The Pacific Northwest is well-known as a source of a range of seeds for diverse crops. Protecting that seed industry is an important business, and in Washington it’s key. The Washington State Department of Agriculture recently issued a statement noting that it is prepared to “pursue legal action against brassica seed growers who do not coordinate their growing locations with other growers.”

This is an ongoing problem, with a lot happening in northwestern Washington counties, that WSDA said is placing commercial seed growers at risk of cross-pollination and potentially reducing the value of their crops.

The agency is responsible for enforcing state law to protect commercially grown seed crops from cross-pollination. Brassica growers in some parts of the state are required to participate in a cooperative program to coordinate their growing locations that is designed to prevent cross-pollination.

Before the 2017 planting season, WSDA mounted an education and outreach program to discourage cross-pollination in northwestern counties in the state. This included sharing information through social media, distributing postcards and talking directly to area growers.

Derek Sandison, WSDA director, explained that growers who let their plants bloom and go to seed without taking part in this process “threaten the viability of an important state seed production industry. WSDA intends to partner with brassica seed growers to seek injunctions against violators.”

Seed production is important in Washington. For example, one-quarter of the world’s cabbage seed comes from western Washington.

The brassica family includes a range of crops, including cabbage, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard, turnip and pak choi. Washington state produces more than 15 species of brassica vegetable seed crops.

State impact
Brassica is an open-pollinated crop. When these crops are allowed to bolt, flower and go to seed, they can spread pollen to neighboring fields and farms, contaminating other brassica seed crops. Washington State University Extension of Skagit County monitors brassica crops and estimated that for 2017, “unpinned” brassica crops caused approximately $1 million in damages due to lost seed crops.

WSDA regulations require brassica seed growers to participate in events that identify — or “pin” — their crop locations on a map. This applies to seed-savers as well.

Pinning the locations of cross-pollinated seed crops, which started in the state back in the 1940s, brings together seed crop growers to work together to map out where crops will be planted. The goal is to prevent unwanted cross-pollination. At a minimum, state rules require a 2-mile distance between brassica plantings of the same species, and a greater distance for some species.

In western Washington, the first pinning day was March 1. The next is slated for June 1 at the WSU Mount Vernon Research and Extension Center.

Source: WSDA