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