Section 115.461. Mixing procedures for certified turfgrass

(a) Before mixing, the conditioner shall ensure that:

(1) Mixing equipment, pallets, scales and floor area adjacent to and around the mixing area are clean and free from seed and foreign material.

(2) Sufficient quantities of new containers are marked with the name of the mixture.

(3) Sufficient quantities of properly completed analysis tags are prepared.

(4) Analysis test reports for purity, germination and sod quality, if applicable, from the State-of-origin shall be supplied for the Department’s records for each lot of each component used in the mixture.

(5) A mixing report shall be completed for the Department with the following information:

(i) The business name, address and phone number of the conditioner.

(ii) The lot number, State-of-origin and percentage of each component used.

(iii) The name, lot number and date of the mixture.

(iv) The weight of each package of the mixture and the total number of packages in the mixture.

(v) The starting and ending numbers of the certification labels used and the total number of certification labels issued.

(vi) A copy of the analysis label either printed on or attached to the report.

(vii) The signature of the designated representative of the conditioner and the signature of the Department’s representative at the completion of the mixing and packaging process.

(6) Each component used is assembled in close proximity to the mixing area.

(7) Each container of each component is clean and sealed, with a certification tag attached.

(8) Damaged containers are not accepted.

(9) Sufficient personnel are available to complete the mixing process.

(b) Before mixing, a Department representative will do the following:

(1) Inspect the equipment for cleanliness.

(2) Inspect the mixing area for cleanliness.

(3) Inspect the new containers provided for the mixture to ensure that they are appropriate.

(4) Inspect the analysis tags for completeness and accuracy.

(5) Inspect each component to ensure that the correct lots are present in the proper amounts, and that all containers of seed to be used in certified mixtures bear a certification tag.

(c) A Department representative shall be present during the mixing process and supervise the loading and bagging of the mixed lot after the components have been thoroughly mixed for the appropriate length of time.

(d) A Department representative will have the sole responsibility to:

(1) Draw an official sample of the completed mixture.

(2) Determine whether the mixer should be cleaned before the next seed mixture is made.