Clariva^® Elite Beans-treated seed at a reseller location.

Before growers are ready to plant their soybeans each season, their treaters and resellers are working hard to get those seeds treated. Behind the scenes, treaters make sure seeds are coated evenly in active ingredients to ensure soybeans get off to the strongest start possible. However, before applications are even made, Syngenta scientists are researching and developing best practices in seed treatment operations to ensure effective performance and safe application.

Seed World recently held a Strategy Webinar on best practices for seed treatment operations, where Syngenta experts shared recommendations for further improving safety and stewardship for treaters.

Some of the key safety tips for treaters from the webinar include:

• Read the label. The Syngenta Seedcare Institute^™ is devoted to conducting extensive research to develop what ingredients go into each seed treatment and to direct the application process. Product labels should be reviewed to ensure that the appropriate protective equipment is being used, and that products are being applied correctly for safety and maximum efficacy.
• Don’t use compressed air to clean treating equipment. Doing so can lead to visible dust in the facility, increasing the risk of exposure to the seed treatment through the air or on the skin.
• Use proper gloves and safety equipment when handling seed treatments. Syngenta in-field studies have shown that people often don’t use gloves or don’t use the right kind of gloves when handling treating equipment. Instead of thin latex or cloth gloves, treaters should use chemical-resistant gloves that are more than 14 mm thick.

One of the key focuses at the Seedcare Institute is stewardship and taking care of seed treaters and their operations. Researchers are studying seed treatment recipes and establishing optimum application recommendations, like the ones above, to minimize operator exposure and ensure growers are getting all of the active ingredients they paid for on the seed.

By paying attention to stewardship and studying every step that goes into seed treatment operations, scientists at the Seedcare Institute can improve seed treatment quality and reduce operator exposure in seed treatment facilities and at planting. With improved stewardship, everyone benefits.

Talk to your local Syngenta sales representative or visit the Syngenta seed treatment page to learn more about our efforts toward seed treatment stewardship and its impact for both treaters and growers.

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