Opportunity for corn and soybean seed producers
Jerusalem, Israel
August 29, 2012
Planting equipment has become more sophisticated and precise in recent years, with farmers becoming more focused on seed count rather than weight in order to control plant population in their fields. Responding to that need, seeds are increasingly sold and labeled by count. In most instances, even when sold by weight, seed count is provided on the package.
Differing weather conditions, storage conditions and genetics result in a disparity in the size and weight of seeds grown not only in the same production field, but also on the same plant. The impact of these factors is particularly pronounced for corn and soybeans. For example, corn kernels can range from round to flat and can have different sizes and shapes depending on their location on an ear of corn.
In an attempt to deal with disparity in size and weight of seeds, complex procedures were developed to sample, count, extrapolate and determine the number of seeds per package. Maximum allowable variation was set, acknowledging that the determined seed count is likely to differ from the count claimed by the label.
Multiple counts of small samples are a natural result of counting speed limitations imposed by old school counting machines. This technological barrier has been removed with the introduction of DATA’s innovative bulk counting technology. DATA’s seed counting machines are capable of counting, for example, 1000 corn seeds in just 25 seconds with nearly 100% accuracy, and can be used to enlarge the number of counted seeds by 10 times and more without compromising on speed. They reduce the sampling error risks and furthermore, reduce the risk for human error inherited in the practice of multiple counts of small samples and extrapolations.
The use of DATA counting machines result, among others, with more accurate, reliable and representative Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) figure than ever before. Relying on such TGW to calibrate weigh-filling machines will result with smaller variation from the target seed count. Such smaller variation would allow companies to reduce the overfilled seed amount while still surpassing the stated label count. Such overfilled seed saving represent significant value to companies at any time, but especially at time of high market demand where saved seed could be sold at market price, with practically zero cost of goods, representing significant upside to both sales and profits.
With worst drought in more than 50 years hitting the U.S. grain belt after drought resulted in a drop in output of Brazil's 2011/2012 soybean crop, producers may lack sufficient seeds to meet increasing demand in the coming planting season. At this time, reducing the overfilled number of seeds would immediately translate to sales and profits. DATA Count S-60 presents an exceptional ROI opportunity to corn and soybean seed companies, an opportunity that must not be overlooked.
More news from: DATA Technologies Ltd.
Website: http://www.seedquest.com/yellowpages/middleeast/israel/d/datatechnologies/default.htm Published: August 29, 2012 |
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