PROCESSING

Many factors make Johnston & Jeff seed special.
Selection of raw materials at source (ie: the country of origin) is important, & just the beginning of a painstaking process to ensure you get the best possible product at the best possible price.
If you care, we care.

SOURCING:
Seed can be bought cheaply, but the difference in quality between a cheap parcel of unknown origin, & one supplied by a known grower whether from Australia, New Zealand or the UK, can be quite considerable.
Parcels which have already been rejected by the Port Health Authority can either be cleaned of surface mould & re-sold, or contain high levels of the poison aflotoxin.
These parcels are often passed down into the seed trade where they are hidden by blending and distribution.

At Johnston & Jeff we only buy on sample from approved seed suppliers, & in the majority of cases know the grower in the country of origin. This stringent procedure for purchasing raw materials also means that the seed we buy is often 'live' & therefore has a good germination rate. Using results from the Independent Seed Testing Service (ISTS), we know that our average germination test shows a value of 87% and that our average purity for the year is running at 99.8% after going through our seed cleaning process. Managing Director Richard Johnston, inspecting a field of canaryseed

CLEANING:
Once the seed has been supplied and the shipment safely delivered to our door, Johnston & Jeff further continue to increase the purity standards using processing machinery in our warehouses.
Our seed cleaning process is unique, with individual parcels of seeds being screened and graded before being mixed. This enables us to fine-tune the machinery according to seed size, shape and density.
Many other manufacturers clean after blending, so can only use screens specific to the smallest seed in the mix to reduce loss of product. This leads to improper grading and poor cleaning which can cause an imbalance the mix.

Bulk seed being discharged at our plant		The Pre-cleaner

Pre-cleaner
This machine is used more to protect other machinery than used as a grader.
It takes out large impurities such as straw, sticks and stones, all of which have been known to arrive within parcels, even from approved suppliers.
Whilst the machine may not look very impressive, it is an integral part of our seed cleaning process. Four screens are joined together in a cylinder containing revolving beaters lined with lamb's wool. The seed is gently rubbed against the screens forming a cylinder, cracking any impure grains which are then discarded through the screen. The lamb's wool also gives a natural polish to the seed and during this process we do not use any additives. We do not use any oils at this stage of processing, nor is wax added as both these products can go rancid and cause harm to birds eating the seed.

Main Cleaner This photograph shows one of our main cleaners, which houses 7 screens. The individual seed parcel is graded through this machine, first passing over large screens, which remove the largest seeds & impurities, & then over small screens to remove the smaller seeds & impurities leaving a completely graded parcel to pass through the middle. Our experienced workers change the screens according to the actual size of the individual parcel, ensuring a consistent product. The screens are made in either slots or rounds according to seed type and shape.

Dust Extraction
We have a total of 5 separate dust extraction systems, which use air to blow out lightweight seed, chaff and dust.
Dust-relief valves are used at the intake of raw material, & during all the cleaning & mixing processes. Only after each individual parcel completed this thorough cleaning system, is it considered good enough to be included in a Johnston & Jeff mixture.

The Polisher		Dust Extraction