Seed treatment without chemicals

Biologic and thermal treatment protects the seeds. Lantmännen has invested in research and development of alternative treatment methods of seeds for many years.

As an alternative to chemical treatment, seeds can be treated biologically or thermally for increased pest resistance. A biological treatment uses natural microorganisms (our methods are called Cedomon and Cerall), a thermal treatment uses heat (our method ThermoSeed).

Why is crop protection necessary?

The seeds used by our farmers need to be protected from attacks from bacteria or fungal diseases that make cultivation less efficient in various ways. Poorer seed quality results in poorer harvests and infestation leads to poorer stock efficiency when infested feed must be disposed. Attacks on the seeds have both economic and environmental effects, as the use of resources such as transports and fertilization remain the same even if harvests decrease.

The seeds are therefore treated using various methods to prevent infestation during warehousing. This is called crop protection treatment. Traditionally, various types of chemical pesticides have been used. 

Our methods

  • Thermal crop protection: ThermoSeed is a method where we use warm and moist air in seed treatment instead of chemicals.
  • Biologic crop protection: Cedomon and Cerall are two methods that use micro-organisms as a basis for fighting seed-borne diseases. Cedomon and Cerall have also been certified for use in organic farming by the EU and KRAV.

With ThermoSeed, Cedomon and Cerall we offer farmers an opportunity to buy seeds that have not been chemically treated. In this way we can reduce the use of chemicals in farming.

The volume and share of ThermoSeed-treated seeds have increased in the last years due to an increase in production capacity. Since autumn of 2014, Lantmännen now have two ThermoSeed-facilities, one in Skara and one in Eslöv. 

59 percent of our seeds were biologically or thermally treated, or untreated, in 2017. Our goal is to continue developing non-chemical methods for crop protection treatment, with the aim of reducing the use of chemicals.