State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results 1 Q #1: In which state do you farm? 1027 responses from 45 states and territories. 3% 31% 21% 19% 14% 7% 4% 1% <1 1-3 4-6 7-10 11-15 16-20 21-30 >30 Percentage of Respondents Years Certified Q #2: How many years have you been certified organic? Figure 1. Yes 43% No 57% Q #3: Last year, did you have any organic acres in annual vegetables? Figure 2. 50% 27% 12% 3% 3% 4% 1% 0.01-3 4-10 11-50 51-80 81-160 161-480 >480 Percentage of Respondents Organic Acres in Annual Fruits and Vegetables Q #4: Last year, how many organic acres did you have in annual vegetables? Figure 3.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
1
Q #1: In which state do you farm? 1027 responses from 45 states and territories.
3%
31%
21% 19%14%
7%4%
1%
<1 1-3 4-6 7-10 11-15 16-20 21-30 >30
Perc
enta
ge o
f R
espo
nden
ts
Years Certified
Q #2: How many years have you been certified organic?Figure 1.
Yes43%
No57%
Q #3: Last year, did you have any organic acres in annual vegetables? Figure 2.
50%
27%
12%3% 3% 4% 1%
0.01-3 4-10 11-50 51-80 81-160 161-480 >480
Perc
enta
ge o
f R
espo
nden
ts
Organic Acres in Annual Fruits and Vegetables
Q #4: Last year, how many organic acres did you have in annual vegetables?
Figure 3.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
Figure 31. Q #26: Varieties bred for organic system management are important to the overall success of organic agriculture
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
12
Yes65%
No35%
Q #27: Do you think that there are crops in need of organic breeding? Figure 32.
Q #28: The highest priority crops you feel are in need of organic breeding (crop improvement) and the most important traits to breed for in those crops. Top three crops and top three traits listed. Please see Summary for descriptions and examples of traits.
36%
20%
12%
Yield Quality VigorPerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in CORN - the #1 field crop in need of breeding
Figure 33.
42%
20% 19%
Yield Pest Resistance QualityPerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in SOYBEANS - the #2 field crop in need of breeding
Figure 34.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
13
27% 27%
22%
Pest Resistance Yield Disease ResistancePerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in ALFALFA- the #3 field crop in need of breeding
Figure 35.
82%
12% 12%
Disease Resistance Flavor YieldPerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in TOMATOES- the #1 vegetable crop in need of breeding
Figure 36.
29%
23%
17%
Uniformity Disease Resistance AppearancePerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in BRASSICAS- the #2 vegetable crop in need of breeding
Figure 37.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
14
43%
20%17%
Disease Resistance Uniformity QualityPerc
enta
ge o
f Res
pond
ents
Q #28: Three most important traits to breed for in WINTER / SUMMER SQUASH - the #3 vegetable crop in need of breeding
Figure 38.
39%
49%
9% 3%
Q #29: Do you produce organic seed?*No, I do not produce organic seed either for on-farm or commercial use.
I produce organic seed for on-farm use only.
I produce organic seed commercially.
I have produced organic seed commercially in the past but not currently.
*Total greater than 100% because more than one response may apply
Figure 39.
19%
49%
32%
Q #30: Are you interested in producing organic seed for commercial use?
Yes, definitely
No
I am interested if economic opportunity and training are available.
Figure 40.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
15
21%
40%
39%
Q #31: Are you interested in conducting crop improvement/breeding on your farm?
Yes, definitely
No
I am interested if economic opportunity and training are available.
Figure 41.
Appendix A - Breakdown of specific questions by crop type (vegetable, field, forage)
437
562
431
182111
58
0100200300400500600
Vegetables and Other
Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Number of respondents who produce specific crop typesFigure 42.
Figures 43 52: The reasons you have not purchased organic seed in the past:
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Lack of seed treatments such as pelleting or priming
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 43.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
16
The reasons you have not purchased organic seed in the past (cont.):
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Processor (buyer) demands varieties in contract that are not available organically
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 44.
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Insufficient quantity of seed
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 45.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Save my own seed
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 46.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
17
The reasons you have not purchased organic seed in the past (cont.):
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Distrust of organic seed quality
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 47.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Price
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 48.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Specific variety not available
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 49.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
18
The reasons you have not purchased organic seed in the past (cont.):
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Lack of desirable genetic traits
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 50.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Not a factor Slight factor Moderate factor
More than moderate
factor
Significant factor
Seed sizing
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 51.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Lack of seed treatments
such as pelleting or
priming
buyer demands varieties not
available organically
Insufficient quantity of
seed
Save my own seed
Distrust of organic seed
quality
Price Specific variety not available
Lack of desirable
genetic traits
Seed sizing
Reasons rated moderate to significant for not purchasing organic seed in the past
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 52.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
19
Figures 53 - 60. What organic seed quality issues you have experienced?
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
Not a problem
Slight problem
Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Germination/emergence
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 53.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Not a problem Slight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Varietal integrity (i.e. not true to type)
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 54.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Not a problemSlight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Contamination by weed seed in seed lots
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 55.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
20
Organic seed quality issues (cont.):
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Not a problemSlight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Physical appearance looks suboptimal
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 56.
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Not a problem Slight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Excessive chaff and foreign matter
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 57.
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Not a problem Slight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Seedborne diseases
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 58.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
21
Organic seed quality issues (cont.):
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Not a problem Slight problem Moderate problem
More than moderate problem
Severe problem
Uneven size for seeding equipment
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 59.
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Germination / emergence
Varietal integrity (i.e. not true to
type)
Contamination by weed seed in seed
lots
Physical appearance looks
suboptimal
Excessive chaff and foreign matter
Seedborne diseases
Uneven size for seeding equipment
Seed quality problems rated moderate to severe
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 60.
Do you have more problems with the above mentioned quality issues with untreated conventional seed or organic seed?
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
I have more problems with organic seed.
I have more problems with untreated conventional seed.
Problems are about the same for both untreated conventional and
organic seed.
Do you have more quality issues with untreated conventional seed or organic seed?
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 61.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
22
Figures 62 - 64. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Strongly disagree
Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Seed companies should conduct testing and report rates of GE (GMO) contamination in organic seed.
Vegetables and Other Crops
Field and Other Crops
Forage and Other Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 62.
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%
Strongly disagree
Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
The regulatory framework in place is adequate to protect my organic farm product(s) from damages due to possible contamination by GE (GMO) crops.
Vegetables
Field Crops
Forage Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 63.
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%
Strongly disagree
Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
My organic farm product(s) are at risk from seed contaminated by GE (GMO) traits.
Vegetables
Field Crops
Forage Crops
Vegetables Only
Field Crops Only
Forage Crops Only
Growers produce:
Figure 64.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
23
Appendix B Additional Graphs
78%
22%
59%41%
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Yes No
Over the last three years have you increased the percentage of certified organic seed that you use?
Comparison of increased organic seed use and certifier requesting more steps to source organic seed
Certifier requested more steps to source organic seed
Certifier did not request more steps
Figure 65.
020406080
100
0.01-3 4-10 11-50 51-80 81-160 161-480 >480
Perc
ent o
rgan
ic s
eed
used
Organic acreage
Organic seed use by crop type and acreage
VegetablesField CropsForage Crops
Figure 66.
29
70
5463
Vegetables Field Crops Forage Crops OverallPerc
ent o
rgan
ic s
eed
used
Percent of total acreage by crop planted with organic seedFigure 67.
State of Organic Seed Report 2010: Organic Seed Survey Results
24
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Lack of seed treatments
such as pelleting or
priming
Buyer demands
varieties not available
organically
Insufficient quantity of
seed
Save my own seed
Distrust of organic seed
quality
Price Specific variety not available
Lack of desirable
genetic traits
Seed sizing Other
Reasons rated moderate to significant for not purchasing organic seed in the past
Growers with > 40 acres of vegetables and < 30% organic seed for those acres