Seed Crop Production
Seed production is a growing industry in Yolo County, with a value of $53 million on 32,600 acres, up from $41 million on 25,000 acres in 2010 (Yolo County Crop Report, 2011). Seed crops grown in the Sacramento Valley include sunflower, onion, carrot, squash, cucumber, melon, cole crops, corn, peppers, root crops, safflower, sorghum, and tomato, alfalfa, beans, turnips oats, canola, native grasses, and flowers. UC research focuses on pollination ecology and integrated pest management. More information on seed production in California can be found through the following websites.
The California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA), a non-profit corporation, is officially recognized as the seed certifying agency under the California Seed Law. The mission of CCIA is to provide services and support research that promotes the improvement, production, distribution and use of superior quality seeds and other agricultural products. http://ccia.ucdavis.edu/
The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center, who’s mission is to mobilize the research, educational and outreach resources of UC Davis in partnership with the seed and biotechnology industries to facilitate discovery and commercialization of new seed technologies for agricultural and consumer benefit. http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/