Seed Processing

SUGAR BEET SEED PROCESSING

Pre-cleaning
The "raw" or "as-grown" seeds are brought to the processing factory from the middle of August onwards by arrangement with the Company's local seed production teams, having first been dried on-farm. Deliveries of seed are organised according to their genetic composition, to save major re-cleaning of machinery and elevators. Pre-cleaning consists of an initial size calibration using screens with round holes. During this operation, approximately 20% of impurities are eliminated (seeds that are too small or too large, weed seeds, sticks, etc.) and a sample is automatically taken throughout the pre-cleaning of the lot for quality analysis. This sample is used as a basis for the quality payment for the grower lot, to gauge the settings to remove the last impurities and empty seeds and for tests in the greenhouse and in Argentina as a control to detect possible accidental hybridisations.

Cleaning
Before beginning the full process of cleaning the seeds we prefer to split each grower's seed lot into 3 size grades. This more precise calibration helps us when we run the seed through the more delicate processes involving gravity separators and polishing machines. The cleaning process consists of passing the seeds through cylinder separators and over belt graders to remove sticks and foreign seeds, then onto gravity separators to eliminate the empty seeds or those with poor embryos. Once again samples are constantly taken for quality analysis.

Processing
This is a delicate operation. Each of the cleaned fractions will pass through the polishing, calibration and gravity separator stages in several steps, with the type of polishing machine and the degree and number of polishings required being chosen according to the size of the seeds at the start of the polishing stage. The polishing machines are adjusted constantly throughout the process and at every step samples of seed are taken and analysed in the laboratory for 1000 seed weight, traditional germination at 4 and 7 days, germination under stress, true seed weight, processing index, monogermity, etc. During the final calibration of the processed seeds a range of both round hole and slotted screens are employed, the latter being used to eliminate bi-germ seeds. The final seed will then be ready for pelleting.

Pelleting and Coating
The pelleting process consists of giving naked seeds an improved sphericity by applying an inert material which will not harm germination and which has, depending on the ingredients used and the requirements of the market, either absorbent or hydrophobic characteristics. Pelleting, as well as facilitating sowing by allowing the use of precision drills, also makes it possible to incorporate fungicides and insecticides in the optimal position relative to the seed to protect the seedling. The coating operation consists of the application around the pellets of a film of binders, which can also incorporate further fungicides, insecticides and colour. For the most delicate products these are applied in multiple layers.

Packing
Sugar beet seeds are packed in units of 100 000 seeds. Four units are placed in an outer box before being palletised. An outer box of 4 units is sufficient to sow between 3 and 4 hectares. An official label, approved by the Official Control Service, is affixed on each and every unit. On this label will be the name of the variety, the seed lot reference number, the seed size, the fungicides and insecticides applied, the date of final sampling and, as appropriate, any other information, according to the destination country. The seed lot reference number is extremely important, because it is this that enables us to achieve full traceability - from the finished product right back to the "parent" seeds before multiplication The entire seed production process is constantly monitored with quality analysis to ensure that all the demands of beet growers and sugar industry are matched.Our aim is to delight our customers by supplying them with a true quality product.

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Seed Processing