Tip #1- Start with clean grain
Weed seeds, dirt, hulls, and cracked seed have the potential to build up with the seed treatment causing clumps and equipment blockages. These particles also steal treatment from the crop, decreasing efficacy. Beginning with clean seed gives you the best start for success.
Weed seeds, dirt, hulls, and cracked seed have the potential to build up with the seed treatment causing clumps and equipment blockages. These particles also steal treatment from the crop, decreasing efficacy. Beginning with clean seed gives you the best start for success.
Tip #2 – Warm up seed prior to treatment
Treatments are less likely to adhere to cold seed and can lead to uneven coating. If the seed is stored below freezing, try to bring the grain temperature up prior to treatment.
Helpful trick – use a fan to increase the seed temperature a few days prior to treating.
Treatments are less likely to adhere to cold seed and can lead to uneven coating. If the seed is stored below freezing, try to bring the grain temperature up prior to treatment.
Helpful trick – use a fan to increase the seed temperature a few days prior to treating.
Tip #3 – Agitate product!
It doesn’t matter which brand of seed treatment you’re using; all products have the potential to settle out. Best practice is to always agitate prior to using to ensure even flow and application.
It doesn’t matter which brand of seed treatment you’re using; all products have the potential to settle out. Best practice is to always agitate prior to using to ensure even flow and application.
Tip #4 – Run the grain before applying seed treatment
Starting to apply the seed treatment prior to running the grain through can cause a building of product and clumps of wet seed. Similar to having clumps of dirt and hulls, these clumps can cause issues and blockages within the equipment.
Starting to apply the seed treatment prior to running the grain through can cause a building of product and clumps of wet seed. Similar to having clumps of dirt and hulls, these clumps can cause issues and blockages within the equipment.
Tip #5 – Don’t go too fast and don’t go too slow
Seed to seed contact is how the majority of treaters create coverage. If you run your auger too fast, the grain will not have enough time to thoroughly mix. Run the auger too slow, and there’s not enough grain to create that coverage contact.
Helpful trick – Aim for the ½ to 2/3 fill rate
Seed to seed contact is how the majority of treaters create coverage. If you run your auger too fast, the grain will not have enough time to thoroughly mix. Run the auger too slow, and there’s not enough grain to create that coverage contact.
Helpful trick – Aim for the ½ to 2/3 fill rate
Tip #6 – Adjust product flow throughout the day
During spring, you’ll typically have cooler mornings where the seed treatment will flow slower. At this point it will need more pressure to go through the applicator. As the day progresses and the temperatures warms up, the seed treatment will thin and you’ll need to check that you’re not overapplying product.
Helpful trick- if there’s uniform coverage on the seed, you’re on the right track!
During spring, you’ll typically have cooler mornings where the seed treatment will flow slower. At this point it will need more pressure to go through the applicator. As the day progresses and the temperatures warms up, the seed treatment will thin and you’ll need to check that you’re not overapplying product.
Helpful trick- if there’s uniform coverage on the seed, you’re on the right track!
 Ideal seed treatment coverage on durum. This grain was custom seed treated by Horizon Fertilizers. |  Ideal seed treatment coverage on barley. This grain was custom seed treated by Horizon Fertilizers. |
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