t leave without you.

For the Morning Session of June 23rd, Grade tables and Seed Regulations will be

available for reference for all groups. Due to number of people we will have 6 groupings

of the grade table crops and one group of untabled varieties. It will certainly be a very

interesting discussion time.

Please contact me at any time at [email protected] or Phone # (204)

763-4610.

Thanks,

Betty

CSAAC Executive Director

SASKATOON

Another Seed Swap will occur in Saskatoon with all attendees receiving a

seed swap collection. This will be the third seed swap and the program has

been a great success. It will certainly continue for many years to come.

Seed Analysts assisting other Seed Analysts “Back to the Basics” of CSAAC.



PROFICIENCY (PT) SAMPLES FOR ACCREDITATED LABS Please be advised that the crop kind for PT15-02 will now be leek. (Allium porrum)

*********************

Dear Lab Mangers,

This notice is to advise you that CFIA will send out two panels of PT samples in March and

September of each calendar year. Accredited seed labs must participate in all PT panels that are

under the lab's scope of accreditation. All accredited labs are also eligible to apply for voluntary

participation in all PT panels with the intention of expanding lab's accreditation scopes, receiving

technical training and enhancing technical capacity for quality tests. Crops in the Grade Tables of

Schedule I, Seed Regulation are grouped into 6 crop groups and the PT sample program will cover

all crop groups that represent those Grade Tables within a 3-year-cycle. At the beginning of each

cycle the accredited seed labs will be informed of the three year PT sample plan. The crop kinds

within the three year plan could be adjusted within a crop group if the samples are not available.

Three-Year Plan, 2015-2017, for CFIA Proficiency Test Sample Program

Test Scientific name

Crop

Round Crop Kind Grade Table Group

PT15-01 White clover Trifolium repens IX 1

PT15-02 Leek Allium porrum XX 2

PT16-01 Mustard Sinapis alba or Brassica juncea VII 4

PT16-02 Lentil Lens culinaris II 3

PT17-01 Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea XI 6

PT17-02 Corn Zea mays V 5

Group 1: Grade Table: VIII-X, Forage legumes and timothy

Group 2: Grade Table XVI-XX, Vegetables

Group 3: Grade Table I-IV, Cereals;

Group 4: Grade Table VII, Canola/rapeseeds and mustard

Group 5: Grade Table V-VI, Pulses, corn and sunflower

Group 6: Grade Table XI-XV, Grasses

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Seed Science and Technology Section (SSTS) Saskatoon Laboratory Canadian Food Inspection Agency / Government of Canada [email protected] / Tel:306-385-7824

PT CONCERNS – FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE SSTS DIRECTLY

OR TO SEED ANALYSTS MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE –

MORGAN WEBB (WEST REP.) AT [email protected],

MARY ELLEN VAN WELST (EAST REP.) AT

[email protected] AND BETTY GIRARD (CSAAC)

AT [email protected].

Remember if you don’t speak up, nothing can be changed.


tel:306-385-7824


7 DAYS OF INSPIRATION

Day 1 – Smile at this day, and it will smile back!

Day 2 – Life is amazing. You’re one reason why.

Day 3 – You have the power to do incredible things.

Day 4 – Why waste energy worrying when you could spend it dreaming.

Day 5 – Be yourself. There is no one better.

Day 6 – Every day, in so many ways, you make a difference.

Day 7 – You’re better than okay just the way you are!


Welcome to my life!

Calendar: 2015-16

SCST/AOSA Annual Meeting Tampa, Florida, USA May 30th to June 5th, 2015

AOSCA Annual Meeting Vancouver, British Columbia June 21st to 24th, 2015

CSAAC Annual Meeting Saskatoon, Saskatchewan June 22nd to 24th, 2015

CSAAC Annual Meeting Quebec City, Quebec May 30th to June 1st, 2016

Breaking Dormancy is distributed to CSAAC Members. Please note the opinions expressed are those of

the contributors and are subject to change. Comments do not necessarily reflect the policies of the CSAAC

Board of Directors. Feedback and/or comments from members are invited.

Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada Inc., Box 208, 301 Rothesay Street, Douglas, MB.

R0K 0R0, Office Phone: 204-763-4610, Email: [email protected] Website:

www.seedanalysts.ca


http://www.seedanalysts.c/

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