Seeds falling into a hessian sach
Photo by Adrian Gomez

Food Sectors

Seed production

Seed producers grow plants to both supply seed to farmers and crofters, and develop new varieties.

Updated 9 May 2024

Harvesting seeds

Many crops like cereals are harvested for seed at the same as it would be for food. However, this timing is often different for vegetables and it is a good idea to look up harvesting time chart for your crop species (see guides listed in ’Producing seeds’). 

How seed is harvested, dried and cleaned for packaging depend on whether the crop is dry-seeded or wet-seeded.

Treating seeds

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/pesticides-registration/applicant-guide/treated-seed/requirements.htm