OUR PROCESS

Working with Seed Dynamics means working in partnership.

We define our success by your success and follow a proven process that includes extensive research and documentation.

Our research means you’re getting the right treatment. Our documentation keeps you informed.

First step: Suitability Analysis

First, you send us your seeds. Within the first 24 hours of receiving them, we put a sample of your lot into our analysis process.

If you are interested in pelleting, within thirty six hours, we can determine if the raw seed is suitable for conventional pelleting using our Gro-Coat® product. If the seed is suitable, we’ll process it. If the seed is not suitable, we will notify you immediately and get started on contingent plans. (Of course, our hourly estimates exclude weekends and holidays.)

For seed being analyzed for both priming and pelleting, we perform a “priming indicator test” and make a determination within seventy two hours. The priming indicator test helps SDI understand how a particular lot of lettuce seed might stand up to the rigors of priming as well as give an indication of seed lot storage and performance potential. The priming indicator test protocols are trade secret.

If the seed is not deemed suitable for both priming and pelleting we’ll notify you immediately and make contingent plans. In some rare cases seed lots that do not pass the suitability analysis we can determine if analysis protocols designed for sensitive seed might be warranted. If those protocols are warranted an additional seventy two hours will be required to determine the suitability.

We analyze seeds for germination percentage—and a whole lot more. These considerations vary by process but can include variety, uniformity, vigor, seedling health, degree of light sensitivity, sensitivity to heat, planting region, and planting season.

The analysis enables SDI to differentiate and forecast certain potential post processing affects on the seed, as well as inventory and field performance tendencies. A checked box indicates specific characteristics important to proper storage and handling of the processed inventory.

• APPROVED: “Indicates that under generally good and accepted cultural practices and conditions for the area the seed will germinate as expected.”
• APPROVED: Lot may be prone to thermal or post coating dormancy. ” Indicates that the seed may go through a temporary period of dormancy after processing or that without priming, the seed may experience heat dormancy during germination in certain conditions.”
• APPROVED: Carry over inventory not advised. ” Indicates that a particular lot of seed may not store as well as might be expected otherwise and consideration should be given to quick use of it and avoiding carry over inventory.”
• NOT APPROVED: “Indicates this seed, if processed, will most likely perform below expectations even under generally good and accepted cultural practices and conditions.

Second Step: Processing

Generally the turn around time after approval is between 7 to 10 days depending on process, product and quantity.

Then we ship the seed to you and you can get on with your growing scheme.

Storing processed Seed
Non-primed seed stores better than primed seed. Generally, if lettuce seed is marked [ Approved: ] on the lab analysis before processing, processed seed should have acceptable viability for a year or more depending on storage conditions, variety, process, planting area and season.

After Processing: Batchtrak®

We have a unique system referred to as “Batchtrak®” designed to help us keep our customers aware of the condition of primed and processed seed after it has left our plant. In the event that processed seed health deteriorates more rapidly than expected, we will notify you via the SDI STAT® (Seed Track Analysis Test) report.

We take samples from each primed batch of processed seed and store them on SDI premises. We analyze them for emergence potential on a regular basis for up to eight months,  depending on the product and process. If, during the normal life expectancy of the processed seed our seed track analysis test reveals premature deterioration of seed lot health, an assessment can be made as to whether that seed in its entirety or just the individual batch should be recalled.

We mark each packaged unit with its Batchtrak®  number which enables customers to segregate by unit or batch upon notification (STAT® report) by our quality assurance personnel. On the 9th month after processing a final STAT® report is issued with the relevant germination data and a reminder to evaluate the seed lot for emergence potential before each use.

Notifying a customer of premature deterioration is not a very common occurrence. In the rare event that it does happen, more often than not the seed has been planted and grown into crops with no ill effect long before the analysis showed the potential for deterioration.

Other Services: Seed Emergence Potential Analysis (EPA®)

We also provide the service of assessing your inventory samples for you. If your inventory samples are from seed that we have processed, the service is free. We encourage our customers and end users to send us samples as often as it takes to maintain their confidence that the product will meet expectations. It’s important to note that this policy is inclusive of customers of customers (the supply chain) who hold inventory of seed processed by us. There is a nominal fee charged for seed “emergence potential analysis” (EPA®) on seed processed by others.