Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is PLS?

A. PLS is an acronym for Pure Live Seed. After seed has been harvested, it is delivered to the processing facility where it is cleaned, packaged, and stored. At this point it will be assigned a lot number. A sample of that lot is sent to a seed laboratory. A sack of seed contains pure seed, the seed you want. The sack may also contain weed seed, other crop seed, and inert materials. The seed laboratory determines the percentage of material that is pure seed. The laboratory also determines the percentage of germination for the pure seed. By multiplying the percentage of pure seed and the germination percentage of that pure seed, a number is derived known as Pure Live Seed percentage. This is the percentage of the bag that is pure live seed (PLS).

Q. What is VNS?

A. VNS is an acronym for Variety Not Stated. A lot of plant seed is available in specific varieties be it from breeding efforts or site selection. However, some plant seed is from native harvest and therefore does not have a varietal name. We usually note this seed as Native. Still other seed might be produced from non-varietal seed stock. We usually label these with their scientific name or as variety not stated (VNS).