The seed industry in Ohio is characterized by the production and marketing of major and minor crop species. Ohio-grown and Ohio-conditioned seed is valued at $40 million a year, while the total value of seed used for crop production in Ohio approaches $120 million per year (excluding turfgrass seed). In general, the Ohio seed industry can best be described as quite diverse and comprised of both privately owned and corporate firms.
The Ohio farmers' annual requirement for seed of major agronomic crops is met by both the importation of (out-of-state) seed and domestic (Ohio) production. Domestic seed-corn production in Ohio is estimated to supply 1 percent of the seed needs for the state. It is estimated that 15 percent of the 4.5 million acres of Ohio soybeans are planted using domestically produced and certified soybean seed. Approximately 40 percent of Ohio's 1.1 million acres of wheat are planted to certified seed and branded seed.
Other miscellaneous seed produced in Ohio includes small grain seed crops, such as barley, spelt, and rye, and legumes, such as red clover.
Ohio farmers' need for forage, grass, and specialty-crop seed species is largely met by importing seedstock from other states. These minor crops include grasses, forage legumes, and vegetables. Information regarding turf-type seed species usage is unavailable. However, urban consumer and industrial demand is estimated to exceed $6 million annually for these high-value seed types.
Nursery and greenhouse production of ornamental plants is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture. Together, these constitute Ohio's third largest plant commodity behind corn and soybeans. On a nationwide basis, Ohio ranks fifth in wholesale production of ornamental plants.
During the decade of the 1990s, The Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OSU-OARDC) and cooperative U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) breeding programs have released 77 new varieties and germplasm lines (see Table 1). Of these 77, 52 have been public or cooperative USDA-ARS releases. Releases have included one birch, 11 maize synthetic populations, four maize inbreds, and five oat, one pear, six soft red winter wheat, 34 soybean, one spelt, four strawberry, and 10 processing tomato cultivars.