By Andi Anderson
The National Seed Health System (NSHS) is marking an important milestone in agricultural biosecurity with the launch of a redesigned Seed Health Dashboard (Seed HD) and an upgraded website.
The improvements come as the NSHS prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in August 2026, highlighting its long-standing role in supporting seed health and protecting U.S. agriculture.
Developed through the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, the updated platforms provide seed industry stakeholders with improved functionality, easier navigation, enhanced compatibility, and a more user-friendly experience. These upgrades are designed to strengthen seed health monitoring and support the movement of healthy seed both within the United States and internationally.
The Seed Health Dashboard serves as a voluntary tool that allows the seed industry to monitor cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) in imported seed through seed health testing. CGMMV is a highly contagious disease that can affect important cucurbit crops, including cucumbers, melons, and watermelons. Monitoring imported seed helps reduce the risk of introducing harmful seedborne diseases into U.S. crop production systems.
The program began in 2016 as the National Seed Health Accreditation Pilot Program (NSHAPP), a partnership between the seed industry and USDA-APHIS. The initiative was established to create a voluntary screening system for imported seed and to strengthen phytosanitary protection measures. Following its success, the program became permanent in 2022 and was renamed Seed HD. The platform was also designed to support the monitoring of additional pathogens in the future.
Kelly Iverson, Program Coordinator for the National Seed Health System’s Administration Unit, emphasized the importance of the upgrade. She said, "The relaunch of Seed HD ensures that our industry continues to have a reliable, user-friendly platform for participating in this important voluntary program. While the previous website had reached the end of its functional life, this new platform provides a strong foundation for future growth as we continue to enhance seed health monitoring and add additional pathogens over time."
The redevelopment project was completed through collaboration between the Iowa State University Seed Science Center and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Information Technology Web Team. Development began in April 2026, resulting in a modern platform that better serves the evolving needs of the seed industry.
Dr. Scott Heuchelin, Director of the National Seed Health System’s Administration Unit and Director of the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, highlighted the significance of the launch. He said, "As we celebrate 25 years of the National Seed Health System, the launch of the new Seed Health Dashboard and NSHS website reflects our continued commitment to protecting U.S. agriculture through science, collaboration, and innovation. The strength of the NSHS has always been its partnership with industry and government. Seed HD is another example of how those partnerships help safeguard seed movement while supporting global trade and maintaining confidence in the health of imported seed."
Since its establishment in 2001, the NSHS has supported safe seed movement through accredited testing, inspections, sampling programs, and standardized procedures. The upgraded Seed Health Dashboard continues this mission by helping monitor seed health risks, strengthen agricultural biosecurity, and support the production of healthy crops for the future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Iowa, Sustainable Agriculture