Loretta Buhler
Senior Seed Analyst/Laboratory Lead, Nutrien Ag Solutions Canada
Carrot River, Sask.
With over 20 years of experience as a seed analyst, Loretta Buhler has witnessed firsthand the importance of uniformity in the field. She began her journey in 1998 with Newfield Seeds and has spent the last two decades at Nutrien, where she currently serves as a senior seed analyst and lab lead.
She works with more than 150 different species and holds multiple credentials, including being an accredited senior seed analyst, a registered seed technologist, a seed import conformity assessor, and a grader. She is also trained in smut testing and fusarium analysis.
One of the key challenges in the industry, according to Buhler, is the lack of standardization in testing methods between countries, particularly between the U.S. and Canada. As someone who holds accreditations in both Canada and south of the border, she knows firsthand how achieving greater uniformity in testing would allow labs to perform consistent analyses, minimizing variables and enhancing the reliability of results.
The need for greater uniformity and collaboration is one reason she’s such a big fan of the work done by the International Seed Morphology Association (ISMA), an initiative spearheaded by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) officials in Saskatoon.
“They’ve really advanced the way we access information. Back when I was training, we relied on books, and some pictures were even hand-drawn. Now, with detailed descriptions and colour references, the tools we have are so much more advanced,” Buhler says.
Recognizing the need for awareness and interest in agriculture, Buhler actively engages with local high school and elementary students to demystify the role of seed analysts. In classrooms, she shares insights about her work, hoping to inspire the next generation to consider careers in agriculture.
Attending recent meetings in the U.S. has reinforced Buhler’s belief in the importance of harmonizing seed regulations across borders. She expresses a keen interest in participating in committees focused on seed regulations and modernization.
By fostering standardization in testing methods and educating future generations, she aims to enhance the integrity of the seed industry and inspire a passion for agriculture in young minds. Together, she believes, we can build a more consistent and knowledgeable community around seed analysis.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on seed testing innovators in Canada. Use the buttons below to explore our feature.
