Retail point seed treatment systems and methods

Abstract

An automated seed treatment system is adapted for on-site operation at a retail seed distributor. A sealed seed-treater vessel is configured to apply a plurality of chemical treatments to a batch of seed based on a seed treatment recipe. A programmable system controller is electrically coupled to a pump controller of each of a plurality of pump-stations. The programmable system controller is configured to receive a material transfer indication from each of the plurality of pump-stations and issue commands to the pump controller of each pump-station in response to the seed treatment recipe. The programmable system controller is configured to collect operational data representing at least consumption of chemical from the chemical container at each of the pump-stations based on the corresponding material transfer indication during seed treatment and to provide the operational data to a remotely hosted information system located remotely from the site of the retail seed distributor and accessible to at least one third party that is distinct from the retail seed distributor.

1 . A method of treating seeds, the method comprising:
 mixing a plurality of seed treatment components at a point of application according to a seed treatment recipe via a seed treatment system, wherein said seed treatment system comprises:   (1) a seed-treater vessel configured to apply the plurality of seed treatment components to a batch of seeds based on the seed treatment recipe;   (2) a plurality of pump-stations, wherein each pump station is configured to receive a keg, and each pump-station comprising a pump, a flow channel fluidly coupled to the seed-treater vessel, and a station controller configured to control the pump;   (3) a plurality of kegs, each keg comprising a seed treatment component;   applying the mixture of seed treatment components to an unknown quantity of seeds;   determining the weight and density of each of the plurality of seed treatment components applied to the unknown quantity of seeds;   calculating a consumed volume for each of the plurality of seed treatment components applied to the unknown quantity of seeds upon completion of application of the mixture of seed treatment components; and   monitoring the consumption of each of the plurality of seed treatment components.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 reporting the consumed volume of each of the plurality of seed treatment components to a computer database, the computer database being stored in a tangible computer readable medium.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 calculating a volume of one or more seed treatment components necessary to treat the unknown quantity of seeds.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring an environmental condition at a seed treatment site; and   adjusting a rate of application of the mixture of seed treatment components in response to the environmental condition.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring a moisture content of the unknown quantity of seeds prior to treatment with the mixture of seed treatment components; and   adjusting a rate of application of the mixture of seed treatment components in response to the measured moisture content in the unknown quantity of seeds.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring a moisture content of the unknown quantity of seeds after the quantity of seed is treated with the mixture of seed treatment components; and   adjusting a rate of application of the mixture of seed treatment components in response to the measured moisture content in the unknown quantity of seeds.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring a moisture content of the unknown quantity of seeds prior to treatment with the mixture of seed treatment components; and   injecting water from an external source into the mixture of seed treatment components in response to the moisture content in the unknown quantity of seeds.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting a treatment rate to accommodate a variance in performance of treatment apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 notifying a station controller of movement that causes a scale to provide an inaccurate reading.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collecting operational data representing at least consumption of each of the plurality of seed treatment components,   providing the operational data to a remotely hosted information system located remotely from the retail seed distribution site, and   receiving a re-supply of seed treatment components from a third party sent in response to the providing of the operational data to the remotely hosted information system.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the operational data includes information representing a pump performance. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the operational data includes material consumption information representing a quantity of treated seed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving the seed treatment recipe from the remotely hosted information system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the remotely hosted information system, constraint information containing limits on chemical formulations; and   applying the constraint information to limit whether certain recipes can be run.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the environmental condition comprises ambient temperature. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the environmental condition comprises atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the environmental condition comprises relative humidity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said seed treatment system further comprises:
 (4) a programmable system controller configured to receive a transfer indication from each station controller of the plurality of pump stations.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each one of the station controllers of the plurality of pump stations is programmed to send the transfer indication to the programmable system controller and to receive control commands from the programmable system controller. 
     
     
         20 . A system for automatically treating seed at a first retail seed distribution center, the system comprising:
 (A) a seed treatment vessel configured to apply a one or more seed treatment components controllably delivered from individually-maintained storage containers to a batch of seed based on a seed treatment recipe;   (B) a system controller configured to:
 (i) control the delivery of the one or more seed treatment components to the seed treatment vessel; 
 (ii) collect operational data representing at least consumption of seed treatment components maintained in the storage containers; and 
 (iii) provide the operational data to a remotely hosted information system located remotely from the retail seed distribution center and communicatively coupled to the first retail seed distribution center and to a plurality of other retail seed distribution centers geographically distinct from the first retail seed distribution center; 
   
       wherein the first retail seed distribution center receives a re-supply of seed treatment components from a third party supplier that is distinct from the first retail seed distribution center in response to provision of the operational data to the remotely hosted information system.