Buyers of certified seed are buying a product that is true to type, of high physical purity and germination and tested to be free of prohibited weed seeds.

Although the price of seed sold ‘off the header’ might appeal, the reality is most commercial crops to some degree become contaminated by other crop seeds caught up in equipment such as combines, headers, augers and storage bins or become contaminated by self sown seeds germinating from previous crops.

There is also the risk introducing unwanted weed seeds.

Quality sowing seed is the basis of a successful cropping or pasture establishment program, and is not the place to be trying to save a dollar. Any premium paid for certified seed should be viewed as an investment, as well as insurance against introducing possible long-term problems.

Recognising certified seed

• Statement of Seed Analysis: 
  It is not always easy to tell which seed is certified. However, when purchasing any seed for sowing the smart thing to do is to ask to see a copy of the Seed Analysis Certificate. This will clearly state whether or not the seed is certified.
• Official labels:
  Only certified seed is labelled with official certification labels. These may be blue, red or green and all have a black section at the top of the label which clearly states ‘certified seed’.

Seed that is not certified is not required to meet any standards for varietal purity or physical quality. This means that as long as seed is labelled in accordance with the industry Code of Practice, the seller is legally able to offer any physical or varietal quality of seed for sale. Therefore a label in itself is no indication of quality unless the system of seed production is known and understood by the purchaser.

More information:

Smart Seed Buying
Purchasing Seed - Resolving disputes