Varieties and seeds courses
NIAB has trained many generations of crop inspectors and seed analysts from across the UK agricultural industry. Our training, including refresher courses, is based around the seed certification schemes. We train more than 300 crop inspectors each year, who go on to officially check the various levels of certified seed that are sold in the UK, with 550 field plots set-aside specifically for training purposes. Courses are also available on seed sampling, grain variety identification, seed analysis and seed certification administration.
Training courses 2024/25
SEED CERTIFICATION AND CROP INSPECTORS
For further information and to book places email cert.training [at] niab.com
Cereal crop inspectors training and examination
Course |
Part & Location |
Course date |
Exam date |
Application Deadline |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cereals Crop Inspectors training and examination |
|||||
Cereals Initial | Part I - Online | 27- 30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | 06/01/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based |
17/06/2025 |
17/06/2025 |
06/01/2025 |
||
Cereal initial optional dry material revision session | 27/03/2025 | 27/03/2025 | 06/01/2025 | ||
Cereal Licensed & Licensed Higher Retest | Part I - Online | 12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | 22/01/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 16/06/2025 | 19/06/2025 | 22/01/2025 | ||
Cereal Offical Retest | Part I - Online | 12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | 22/01/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 17/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | 22/01/2025 | ||
Compulsory Re-Attendance. INVITE ONLY | Part I compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Online | 12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | 22/01/2025 | Invite only |
Part II compulsory re-attendance for 2024 Official Candidates - Plot based | 17/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | 22/01/2025 | ||
Part II compulsory re-attendance for 2024 Licenced/Licenced Higher Candidates - Plot based | 19/06/2025 | 19/06/2025 | 22/01/2025 | ||
Herbage crop inspectors training and examination |
|||||
Herbage Initial | Part I - Online | 25/02/2025 | 25/02/2025 | 04/02/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 08/05/2025 | 08/05/2025 | 04/02/2025 | ||
Herbage Lincesed, Licensed Higher & Official Retest | Part I - Online | 25/02/2025 | 25/02/2025 | 04/02/2025 | Book here |
Part II - plot based | 08/05/2025 | 08/05/2025 | 04/02/2025 | ||
Compulsory Re-Attendance. INVITE ONLY | Part I compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Online | 25/02/2025 | 25/02/2025 | 04/02/2025 | Invite only |
Part II compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Plot based | 08/05/2025 | 08/05/2025 | 04/02/2025 | ||
Pulse crop inspectors training and examination |
|||||
Pulse Initial | Part I - Online | 27/02/2025 | 27/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 04/06/2025 | 04/06/2025 | 06/02/2025 | ||
Pulse Lincesed, Licensed Higher & Official Retest | Part I - Online | 27/02/2025 | 27/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 04/06/2025 | 04/06/2025 | 06/02/2025 | ||
Compulsory Re-Attendance. INVITE ONLY | Part I compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Online | 27/02/2025 | 27/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Invite only |
Part II compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Plot based | 04/06/2025 | 04/06/2025 | 06/02/2025 | ||
Fodder and Oilseed training and examination |
|||||
Fodder & Oilseeds Initial | Part I - Online | 23/09/2025 | 23/09/2025 | 02/09/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 08/10/2025 | 08/10/2025 | 02/09/2025 | ||
Fodder & Oilseeds Licensed, Licensed Higher & Official Retest | Part I - Online | 23/09/2025 | 23/09/2025 | 02/09/2025 | Book here |
Part II - Plot based | 08/10/2025 | 08/10/2025 | 02/09/2025 | ||
Compulsory Re-Attendance. INVITE ONLY | Part I compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Online | 23/09/2025 | 23/09/2025 | 02/09/2025 |
Invite only |
Part II compulsory re-attendance for 2024 candidates - Plot based | 08/10/2025 | 08/10/2025 | 02/09/2025 | ||
None crop inspectors courses |
|||||
Seed Certification Administration course | 28/10/2025 | N/A | 07/10/2025 | Book here | |
*Please note all part 2 plot based courses will start in the plot location as given in the pre course email. All retest candidates and compulsory re attendance candidates will be sent an invitation to attend training |
SEED SAMPLING
For further information and to book places email lsscourse [at] niab.com
29th October 2024
Candidate will be sent a programme and log-in for the NIAB training platform to access online course material, this must be viewed before attending the course / exam in the candidate’s own location (Minimum time 7hrs)
5th & 6th Novemberl 2024
NIAB staff will be available online for any questions. Contact lsscourse [at] niab.com or message on the NIAB Training platform.
12th & 13th November 2024
Candidates will need to attend on one of the above dates at NIAB Park Farm, Histon, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9NZ. The day of attendance will include practical demonstration (spearing and riffling) and a question-and-answer session covering areas of the theory presentations, followed by a theory and practical examination in the afternoon.
Cost = £769