Elberta Farmer’s Co-op is home to an unusual machine that is extremely helpful for farmers: a Bayer Seed Treater. This is the only Bayer treater in Baldwin County and there are only three in the state.

“We treat different types of seeds for farmers, like soybeans, oats and wheat,” explained Tracy Clark, warehouse manager of Elberta Farmer’s Co-op. “What this machine does is it puts the coating on the seed and it adds different chemicals depending on what the farmers want: different chemicals, fertilizers or inoculants.”

The co-op sells untreated seed and the farmers can get it treated in the back of the co-op.

The untreated seeds start out in a box at one end of the machine and it’s carried in an elevator to a square pipe where it is mixed with the different chemicals. The seeds are then sent to a rotating hopper that dries the seeds and sends the seeds up another elevator to deposit into a bag, seed tender or whatever the farmer chooses. All of the chemicals come into the machine at a calculated rate.

“Back when seed treatments first started, you just dumped seeds in and pour a bunch of chemicals in something, it turned them around and you’d dry the seeds out.” Clark said. “The process essentially hasn’t changed, but this is a much more calculated, automated way to do it; extremely precise.”

Clark also explains the computer system on the seed treater can be set for different rates of chemicals.

“If a farmer wants a stronger rate of an insecticide, we can do that to a certain extent as long as we follow the chemical labeling,” she said.

Seed treating has come a long way since the beginning. It’s completely automated so the users of the seed treater don’t come in contact with the chemicals.

The only part of the chemicals the employee has to touch are the kegs with the chemicals in them.

“The computer tells the seed how fast to flow and the chemicals go in with a precise amount,” Clark said.

It’s completely customized to whatever the farmer wants.

The computer also stores chemical batches that farmers have used in the past, making it easier for the farmer and the machine operator. Farmers can come back year after year and can get the same batch that has been stored on the computer.

“We also have batches stored that a typical farmer may use, so if we have a farmer that comes in and doesn’t know what they want, I can tell them what other farmers have used,” Clark said.

So how long does a batch of seed sorting take?

“The biggest amount of time is the prep work and clean up,” Clark said. “It takes about an hour to set everything up. It takes about five to eight minutes for the process in the seed treater to run all the way through.”

This particular machine can run 800 pounds of soybeans per minute.

“It’s constantly moving seeds out as it’s bringing them in,” said Mark Hutcherson, who is the newest member of the co-op and is in charge of outside sales. “Soybeans are usually going to be your fastest as far as treating; the seed is almost a perfect circle, so they move very quick through the machine.”

The seed treater computer system is so advanced and precise, it will not allow the user to select a chemical and a rate that is over or under the specific label.

“I have to follow the labels — it’s against the law not to for obvious reasons: damage to your health or the environment,” Clark said. “If I enter a rate that is over or under the label, the machine will not let it be added to the batch. I have to add the chemicals within the premises of the label specifications.”

You also can’t just add any chemical to the machine, either.

“If we want to add a new chemical, we’d have to ask one of the chemists at Bayer to actually try to add it,” Clark explained. “You can’t just add any old chemical you’ve got at home and start pumping it into seed.”

The customers at Elberta Farmer’s Co-op like to buy local; they know where their products have been.

“The customers have a confidence when they’re buying their supplies, and that’s a great thing to have,” Clark said. “It gives them a peace of mind that they’re supporting the community — something you want to have developing constantly. You’re investing in businesses around us and that’s a great thing, especially in our local agriculture. It’s one of the best things you can do. Not only are these farmers making food for the produce stand out on Highway 59, but they’re making food in a global sense. Supporting agriculture is supporting global agriculture.”

For Clark, her favorite part about working at the co-op is working with the farmers.

“I find that the same farmers come in twice, three times and sometimes five times a week,” she said. “It’s nice and it feels like we have a friendship even though they’re our customer. I understand their business and I’m glad I’m able to help them. If a farmer is in a hurry or feeling down about the weather, I try and cheer them up. I might not be successful, but I’m trying to do my part.”

Hutcherson’s favorite part about working at Elberta Farmer’s Co-op is simple.

“There’s a fulfillment in helping,” he said. “Farmers are the ones providing food for the world, for America; I love helping them out, helping them do their job.”