Success StorySeed Savings



Seed Savings

Author: David Appelman

Planning Unit: Bracken County CES

Major Program: Grains

Plan of Work: Measuring the Agriculture Business

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome


Left over seed often happens on farms due to many unforeseen circumstances.  Planting delays due to weather, loss of crop acres due to property sales, or changes in market that alters planting decisions.  The problem with left over seed is that it will have lower germination rates if any at all.  

One local producer brought seed to the Bracken County Extension office for a germination test to determine if it could be salvages after a year in storage.  This seed was treated with insecticides and fungicides, so it could not be fed, or used in any other way.  The samples was sent to the seed testing lab at the UK Regulatory Services and a second sample was tested by the local ag agent.  After 5 days allowed for germination, it was determined that the seed did have an 83.8% germination rate.  One week later, the lab confirmed their test results showing an 84% germination rate.  These 2 test confirmed the viability of the seed and that it could still be used with confidence by just increasing the seeding rate by 6% of normal (90% was the expected germination for new seed).  Even with the increased seeding rate, this saved the producer over $2,000 by utilizing the container of old seed. 






Stories by David Appelman


Expanding the Impact of Tobacco Cost Share Funds

about 5 years ago by David Appelman

Expanding the Impact of Tobacco Cost Share FundsBracken County has greatly benefitted from the Phase... Read More


Kentucky Master Logger WebTV- Live Program Provides TrainingCloser to Home

about 5 years ago by David Appelman

On February 6th, 2018 UK Forestry Extension broadcast a live Logger Web TV Program to 25 counties st... Read More


Stories by Bracken County CES


Born Learning Program-Kindergarten Readiness

about 5 years ago by Shannon Smith

The Bracken County FCS along with the Bracken FRYSC Office collaborated with Taylor Elementary to of... Read More


Expanding the Impact of Tobacco Cost Share Funds

about 5 years ago by Molly Jordan

Bracken County has greatly benefitted from the Phase I Cost Share Programs over the last 16 years.Br... Read More