The certifying agency conducts field inspections as follows:

(1) A seedling field is inspected at the most appropriate time after receipt of seedling application. If the field produces seed the same year of planting, a seedling producing inspection is made prior to harvest.

(2) Each year a crop of certified seed is produced, field inspections are made at a time when factors affecting certification are most evident.

(3) The unit of certification is defined as the entire field standing at the time of inspection. A portion of a field may be certified if the area to be certified is clearly defined by flagging, stakes or other visual means. The border area of the field is considered the unit of certification if it is planted to the same crop and is inclusive of the acreage applied for.

(4) The unit of inspection may include areas adjacent to a field or areas of surveillance if these areas contain factors that would impact the certification eligibility of the seed crop as defined in the specific crop standards. Such factors may be, but are not limited to, contaminating pollen sources, weeds, jointed goatgrass, jointed goatgrass hybrids or other crop.