viable, new technology is needed to improve harvesting efficiency and make it economically feasible for blueberry producers to adopt. To elicit producer attitudes toward mechanized harvest for fresh-market blueberry, a survey was conducted over 2 years
maintain and harvest their labor-intensive chile crops. Following the termination of the Bracero Program in 1964, chile producers and processors intensified efforts to mechanize field operations. The first documented trial of mechanical chile harvest was
Abstract
This article projects the conditions under which the iceberg lettuce industry would make the transition to a mechanized harvest system and the social consequences of such a transition. Impediments to labor supply and increased production costs could spur a transition to mechanization. In addition to impacts on the character of the labor force and the impacts upon the communities surrounding lettuce production areas, labor force displacement could be as high as 87%.
Abstract
No one knows when mechanization of fruit harvest began in the United States. It is documented, however, that machine patents were approved for a fruit gatherer in 1899 (9), a mechanical tree shaker in 1927 (1) and a collecting unit similar to today’s models in 1931 (24).
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess likely impacts of mechanization of lettuce harvest on farm workers. Two machine-harvest systems were selected to represent mechanization of both the regular and wrap pack. Commercial returns in the form of cost savings over the hand systems were estimated for the regular pack and for the wrap pack. As an illustration, a low rate of adoption of the machines was assumed, i.e., 5% adoption starting in 1980, followed by an increase to 25% from 1985 on.
The impact on harvest jobs, for the example, was estimated at 1.56% reduction at 5% machine adoption and 7.80% reduction at 25% adoption. New positions created were estimated to be equal or higher in skill requirements than those replaced. The work environment was considered to be less arduous and more conducive to increased worker longevity on the job, plus opening certain positions to older men and women.
Discounted total returns over time to public and private research expenditures were estimated to be high. External effects of mechanization may be greatest in job transitions of displaced workers.
Hand-harvesting fruit crops is labor-intensive, and the supply of dependable, skilled labor is a concern of the fruit industry. Only a small portion of all fruit crops is harvested mechanically, primarily for processing. Public funding of mechanical harvesting research on fruit crops has reached a low level. However, there is renewed interest in mechanical harvesting research due to the potential scarcity of hand-harvest labor and new federal laws that may deplete further the labor pool. Much of the research expertise in mechanical harvesting of fruit crops has been lost, since most projects have been discontinued. Considerable lead time will be required to develop facilities, personnel, and projects if the decision is made to initiate publicly funded harvest mechanization research. More time will be required before commercially acceptable techniques and methods will be available. A majority of the research described in this paper was conducted outside the United States. The United States will not remain competitive in the world market for fruit crops with the present lack of mechanical harvesting research.
Abstract
Simulation modeling techniques were used to determine the influence of precipitation during the harvest season on the economic feasibility of harvest mechanization for tomatoes on 3 soil types. Harvest mechanization was impeded on clay loam and silt loam soils at average precipitation levels during the harvest season due to wet soils and less than potential economic returns were realized. Only sandy loam soils consistently permitted full realization of the economic benefits that accrue from harvest mechanization.
Abstract
I welcome this opportunity to discuss this topic but would preface the discussion by giving some information as to how far along we are in vegetable mechanization. We shall be talking primarily about mechanization at harvest because with all vegetables there is mechanized planting and subsequent culture, but with various degrees of precision, depending upon the crop and its environment
Abstract
Harvest mechanization of fruit and vegetable crops is projected to increase slightly by 1990, mostly for processing crops. The pace of harvest mechanization may be slowed in the future due to a number of factors, including high capital investment and interest costs, and a plentiful farm labor supply. An upward trend is projected for harvest labor, reflecting anticipated production increases which raise labor requirements higher than the decreases from harvest mechanization. Harvest labor needs are concentrated among a few regions, especially the Pacific Region. Four fruit and 5 vegetable crops employ a great majority of harvest workers. The upward trend in demand for harvest workers represents a departure from the past downward total labor trend.
Abstract
A completely mechanized system for production, harvesting and handling strawberries (Fragaria × anassa Duch.) for processing is described. Pre-harvest cultural factors, including bed preparation, plant population, harvest date and clonal evaluation and adaptability to mechanical harvesting, were studied for 4 years. ‘Cardinal’, ‘Earlibelle’, and Arkansas breeding line A-5344 were well suited for once-over mechanical harvesting under Arkansas conditions considering yield, quality, and organoleptic evaluation. Plant population densities in the matted row system used in this study generally had little effect on yield or quality, unless a clone was of low vigor and poor runner plant producer. As harvest date was delayed, quality and useable yield often decreased. However, a minimum of a 6 day harvest period for mechanical harvesting existed for the cultivars tested. The results of this study indicate that once-over mechanical harvesting of strawberries is feasible when the proper cultivar is grown on properly shaped beds with good cultural practices and adequate postharvest handling procedures.