An expression regarding that period of time a seed lot retains suitable commercial performance qualities.

All seed, processed or not, ages. When performance qualities of seed deteriorates in storage, that seed is often said to be ageing or have aged. Processed seed will have a shorter shelf life when compared to the same seed in it’s unprocessed state.

Planting seed that has aged prematurely can result in seed performance not meeting with expectations. See Accelerated aging.