Buying first and cutting seed later are one of the earliest tasks in the potato production plan. The seed size profile gives our clients the information necessary to: communicate within seed and commercial growers BEFORE the seed is shipped to the commercial farm and make sure the size profile is in the desired range. It provides the seed growers the information they need to inform their clients what seed size they have for sell in storage per variety. It helps all growers (seed and commercial) to adjust their cutters to their seed size goal at planting time. The service includes:
- Samples of seed pieces are taken during seed cutting. Seed pieces are individually weighted and a seed size distribution is obtained. Calibration of seed cutters are recommended on-site based on this information. Seed rate per acre based on average final seed size and planting spacing per variety is also included.
- For seed storage evaluation, samples of whole tubers are taken during harvest at their final destination site or in storage before shipping. Tubers are individually weighted and a tuber size profile distribution is obtained.