Birdseed

Some researchers and regulators are concerned that noxious weeds may be disseminated through birdseeds. This service is of value for producers, regulators and users of birdseeds. The identity of seeds in birdseed mixes can be determined, and some or all tested for viability.

Test that may be ordered include:

• Noxious search
• Germination or tetrazolium
• Mill check to determine percentages

Examples of recent tests:

• A researcher was conducting a study of birdseed contaminants.  We did a visual examination of the bags of birdseed, removed noxious weeds, identified, weighed and calculated percentages and returned the noxious seeds to researcher.
• Similar search was conducted for another researcher with birdseeds from different suppliers. Researcher required separation and quantification of each seed species present in the birdseed bag.