Talc/Graphite What is the Perfect Ratio?

The perfect balance, talc to graphite. How do you know what’s the right mixture? When should you use talc? When should you use graphite? When should you mix the two? These are very common questions. We should first break down what each product does to answer these questions.

What is Talc/Graphite

Talc is a drying agent used to absorb moisture. When added to the seed, it prevents the seeds from clumping together, this is especially important when working with seed that has a sticky seed treatment. Insecticide and fungicide coatings are hygroscopic, which means they easily absorb moisture, causing them to become sticky.  Any amount of moisture in the air, like dew or humidity, can cause the surface of the seed to become rough and sticky. Talc helps to smooth out the surface of the seed, allowing it to flow through the planter without clumping.

Graphite is a dry lubricant. When working with planters’, graphite can reduce wear and lubricate movement, without gumming up your equipment the way oily lubricant would. In planters with finger-style seed meters, graphite will help reduce friction and increases the component’s life span.

So why blend the two? When the air is dry, you may be dealing with extra static electricity. When it is even the slightest bit humid, you will deal with clumping due to the high airflow moving through the planter. As the seed travels through the seed transfer tubes and other components of the planter, it can cling to the surfaces and cause clogs. Talc and graphite both have anti-static characteristics. Talc serves as an insulator, reducing the buildup and transfer of static electricity. Graphite serves as a conductor, clinging to the components of the planter to help ground any static electricity that may develop.

Ratio

Now that we know how it works, what is the magic number? Any time you are planting, graphite is a must-use product, talc, on the other hand, isn’t always required unless you are in an environment with extra moisture or a sticky coating like mentioned above. When needed, 80/20 talc to graphite has been proven to control static and remove moisture in air planters. That being said, the key to applying the appropriate amount of talc and graphite depends on the product and the kind of planter you are using. Excess graphite can cause issues with skips and dirty the seed tube sensors, reducing the monitoring precision. Excess talc on the other hand will only harm the farmer’s wallet.

Choose your graphite amount based on the planter you are using, weather conditions, and the type of seed coating. Finger pickup seed meter manufacturers recommend starting with 1 – 2 tablespoons of graphite per bushel of corn. Air planter manufacturers recommend starting with half a cup of talc per bushel, adjusting based on humidity and seed coating. To avoid wasting product and issues with clumping or static, ensure the talc and graphite are properly mixed with the seed, coating each seed rather than sitting at the top of the seed hopper.

Who can you contact if you still aren’t sure what ratio to use?

First, check the user manual for your planter. Contact your dealership if you are still having trouble figuring out how much to use or can’t find your manual. We would be more than happy to look us the manual for your planter and assist you in figuring out the right ratio that will work best for you and your equipment. 

If you still have not bought your Talc and Graphite stop into any of our locations to pick some up.

Brands we carry

• Case/CNH
• Form Talc
• Precision Planting
• Kinze

A lot of brands sell an 80/20 mix, making it easier to accurately meet that ratio. However, we recommend keeping some straight talc and graphite on hand as well in case you need to adjust your ratio based on the environmental conditions and condition of your seed.