• Branches and seed are collected from the tallest, best formed trees in natural stands. Each of these select trees becomes a "clone"/"family" for the species breeder to test grow.
• Progeny trials are established at various lat/long/elevations in the Seed Planning Unit (SPU). The trees are measured for growth and tolerance to insects/disease over long periods.
• The growth of an individual family is compared to the average growth of all of the select families. The calculated mean of all families in test is the 0 point of the selections. The increase above that mean is the positive Breeding Value for that family. Families in our orchards have Breeding Values that range from +10 to +50 % above that mean.
• The best families are grown in a seed orchard. The relative contribution of each families breeding value to a seedlot when mixed, then determines the calculated Genetic Worth (GW) of that seedlot.
• An 18% GW means that there is expectation that the seedlot will grow an average of 18% faster than wild seed collection.

What is the cost of using VSOC seed?

Here is a sample calculation to determine the cost per hectare of using A Class Spruce Seed. Figures shown were prepared by an independent analyst using MOF Annual Reports:

350,000 seeds/kg / $4,400/kg =$.0125/ seed
1600 seedlings/ha * Nursery over sow factor of 1.4 = 2240 seeds
Cost / Ha = $28.00/ha

Compare this cost to the cost of other silviculture treatments:

• Mechanical site preparation: $525/ha
• Nursery stock : $400+/ha
• Fertilizer: $350/ha
• Manual brushing: $525/ha
• Planting: $710/ha

What are the benefits of using VSOC seed?

Reduced overall silviculture costs. Selecting improved seed has immediate and practical benefits for forest companies. Using A Class seed from VSOC may reduce the overall area that requires mechanical site preparation, the need for larger stock, fertilizer, brushing and fill planting. A Class seedlings given the normal silviculture treatments in your area will out perform wild seed planted in the same block. Realized gain trials throughout the interior are demonstrating the expected or better then expected gains from the Tree Improvement Programs of BC. It only takes a small reduction in one of the treatments to make selecting A Class seeds a good economic choice.

Insects and disease tolerance. For sites that have increased risk of insect or disease attacking your regenerating stands, choosing a specialty VSOC seedlot that has been selected for tolerance, can give your company an increased ability to meet its free growing obligations.

Reduced operational uncertainty. Purchasing seed from VSOC is more reliable than searching for uncertain wild cone crops that have no gains in growth. Often, our seed will be in your control within hours, to be sent to the nursery on the same day that you order it.

Shorter time to reach free growing. The faster growth of A Class seed will also reduce the time your cutblocks take to achieve free growing. Reducing the time to achieving free growing has real benefit to your company's bottom line. For example, in the short time that A Class Spruce seed has been available, companies have walked away from blocks sooner knowing their responsibilities are completed. Some companies are looking at lowering the stems / ha for initial planting as more seedlings are coming through to the final stocking surveys.