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Cone and seed fee schedule
Effective July 1, 2003

Domestic Surplus Seed Prices Cone and Seed Service Fees

Letter of Introduction from the Chief Forester
Adobe Acrobat version (170 kb)
Previous Surplus Seed Price Schedule
Previous Cone & Seed Service Fee Schedule

Domestic surplus seed prices

The following prices apply to the sale of ministry seed purchased on an individual sowing request basis.

1. Seed orchard seed

Species
Species Code
Price per kg of seed
Average Germination
Cedar, western red
Cw
$6,500
82%
Douglas-fir: (genetic worth 2-6%)
Fd
$2,500
90%
Douglas-fir: (genetic worth > 7%)
Fd
$3,850
90%
Hemlock, western
Hw
$5,500
91%
Larch, western
Lw
$3,850
88%
Pine, lodgepole
Pl
$6,300
93%
Pine, western white
Pw
$2,500
88%
Spruce, interior
Sx
$4,400
90%
Spruce, Sitka
Ss
$4,000
92%

2. Natural stand seed

Species
Species Code
Price per kg of seed
Average Germination
Cedar, western red
Cw
$1,355
82%
Cedar, yellow (cypress)
Yc
$3,007
40%
Douglas-fir, Coastal
Fdc
$750
90%
Douglas-fir, Coastal (1966 crop)
Fdc
$428
80%
Douglas-fir, Interior
Fdi
$557
90%
Fir, grand
Bg
$194
80%
Fir, Pacific silver (amabilis)
Ba
$242
76%
Fir, subalpine
Bl
$387
63%
Hemlock, mountain
Hm
$1,779
88%
Hemlock, western
Hw
$1,392
91%
Larch, western
Lw
$1,525
88%
Pine, lodgepole Coastal
Plc
$1,234
93%
Pine, lodgepole Interior
Pli
$1,482
93%
Pine, western white
Pw
$908
88%
Pine, yellow (ponderosa)
Py
$242
91%
Spruce, Sitka
Ss
$811
92%
Spruce, other
Sx
$668
90%

3. Germination price adjustment

If the percent germination of a seedlot is the same or higher than the average listed in the tables, there is no adjustment to the price.

If the percent germination of a seedlot is lower than the average in the tables, the following adjustment formula will apply.

Adjustment formula


4. Price variations

The ministry may set different prices for seed if:

  • there is no seed price listed for the species and source;
  • the ministry acquired the seed for a price different from that listed in the tables above;
  • the seed was produced to specifications requested by a client which required additional resources to produce, collect or process; or
  • the seed is sold as part of a bulk sale or seed supply agreement.


Cone and seed service fees

This schedule contains fees for the following services offered at the ministry’s Tree Seed Centre:

1. Cone and Seed Processing
2. Seed Testing
3. Seed Preparation
4. Seed Withdrawal and Transport
5. Other Services

This fee schedule does not apply to services rendered in registering and storing seed in accordance with the prescribed requirements under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, and the Forest and Range Practices Act - including associated seed testing, withdrawal, and transport.

For information about all Tree Seed Centre services, please contact the manager at (604) 541-1683, extension 2224 or visit http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hti/treeseedcentre/index.htm

1. Cone and seed processing

1.1 Basic processing fees

Type of seedlot
Fee per request
Standard (bulk)
$100
Family
$75

Basic seedlot charges are divided equally among owners.

1.2 Processing fees by species

In addition to the Basic Processing Fees, the following fees apply:

Species
Fees
$/Hectolitre Cones
Pine, lodgepole (interior & coast)
Pine, white,
Pine, whitebark & limber
$40
Spruce, interior
$48
Douglas-fir (interior & coast)
$50
Alder spp.
Birch spp.
Cedar, western red
Cedar, yellow
Hemlock, western
Larch spp.
Pine, yellow (ponderosa)
$60
Spruce, black
$73
Fir, amabilis, grand, subalpine
Hemlock, mountain

$100

Multi-agency seedlot charges are apportioned by volume owned.
Lots less than or equal to two hectolitres in size are subject to a 10% surcharge.

Services provided for the above fees include:

  • pre-collection cone and seed evaluations
  • pre-treatment, conditioning and storage of cones
  • kiln, wind and/or ambient drying of cones
  • tumbling and/or screening to extract and recover seeds
  • seed cleaning, de-winging and separation to specified purity, moisture, filled seed and homogeneity standards
  • mixing, labelling, and bagging of seed
  • cone and seed inspections performed throughout the process
  • On processing completion, observations, results and any recommendations are reported to clients. Problems may be reported to clients at any stage during processing.
  • All standard germination testing, seeds per gram, moisture content and purity.
  • Every effort to process seedlots on a priority basis is made providing the seedlot in question can tolerate expedited processing.

Fees for the processing of seed only are based on a proportion of the applicable Basic Processing and Cone and Seed Processing Fees above. Contact the Tree Seed Centre for more information.

2. Seed testing

If clients wish to request additional or family lot testing, the following per test charges apply. The Tree Seed Centre offers these services using International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards and protocols.

2.1 Germination tests

Species
Fee per test*
Douglas-fir (interior & coast)
Pine, lodgepole (interior & coast)
Pine, yellow (ponderosa)
Spruce spp.
$22
Alder spp.
Birch spp.
Cedar, western red
$25
Fir, grand
Hemlock, western & mountain
Larch, western & subalpine
$28
Cedar, yellow
$35
Fir, amabilis, grand & subalpine
Pine, white, whitebark & limber
$40

*Single germination test performed - preferred type is selected. Germination peak value (germination rate) is derived from the above tests.

2.2 Other tests

Type of test
Fee per test*
Purity
$18
Moisture Content
$9
Seed Weight (seeds per gram)
$15

*If more than one test for a seedlot or family lot is requested at one time, the fee for each additional test will be reduced by $6.

3. Seed preparation

3.1 Seed stratification

Length/Type of Treatment
Fee per request
3-6 weeks
$22
Extended stratification*
$27

*True firs, white pine, yellow cedar and requests for more than 6 weeks stratification duration.

Stratification services provided for above fees include:

  • running water soak
  • surface drying where appropriate
  • chilling
  • re-dry techniques used for Abies spp.
  • testing and inspection throughout the process.

3.2 Seed pelleting

Species/Weight
Fee per request
Cedar, western red <250 grams
$111
Cedar, western red >250 grams
$211
Alder & other spp
Based on contractor rates*

*Contact Tree Seed Centre for current rates.

Seed pellet services are provided on contract and the Tree Seed Centre facilitates this process and tests and inspects the final product.

4. Seed withdrawal and transport

Seed withdrawal and transport requests for purposes not associated with Crown land reforestation, education, research or public relations are provided at the following charges:

Service
Fee per request
Withdrawal
$9
Transportation
$2*

*Clients should advise the TSC directly if other than standard shipping methods are preferred and if so, transport charges are at request agency or nursery expense.

Services provided for these fees includes withdrawal, packaging and labelling of seed in a secure carton containing a freezer pack, weighbill, and couriered by overnight delivery (standard carrier).

5. Other services

Fees for other services are:

Service
Fee per hour
Seed sizing
$26/hr
Density separation
Seed dry-back

Notes:

  • An Invoice Statement (FS70) is prepared on completion of services and forwarded to clients.
  • All fees are subject to GST (provincial government agents exempt).
  • Charges are billed directly to the requesting agency unless the Tree Seed Centre is otherwise directed in writing.

For further information please contact the Tree Seed Centre at (604) 541-1683, extension 2224.

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