Section 6

BIRD SEEDS
Purchasing & Export Market Standards
NOTE: With industry agreement (24th August, 1998) each commodity has now been allocated a
“Commodity Standard” (CS) reference and in this commodity group viz “Birdseed” the letters
“BS” are added – CSBS followed by a number. This system will facilitate specific commodity
identification.

COMMODITY
STANDARD
REFERENCE PAGE
• Terms of Trade 6.2
• Grey Stripe Sunflower CSBS 1 & CSBS 2 6.4
• Black Sunflower CSBS 3 & CSBS 4 6.5
• White Safflower CSBS 5 & CSBS 6 6.6
• Panicum Millet CSBS 7 & CSBS 8 6.7
• Panorama Millet CSBS 9 & CSBS 10 6.8
• Canary Seed CSBS 11 and CSBS 12 6.9
• Shirohie Millet CSBS 13 & CSBS 14 6.10
• Japanese Millet CSBS 15 & CSBS 16 6.11
• French White Millet CSBS 17 & CSBS 18 6.12
• Red Birdseed Sorghum CSBS 19 & CSBS 20 6.13
• Bird Seed Maize CSBS 21 and CSBS 22 6.14
• Siberian Millet CSBS 23 & CSBS 24 6.15
• Red Panicum Millet CSBS 25 & CSBS 26 6.16
• Dehulled Oats (Groats) CSBS 27 6.17
• Pearl Millet CSBS 28 & CSBS 29 6.18
 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED STANDARDS

TERMS OF TRADE
The following points are to be read in conjunction with these Bird Seed Standards.

A. Sampling & Screening Procedures

• The sampling and testing procedure as those undertaken when sampling
course grains. At least three samples must be taken from a bulk delivery -
(1) centre, (1) front, (1) rear to full depth of load, plus a sweep test per each
trailer or vehicle.
• All sample calculations are based on a half litre unless otherwise specified.

B. Admixture Calibration
These are referred to under each particular seed or grain.
The terminology for admixture , is what is retained on the
top screen and what passes through on the bottom screen .

C. Storage, Transport & Handling Hygiene.

• Storage must be clean and free of any build up of insects and showing no
evidence of leakage or moisture ingress with preference given for aeration.
• Handling systems must be clean and free of any cross contamination and
insects.
• Transport must be inspected prior to loading and be free of any cross
contamination, insects and dry and free of any moisture ingress.

D. Moisture Calculations and calibration

Moisture calculations are done on an unground or whole seed or grain basis and
calculated on the appropriate wheat or oil seed scale. Moisture meters have to be
calibrated annually against a standard oven method .

E. Vendor Declarations
Must be supplied on delivery of any seed or grain .

F. Sampling
A sample submitted for sale assessment must be equal to or better than the sample
drawn from the load. Failure to meet sample standard may result in load rejection or
reassessment.

Effective 1 December 2004 2 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

G. Objectionable Material
Is defined as material or evidence of other items that may be found in the delivered
product which cannot be processed into a saleable product.
• Seed must comply with the Agricultural Standards Regulations regarding
pesticides in grain.
• No Contaminants e.g. pickle
• Nil GMO refers to each contracted commodity
• mould , fungus or toxins
• Vermin and or excrement.
• Dead insects – maximum five all types
• Insect damaged seed or grain maximum 2.50 % by weight
• Any harmful substance including prohibited and noxious seeds as declared
by State Legislation and which are not otherwise of commercial quality,
will be subject to rejection
• Free of odour , rancidity and or mustiness; and

H. Weed Seed Tolerances

Where weed seeds are evident in birdseeds then the tolerance levels are the same as
those nominated in the grain sorghum and or wheat standards.

I. Delivery
Rejection of a load does not constitute delivery.

Final delivery of the product will be completed at the time of

unloading and therefore acceptance. Any rejection, claims or
adjustments must be made between the buyer and the seller prior to
unloading .

Effective 1 December 2004 3 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED GREY STRIPE SUNFLOWER - CSBS 1

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be free of staining, well defined stripe, fresh, bright and of
Description: sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 6.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at buyers

option over 6.0%. Screen size retention on 7.5 mm round on top screen
and throughs on 4.0 mm slot bottom screen

Weight: Minimum test weight of 38 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 9.0% maximum as per Sunflower calibration chart. Marconi moisture

meter set at ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

Schlerotinia

BIRD SEED GREY STRIPE SUNFLOWER - CSBS 2

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Seed should be sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 98. 0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Grey Striped Sunflower

seed (material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 38kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 9.0% maximum on the sunflower calibration chart.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Objectio
nable Schlerotinia
Material

Effective 1 December 2004 4 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED BLACK SUNFLOWER - CSBS 3

Bulk farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed is bright, shiny black colour in appearance and well sized.
Description: Seed should be fresh, free of staining, consistent with variety and type
and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 6.0%maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 6.0%. Screen size retention on 7.5 mm round top
screen and throughs 4.00 mm slot on bottom screen.
Weight: Minimum test weight of 38 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 9.0% maximum as per the sunflower calibration chart. Marconi moisture
meter set at ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

Schlerotina

BIRD SEED BLACK SUNFLOWER - CSBS 4

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Product should be sound merchantable quality

Description:

Purity: 98. 0% by weight (including broken seeds) of Black Sunflower seed

(material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 38kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 9.0% maximum as per sunflower calibration chart. Marconi moisture

meter at ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

Schlerotina

Effective 1 December 2004 5 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED SAFFLOWER SEED - CSBS 5

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be a white colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free of
Description: staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Screen sizes retention on 7.5 mm round top
screen and throughs 4 .00 mm round on bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 48 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 8.0% maximum as per safflower calibration chart. Marconi moisture meter
set on ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable Refer Terms of Trade

Material Nil Sprouted seed

BIRD SEED SAFFLOWER SEED - CSBS 6

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product The seed shall be white colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free of staining
Description: and sound merchantable quality.

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Safflower seed (material

smaller than half seed classified as impurity).
Weight: Minimum 48kg per hectolitre.

8.0% maximum as per safflower

Moisture: calibration chart .

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 6 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED PANICUM MILLET - CSBS 7

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be bright in appearance, fresh, free from stain and of sound
Description: merchantable quality, consistent to variety and type.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Screen size retention on 2.8 round on top
screen and throughs on 1.0 mm slot bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 62.5 kilograms per hectolitre.

13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set at

Moisture: ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED PANICUM MILLET - CSBS 8

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) Panicum seed (material smaller
than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 62.5kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 7 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED PANORAMA MILLET - CSBS 9

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be bright in appearance, fresh, free from stain and of sound
Description: merchantable quality, consistent to variety and type.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Screen sizes retention 2.8 mm round top
screen and throughs 1.0 mm slot bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 62.5 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture set at ambient
temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection or assessment.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED PANORAMA MILLET - CSBS 10

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Panorama Millet (material

smaller than half seed classified as impurity).
Weight: Minimum 62.5kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 8 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED CANARY SEED - CSBS 11

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be a light even colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free of
Description: staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 8.0 % maximum by weight. The retained sample should not
contain greater than 2.0 % dehulled seed by weight and a maximum of
1.0% of other grains . Top screen size retention 3.2 mm round and
throughs 1.6 round bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 65 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set on
ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED CANARY SEED - CSBS 12

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Product should be sound merchantable quality

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds and dehulled) of Canary seed
(material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 65kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 9 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED SHIROHIE MILLET - CSBS -13

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be a light grey colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free
Description: from bleaching or staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen sizes are retention on 2.8 mm
round and throughs 1.3 mm round bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 46 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture to be set on

ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED SHIROHIE MILLET - CSBS -14

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Shirohie Millet seed

(material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 46kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 10 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED JAPANESE MILLET - CSBS -15

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be tan to light tan colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free
Description: from bleaching or staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention on 2.8 mm
round and throughs on 1.3 mm round bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 46 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set at
ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED JAPANESE MILLET - CSBS -16

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Japanese Millet seed

(material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 46kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0.0% maximum on the wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 11 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED FRENCH WHITE MILLET - CSBS -17

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be white colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free from
Description: stain and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention on 2.80 mm
round and throughs of 1.6 mm round on bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 62.5 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per the wheat scale. Marconi moisture is set at
ambient temperature

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED FRENCH WHITE MILLET - CSBS -18

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of French White Millet seed

Purity: (material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 62.5kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per the wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 12 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED RED SORGHUM - CSBS 19

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed is to be a bright red colour in appearance and well sized. Fresh,
Description: free of staining, consistent with variety and type and of sound merchantable
quality.

Allowable 5.0 % maximum by weight in total per following sub-

Admixture: headings.
FOREIGN MATTER - Maximum 2.0% by weight of all matter other than red
sorghum.
SCREENINGS - Maximum 2.0% by weight. All matter passing through
2mm slotted hole screen, soil subject to rejection or assessment.
TRASH - Maximum 2.0% by weight. Retained on a 5 mm round hole
screen.
Total of sub-headings not to exceed 6.0 %.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 71 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.5% maximum as per wheat scale. Marconi moisture set on ambient
temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of all live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade

Ergot maximum of 0.1%.

BIRD SEED RED SORGHUM - CSBS 20

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Product should be sound merchantable quality and bright red in colour
Description:

99.0%by weight ( including broken seeds ) of sorghum ( material smaller

Purity: than half seed will be classified as impurity ) .

Weight: Minimum 71kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.5% maximum as per wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 13 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED MAIZE - CSBS - 21

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed is a bright yellow colour in appearance and well sized. It should
Description: be fresh and free of staining and mould be consistent with variety and type
and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at buyers

option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention 0n 11.0 mm round and
throughs on 3.2 round bottom screen. Dead grain maximum 1. 0% by
weight .

Weight: Minimum test weight of 70 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 14.0% maximum as per wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set on
ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer to Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED MAIZE - CSBS - 22

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Product should be of sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99% by weight (including broken seeds) of Maize (material smaller than half
seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 70kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 14.0% maximum on wheat scale

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 14 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED SIBERIAN MILLET - CSBS 23

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be greyish/green colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free
Description: from staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention on 2.8 mm round
and throughs 1.3 mm round on bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 46 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per the wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set on
ambient temperature.
Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance – subjection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material Refer Terms of Trade

BIRD SEED SIBERIAN MILLET - CSBS 24

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Siberian Millet seed (material
smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 4 6 kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 15 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED RED PANICUM MILLET - CSBS - 25

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be a red colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free of staining
Description: and of sound merchantable quality consistent to variety and type.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention on 2.8 mm round
and throughs 1.0 mm round bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 62.5 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on the wheat scale. Marconi moisture set on ambient
temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance – subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material Refer Terms of Trade.

BIRD SEED RED PANICUM MILLET - CSBS - 26

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Red Panicum seed (material
smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 62.5kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 16 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED DEHULLED OATS (GROATS) - CSBS - 27

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Product should be fresh and sound merchantable quality and should be
Description: white/grey colour in appearance.

Purity: 99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds and dehulled) of Dehulled Oat
grain (material smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 4 6.0 kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 12.0% maximum.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects . .

Free of rancidity

Effective 1 December 2004 17 of 18

 Bird Seed Standards

BIRD SEED PEARL MILLET - CSBS - 28

Bulk Farmers Dressed PURCHASING STANDARD

Product The seed shall be a greenish grey colour in appearance, fresh, bright, free
Description: from staining and of sound merchantable quality.

Admixture: Allowable 5.0% maximum by weight and is subject to rejection at the

purchaser's option over 5.0%. Top screen size retention on 3.0 mm round
and throughs 1.3 mm round bottom screen.

Weight: Minimum test weight of 4 6 kilograms per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum as per wheat scale. Marconi moisture meter set on
ambient temperature.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Soil: Nil tolerance - subject to rejection at buyers option.

Objectionable
Material: Refer Terms of Trade.

BIRD SEED PEARL MILLET - CSBS - 29

Machine Dressed EXPORT or Domestic MARKET STANDARD

Product Sound merchantable quality.

Description:

99.0 % by weight (including broken seeds) of Pearl Millet seed (material

Purity: smaller than half seed classified as impurity).

Weight: Minimum 4 6 kg per hectolitre.

Moisture: 13.0% maximum on wheat scale.

Insects: Nil tolerance of live insects.

Effective 1 December 2004 18 of 18