Planting Accuracy Guidelines for Corn

Apr 24, 2023


Successful seed flow and singulation

Best practices to improve seed flow and singulation.

Several factors, such as air and seed temperature, relative humidity, seed treatment recipe, as well as seed size and shape impact seed flow and plantability.

Excellent planting accuracy and plant stand establishment can be achieved with all seed sizes and shapes, regardless of seed treatment recipe and environmental conditions, through careful planter aid usage and planter adjustments.

This guide highlights environmental conditions that result in challenging planting conditions, as well as best practices to optimize planting accuracy.

The challenge: Spring weather is unpredictable
Warming spring temperatures signal the beginning of the crop planting season. However, weather in spring is unpredictable with cold, dry conditions often followed closely by warm, humid conditions. Rapid fluctuations in weather can create condensation on the seed, causing poor seed flow, increased seed bridging and reduced planter accuracy.

For example, when seed is stored at 50°F, condensation can start to occur as soon as the seed is moved into warmer, more humid conditions common during the Spring planting season. When condensation accumulates on seed, planting accuracy can be impacted if not managed properly.

The opportunity: Be prepared for Spring weather

  • Planter aids: diligently and thoroughly apply planter aids as recommended by your planter manufacturer. Data has shown that priming the planter unit with graphite or a talc/graphite blend, as well as mixing the planter aid properly with the seed, can greatly improve seed flow and singulation.
    • TALC: a naturally occurring mineral that acts as a drying agent, while reducing static electricity.
    • GRAPHITE: a crystalline carbon lubricant that helps reduce equipment wear, improves seed flow and reduces static electricity. Not a drying agent.
    • FLUENCY AGENT: a polyethylene wax-based lubricant used to aid seed flow. Not a drying agent.
  • Contact your local ag retailer or Brevant® seeds retail product agronomist for precise recommendations on planter settings, and access batch-specific information for individual planters. Adjust settings to planting conditions following manufacturer instructions.
  • Environment: slowly increase seed storage temperature and provide increased air flow to minimize seed condensation. When using boxes or large pallets of seed bags, warming the seed should be done over numerous days (ideally, 1-2 weeks) if feasible.

Contact your local Premier agronomist for more information and precise planter recommendations

 

Ken Jahnke

Sales Manager
 

 

Recent Posts

Oct 31, 2025
By the time this update reaches you, we will have wrapped up the first month of our new fiscal year and will be under way with our external financial audit for the year completed on September 30. While unofficial, I can safely report that 2025 will be a solid year with slight increase in total sales and strong bottom line performance. I look forward to sharing the results and more with you next month.
Oct 29, 2025
We’re excited to announce that construction is now complete on the Mineral Point feed mill expansion, marking a major milestone for Premier Cooperative and the communities we serve. This project brings significant upgrades to our manufacturing speed, capacity, and efficiency, ensuring we’re ready to meet your needs today and well into the future.
Oct 29, 2025
A successful spring starts long before the first seeds hit the soil. The foundation for healthy crops and high yields begins now with smart soil sampling and strategic fall fertilizer applications. These practices provide the data and nutrients your fields need to thrive, ensuring balanced fertility, improved soil health, and a head start on next season’s growth.