Stine® Seed Company offers some of the strongest genetics on the market and the industry’s most sought-after trait packages. But yield potential doesn’t stop in the bag. Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate in any given season, creating uncertainty around moisture levels and weed, insect and disease pressure. That’s why our research and agronomy teams work to replicate real-world field conditions within our breeding and testing programs while staying in tune with the latest ag innovations that can set our seed — and our grower customers — up for success.
“The Stine family has always been known for being innovative and being in the best position when the industry drives in certain ways,” says Tyler DuBay, soybean technical agronomist for Stine. “Our goal with testing new technologies is to understand how they interact within different management strategies and operations. That way, when growers implement these new technologies, we have data and experience to teach and partner with them.”
Different Technologies, Different Purposes
Previously, we explored how our research and agronomy teams leverage drone technology to support field scouting and product research. We also test crop inputs such as our lineup of Stine XP® seed treatments and biostimulants that can encourage a healthier start for the seed in the early stages after planting. New this year, we’re working with Michlig Ag Solutions to test its performance-driven biostimulant, Stine XP SureFlow.
Stine XP SureFlow is not an ordinary seed treatment; it’s a planter box lubricant that supports both equipment efficiency and early-season crop vigor.
“At its foundation, SureFlow combines talc and graphite to deliver consistent seed flow, improved meter lubrication and accurate placement at planting. But it goes well beyond mechanical performance.”
John King, president of Ankeny, Iowa-based Michlig Ag Solutions
According to King, Stine XP SureFlow integrates macro- and micronutrients to support early root development and uniform emergence. It also introduces humic and fulvic acids to enhance nutrient availability and soil interaction in the seed zone.
“The key differentiator of SureFlow is the inclusion of amino acids,” says King. “They serve as readily available building blocks for plant metabolism and early energy support during germination. The result is a well-rounded planter box product that not only protects planter components and improves flowability but also actively contributes to stronger early growth and improved return on potential for growers.”
Core Benefits To Growers
In addition to testing Stine XP SureFlow in our Product Development Plot (PDP) program this year, Stine is also working with Michlig Ag to test the product on select farmers’ fields.
“We’re working with growers across the country within thousands of acres this year to conduct side-by-side tests, planting blocks of treated versus untreated seed with the same hybrids,” says DuBay. “We think this is a very low-barrier-to-use product, so we’re excited to see how it performs in our plot program and on growers’ fields to provide added value to farmers moving forward.”
Ease of use
According to King, Stine XP SureFlow is designed to fit seamlessly into existing planting workflows, making it a simple and efficient product that won’t slow down planting.
“Ease of application was a top priority in the development of SureFlow,” he says. “The product is packaged in convenient, premeasured pouches designed specifically with growers in mind.”
For example, one pouch of Stine XP SureFlow can treat a full probox of soybeans. Two pouches can treat a probox of corn. The process is simple: just add the pouch(es) directly into the seed box at planting and go.
“This eliminates the guesswork and reduces the need for manual measuring or scooping at the planters,” adds King.
Additionally, the talc and graphite in the packet are designed to improve meter lubrication and mechanical efficiency, enhancing seed flow and placement accuracy.
Supporting early growth
Beyond optimizing lubrication and seed flow, King notes that Stine XP SureFlow provides a broad spectrum of agronomic benefits.
“It delivers a range of agronomically meaningful components designed to support early growth and vigor,” he notes.
Stine XP SureFlow incorporates a combination of organic acids and amino acids, which contribute to enhanced nutrient availability, stronger early metabolic activity and more uniform emergence.
“For growers, this means protecting yield potential from day one while making a practical, economically sound investment at planting."
John King, president of Ankeny, Iowa-based Michlig Ag Solutions
Looking Ahead
Stine looks forward to evaluating the results of Stine XP SureFlow and other crop technologies being integrated into our research and agronomy programs in 2026, along with the real-world performance seen on our growers’ operations. These insights will help guide how we refine our product offerings and management recommendations.
At every step, our focus remains on the farmer and prioritizing solutions that deliver proven performance, practical value and the best opportunities for growers to maximize yield potential in their fields.
To learn more about Stine’s PDP program and the technologies we’re testing in our field trials this year, reach out to your local Stine sales representative.