SEED PROCESSING |seed sizer|seed sizer|corn sizer|bean sizer The Seed Processing feed rate control is located on the feeder and governs the amount fed onto the separating deck. Whether standard Oliver feeders are used or another type is employed, a means of controlling the feed is essential. The feed rate (fast or slow) should be uniform and free of surges. Surges in the incoming feed will show up in the discharge of the machine as a poor quality separation in Seed Processing. Generally, the average feed rate is determined by the average capacity of the processing line of equipment. For optimum separation on your Gravity Separator, the seed rate should be as low as possible without falling below the minimum feed rate at which the deck can be kept completely covered. Maximum feed rate is the maximum rate at which the deck can be fed and still obtain the necessary separation. When starting your Gravity Separator, always start at the minimum feed rate. Obtain the required separation, and then increase the Seed Processing feed rate to the desired capacity.These companies are specialists in seed processing operations. Our cooperative efforts with these companies result in a very wide range of applications, equipment and products for vegetable, nursery, forestry and flower seed production. Data collected includes percent plant cover, productivity, survivorship,invertebrate species richness and abundance, and reptile species richness and abundance. Additional data are collected to examine winter raptor use and the presence of other wildlife species. Tissue samples are taken and analyzed to estimate the potential amount of bioaccumulation of contaminants, notably selenium, throughout the site. This contaminant level will be used to determine if further investigation is necessary to evaluate the effects of land restoration on the abundance, diversity and health of wildlife using the restored habitat. Five year of results clearly show that retiring land from irrigated agriculture has physical and biological benefits. Additionally, the LRDP results are applicable to the majority of San Joaquin Valley acres having similar characteristics. The concept of a declining shallow groundwater table in response to land retirement is supported by the results that found a 1 to 2 foot decline per year. This result is important as the shallow groundwater beneath the project sites consists of highly saline water with high concentrations of selenium and boron. The decline insures that any wildlife contact is highly unlikely. Soils were found to consist primarily of poorly drained clays and loams with elevated levels of salt, selenium and boron when compared to other soils in the San Joaquin Valley. A 1.5 acre grow-out area for native grass seed was established under contract. An existing 10 acre wetland for breeding season waterfowl and shorebirds and an existing 20 acres of wetland for wintering waterfowl were managed. 2 acres of native forb seed around the edge of the pond and 2 acres of perennial grass seed along ditch banks were planted. Sites are currently being monitored by BLM to determine the long-term success of these plantings. The prolonged rainy season in 2005 produced the most prominent floral displays of annual species observed to date. At Tranquillity, ESRP continued to maintain a four acre native plant nursery. Seed was harvested from 64 native plant species in summer and fall 2004. After the harvest, the planting beds for annual species were reformed and replanted with 100 native species. High rainfall required extensive weeding in the nursery during the 2005 growing season. An additional 8 species were grown using mechanized production and harvesting methods. The seed collecting, cleaning and storage activities performed by ESRP during FY 2005 were done on 46 native plant species collected from 17 off-site locations. The seed cleaning processing facility was upgraded with an approved dust collection system and desktop seed cleaner. The seed inventory was increased by 1550 pounds representing over 100 species. ESRP planted 50 acres with native plants in association with various research trials and one acre as a restoration demonstration area. |
