Kansas Wheat Alliance offers several varieties under a Certified Seed Only (CSO) license.
By planting a CSO variety, you’re not only getting access to strong, competitive genetics for your farm, you’re also directly supporting the Kansas State University wheat breeding program.
Royalties from your purchase help fund the development of future wheat varieties for Kansas farmers and research for more stress tolerant and valuable wheat.
Current Non-Traited CSO Varieties
CSO Grower Agreement
Every grower planting a CSO variety is required to sign the Certified Seed Only Grower Agreement.
CSO Sunset Timelines
Non-traited varieties are subject to the Certified Seed Only agreement for four years after release. On the fifth year, the CSO designation will be ‘sunsetted’. This will not apply to varieties containing protected traits such as Clearfield, CoAxium, or ‘-OX’.
Current varietal standings:
KS Territory and KS Big Bow: Cannot be saved Summer 2026, Will be sold as non CSO fall 2026, Can be saved summer 2027
KS Bill Snyder: CSO Until Summer 2027, Sold as non CSO Fall 2027, Can be saved Summer 2028
KS Tradition and KS Flintlock: CSO until Summer 2029, Sold as non CSO Fall 2029, Can be saved Summer 2030
What this Means for You
For KS Territory and KS Big Bow
Seed purchased in fall of 2025 is still covered under the Certified Seed Only Grower Agreement.
You may plant that seed this fall, harvest grain in summer 2026, and market the grain.
You cannot save grain in summer 2026 from this crop for replanting.
Seed purchased in fall of 2026 will not be under the CSO grower agreement.
You may plant certified seed in fall 2026, harvest grain in summer 2027, and then save seed from that 2027 crop to plant in fall 2027
For KS Bill Snyder
Seed purchased in fall of 2026 is still covered under the Certified Seed Only Grower Agreement.
You may plant that seed in the fall, harvest grain in summer 2027, and market the grain.
You cannot save grain in summer 2027 from this crop for replanting.
Seed purchased in fall of 2027 will not be under the CSO grower agreement.
You may plant certified seed in fall 2027, harvest grain in summer 2028, and then save seed from that 2028 crop to plant in fall 2028.
For KS Tradition and KS Flintlock
Seed purchased in fall of 2028 is still covered under the Certified Seed Only Grower Agreement.
You may plant that seed in the fall, harvest grain in summer 2029, and market the grain.
You cannot save grain in summer 2029 for replanting.
Seed purchased in fall of 2029 will not be under the CSO grower agreement.
You may plant certified seed in fall 2029, harvest grain in summer 2030, and then save seed from that 2030 crop to plant in fall 2030.
Why CSO Matters
CSO varieties return value to the public breeding system, ensuring continued innovation for future wheat varieties and funds impactful public wheat research. KWA funds research at several labs at Kansas State University, the Manhattan and Hays wheat breeding programs, and the Wheat Genetics Resource Center. The research done at these labs helps strengthen the Kansas wheat crop and brings value back to your operation.
Your purchase today helps support Kansas State University’s wheat breeding program and keeps new genetics coming to farms across Kansas and surrounding states.
Questions?
For more information, talk with your local Kansas Wheat Alliance seed associate or contact us at kswheatalliance.org.