Seed Processing
Seed Processing
Once we receive a batch of seed from one of our productions it will need to be processed before it can be sold.
Cleaning
An incoming seed crop will usually contain seed from unwanted species plus perhaps bits of stick or even more exotic contaminants! It is the job of our skilled seed processors to clean these crops, removing as much of the unwanted items as possible. A variety of different machines may be used to ensure that this process is completed as thoroughly as possible.
Processing
Once clean, the seed may also need to be graded to ensure that a grower will receive seed of a uniform size, this helps in the process of drilling the seed. For some crops for example beet, other processes may be required such as rubbing; to ensure that the shape of the individual seeds is correct, or pelleting whereby a clay based solution covers each seed, converting it from irregular to a smooth round shape.
Treatment
After cleaning some seeds may be treated to protect them against pests and diseases. We consider seed treatment to be a very important and environmentally friendly way of applying crop protection chemicals, you can find out more about this process here. Some seeds may be carrying spores of disease on their seed coats; to remove these we may also wash some seed batches.