There's been plenty of concern on the part of Colorado wheat growers as harvest ends for 2013 over how much certified seed will be available for the next go-round. Drought in seed production regions like the southeast state and  western Kansas has raised questions over supplies.

Crop failures in those areas have resulted in an effort by the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation and certified seed producers to obtain seed from areas where there may be excesses of production to fill the Colorado gap.

That should bring some relief, says CWRF executive director Darrell Hanavan. "There should be enough seed," he says, but adds that farmers need to make arrangements with certified dealers now.

As Colorado growers finish their wheat harvests, concern is rising over the availability of certified seed for next year due to drought losses in seed production regions of the state.

"I believe there will be plenty of good quality certified seed for those who make their arrangements without waiting until the last minute," he warns.

He urges farmers to remember that brown-bagging seed (buying or selling seed protected by the Plant Variety Protection Act to be used as seed from an unlicensed dealer) is illegal and   carries substantial penalties.

Most new wheat seeds are federally-protected and can only be sold as a class of certified seed. Farmers may save their own wheat  seed from previous years to replant on their own farms, however.

But if that seed is protected under a technology agreement  or other type of contract, such as the Clearfield variety (Brawl  CL Plus, Bond CL and Thunder CL) or Snowmass hard white winter wheat, even replanting on your own farm is a violation.

Producers are asked to check the PlainsGold website at www.plainsgold.com which lists seed growers and varieties available, contact their local seed grower to check  on availability of certified seed in the area or contact CWRF at (970) 449-6994 for information and assistance.

Additional information is also available on the Plant Variety Protection Act website.