Processing Plant Certification

How do you certify your forage and feed products as Noxious Weed Seed Free?

1. Contact the Department and/or submit an annual application to certifiedforage@mt.gov
2. Schedule an annual plant inspection with the Department
3. During an inspection:
   • The agent will ensure all facilities must meet the following criteria:
     • Equipment is cleaned of any noxious weed seeds prior to processing forage for certification,
     • The forage is pelleted following the standard pelleting process,
     • All screens are maintained in a good operating condition,
     • The forage pellets are reground with a number six (6/64 inch) screen or smaller, and
     • the temperature of the pellets extruded from the die is greater than 140° F.
     • To certify cubes or other forage products, facilities must ensure that:
       • All constituents be processed from certified forage meeting Montana certification standards.
       • Equipment is cleaned of any noxious weed seeds prior to processing forage for certification.
     • Samples are taken of all products to be certified in MT and sent to the Montana state seed laboratory or an alternate facility designated by the department to determine if the product meets NWSFF standards of zero tolerance.
     • A certification certificate is provided to the facility at the conclusion of the inspection/sampling/analysis process

4. Fees associated with certification:
   • Inspection fees of $44/hr or $88 minimum
   • Approved markers (must be adhered to each bag or product): $0.15 to $0.40/label
   • State Seed Lab fees – current rate ~$63/sample
   • Agent travel fees- may include mileage, per diem, transportation and lodging if necessary

Selling / Bringing Certified Materials into Montana

1. Certified grain concentrates, pellets, cubes or other forage byproducts must have a separate label attached showing proof of certification
2. For out-of-state pelleted, cubed or grain concentrate products the label on the product must be in compliance with Montana's standards for Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage
3. Only product markers provided by the department, or its agents may be used. Fees for markers are as follows:
   • Labels for grain concentrates, pellets, and cubes will be $0.40/label;
   • Labels for in-state grain concentrates, pellets, and cubes made from certified noxious weed seed free materials
     • $0.15/adhesive label; or $0.25/weather and tear resistant sewn-in label;
   • Labels for in-state bulk grain concentrates, pellets, and cubes will be $0.20/50 pounds;
4. Each load of materials must be accompanied by a transportation certificate