Polymer Coatings Help No-Till Farmers Maximize Seed Efficiency

Innovative seed coating technology allows no-tillers to plant any size or shape seed without planter adjustments.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:58am

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a group of glossy, reflective polymer-coated seeds arranged in an elegant composition on a clean white background, symbolizing the innovative technology that can boost no-till farming productivity.Polymer seed coatings offer no-till farmers a versatile solution to maximize planting efficiency and reduce input costs.Platte City Today

No-till farmers can boost their seeding efficiencies and reduce costs by using polymer seed coatings that allow them to plant a wider variety of seed sizes and shapes without having to make adjustments to their no-till planter meters, according to Chuck Fulk of Fulk Agri Systems. The coatings can also be used to add starter fertilizer or pesticides directly to the seed for faster plant growth and protection.

Why it matters

With some key hybrids only available in smaller seed sizes due to drought concerns, polymer seed coatings provide no-tillers a way to utilize this discounted seed without having to recalibrate their planters. The coatings also enable no-tillers to cover more acres in less time by allowing them to plant a wider range of seed types with the same equipment.

The details

Fulk says the polymer coatings allow no-till farmers to plant flat or round seed of any size using the same planter seed meter, rather than having to adjust the meter for different seed shapes and sizes. The coatings can also be used to add starter fertilizer or pesticides directly to the seed, giving plants a faster start and added protection. This opens up opportunities for no-tillers to use discounted seed that may be off-spec in size or shape, reducing their input costs.

  • The polymer seed coating technology was discussed at a recent conference hosted by Fulk Agri Systems in Platte City, Missouri.

The players

Chuck Fulk

The owner of Fulk Agri Systems, a company that hosted a conference where the polymer seed coating technology was discussed.

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What they’re saying

“You could also add starter fertilizer directly to the seed for faster plant growth and even add pesticides. You could buy seed that has been discounted because of improper shape or size and add a polymer coating for lower-cost seeding. In other words, it's a way of making the seed fit the no-till planter meter rather than the other way around.”

— Chuck Fulk, Owner, Fulk Agri Systems

What’s next

Farmers interested in using polymer seed coatings will need to connect with their local seed suppliers to see what options are available for the upcoming planting season.

The takeaway

Innovative seed coating technology is empowering no-till farmers to maximize the efficiency of their planting operations by allowing them to use a wider variety of seed types without having to constantly adjust their equipment. This can lead to significant cost savings and productivity gains.