ISTA Workshop on Seed Sampling and Quality Assurance on Sampling

Aim of the workshop 

The aim of the workshop is to provide an overview of seed sampling in a range of species but also to provide a forum where questions relating to seed sampling methodologies can be discussed.

 

Target Group:

This workshop will appeal to people in both seed testing laboratories and the wider seed industry, including seed store staff, who are involved in sampling seed.

 

Workshop content

The workshop will be taught through formal lectures, practical work and a series of exercises where participants will form into groups to work on. Topics included in the workshop are:

· Introduction to seed sampling methods (lectures)

· Principles behind seed sampling, sealing bags and labelling (lectures)

· Dividing samples for submission to a laboratory (practicals)

· Automatic seed sampling (lectures)

· Sampling containers, bags, boxes, and dividing samples (practicals)

· Quality assurance in sampling (lectures and practicals)

 

The language will be English – no translation.
 

Workshop Organiser	International Seed Testing Association Richtiarkade 18, 8304 Wallisellen, Switzerland Contact person: Andreea-Nicoleta Pinar                                                                          Email: andreea.pinar@ista.ch AsureQuality Seed Laboratory Address: Batchelar House, 80 Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4410 Contact person: Sue Cousins, Laboratory Manager Seed & Plant Health                                                                             Email: Sue.Cousins@asurequality.com
Lecturers	Corinne Guimier - Chair of the ISTA Bulking and Sampling Committee Eddie Goldschagg - Vice-Chair of the ISTA Bulking and Sampling Committee Leena Pietilä - Member of the ISTA Bulking and Sampling Committee Justin Salter - Member of the ISTA Bulking and Sampling Committee
Participation fee	ISTA Members: 600 USD ISTA Non-Members: 900 USD

The participation fee includes all literature and supporting material for the workshop, lunches, coffee breaks and workshop official dinner. It does not include accommodation or meals other than those specified.

The number of participants is a minimum of 25 and restricted to a maximum of 30 participants. 

Registration and payment deadline is 13 April 2025

Please note:  
For cancellations made before 13 April 2025 registration fees are refundable minus a 50 USD administration fee.
For cancellations made after 13 April 2025 registration fees are non-refundable. 

Accomodation recommendation

There are numerous accommodation options in Ashburton. The organisers suggest:

Bella Vista Motel

469 West Street, Allenton, Ashburton 7700, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 307 7505

Website for enquires: https://www.bellavista.co.nz/our-motels/ashburton

A shuttle bus from the Bella Vista Hotel to the Ashburton Club will be arranged for participants without transport

Note: Guests may book directly with the hotel and will be responsible for payment of their own room, taxes and incidentals.

 

Travel & Visa Information

The closest international airport is Christchurch International Airport, with connecting flights via Aukland, Dubai (1 technical stop), Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore

You may need a VISA and a Letter of Invitation for entry into New Zealand. For more information, please consult the Embassy of New Zealand in your country.

If you require an invitation letter, or for any additional information, please contact:

Andreea-Nicoleta Pinar
Email: andreea.pinar@ista.ch

The invitation letter will be issued by ISTA Secretariat only after payment of the registration fee.

Young@ISTA Programme

Participants eligible to apply for support to attend the workshop under the Young@ISTA programme should review the funding criteria and download the application form here: Young@ISTA - International Seed Testing Association 

Applications for funding close on Saturday, 01 March 2025