Seed Conditioning

Conditioning

Wimberly Farms’ customers are only satisfied with the highest seed quality standards. Cleaning our seed lots is an important first step after reception of the seed. All undesired parts, such as plant parts, soil parts, dust and weeds are removed. The next step is to enhance our seed emergence through quality conditioning and seed sizing. Many different separation techniques are used to link physical and physiological seed parameters to seed quality.

Enhancement

Wimberly Farms’ customers are professionals that require high quality seed forms. Pre-germinated seed ('primed'), disinfected seed ('disease free') and encrusted or pelleted seed ('increased size or fully incapsulated') are standard seed forms in our product portfolio.

• Primed seed will germ faster and more uniform. Under stressful conditions such as heat, cold or drought, priming gives the seedling an improved start increasing rapid germination and emergence leading to stronger seedling vigor and therefore enhanced yield potentials.
• Healthy seed is the basis for healthy crops. To eradicate pests and diseases on seeds, we have developed techniques to disinfect the seeds. Even though it is not possible to 100% guarantee disease-free seed, Wimberly Farms has very sophisticated proprietary processes to control and prevent these seed-borne diseases.
• Encrusted or pelleted seed is used for better sowing. In the pelleting process, individual seeds are capsulated by applying solid materials and binders to the seed, to compensate for differences in size, shape and weight. Offering physical uniformity leads to higher precision in mechanical sowing. Nutrients and plant protection products can be included in the pellet to give the germinating seed and seedling a good and healthy start.

Treatment

Wimberly Farms' customers want to have fast emergence and healthy seedling development. Therefore we use high-value film coating technologies to apply the crop protection products in-house. In the film coating process, a polymer with various components is used to apply active ingredients to the seed in single or multi layers. The active ingredients used for the coating are fungicides and/ or insecticides in combination with color agents. Wimberly Farms' film coating process prevents flaking and dusting that can cause problems to the environment or during sowing. The added coloring indicates that the seed was treated and colored seeds are easier to identify in the soil. These treatments can offer young plants protection against pests and diseases.

Packing and Shipping

After seed conditioning, the packing and shipping process involves rigorous quality control checks to confirm adherence to germination standards. Suitable packaging materials, such as moisture-proof bags or vacuum-sealed pouches, are selected to protect seeds from environmental factors. Each package is clearly labeled with essential details for traceability, and necessary documentation, including certificates of analysis, is prepared. The seeds are securely sealed in designated packaging, stored in optimal conditions, and transportation logistics are planned. A tracking system monitors the shipment's progress, and all required shipping documentation, including customs compliance, is completed. Upon delivery, confirmation is obtained to ensure the seeds meet expectations. This comprehensive process aims to preserve seed quality and viability during transit, with variations based on seed type, destination, and applicable regulations.