Texas Agriculture Code 61.004 – Labeling of Agricultural Seed
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, each container of agricultural seed that is sold or offered or exposed for sale in this state shall bear or have attached in a conspicuous place a plainly written or printed label in English that contains the following information relating to the contents of the container:
(1) the name of the kind or the kind and variety of each agricultural seed component present in excess of five percent of the whole, and the percentage by weight of each;
(2) the lot number or other lot identification;
(3) for each named agricultural seed:
(A) the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed, as determined by rule of the department;
(B) the percentage of hard seed, if present; and
(C) the calendar month and year that the test was completed to determine the percentage of germination and hard seed;
(4) the percentage by weight of agricultural seeds other than those named on the label;
(5) the origin, if known, of all agricultural seeds;
(6) the percentage by weight of all weed seeds;
(7) the name and number per pound of each noxious weed seed;
(8) the percentage by weight of inert matter;
(9) the net weight; and
(10) the name and address of the person who labeled the seed or who sells or offers or exposes the seed for sale.
(b) If in accordance with the rules of the department the kind of seed in a container is generally labeled by variety but the label does not state the variety, the label shall show the name of the kind and be printed with: “Variety Not Stated.” The label on hybrid seed shall state that the seed is hybrid. A person may not use the word “type” in any labeling in connection with the name of an agricultural seed variety.
Terms Used In Texas Agriculture Code 61.004
- Department: means the Department of Agriculture. See Texas Agriculture Code 1.003
- Month: means a calendar month. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Year: means 12 consecutive months. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) If the origin of the seed is unknown, the label shall state that the origin is unknown.
(d) The noxious weed content shall be determined according to the method prescribed under Section 61.008 of this code and the stated content is subject to the tolerances established under that section.
(e) Following the statement of germination and hard seed, a label may show a statement of total germination and hard seed.
(f) If, in accordance with rules of the department, a container of seed is sold on a pure live seed basis, the label on the container must contain the information required by Subsection (a) of this section, except:
(1) the label need not show:
(A) the percentage by weight of each agricultural seed component, as required by Subdivision (1) of Subsection (a) of this section; or
(B) the percentage by weight of inert matter, as required by Subdivision (8) of Subsection (a) of this section; and
(2) the label must show for each named agricultural seed, instead of the information required by Subdivision (3) of Subsection (a) of this section:
(A) the percentage of pure live seed, determined in accordance with rules of the department; and
(B) the calendar month and year in which the test determining the percentage of pure live seed was completed.
(g) The department by rule may provide that a label show an expiration date in lieu of the calendar month and year of a germination or pure live seed test.