harvester
Grower spending on automation jumps to $500K
Growers are spending an average of $500,000 a year on automation in response to the persistent ag labor shortage, according to the Specialty Crop Automation Report from Western Growers. This is the second year the Specialty... more »
John Deere introduces tractors for orchards, vineyards
John Deere is widening its lineup of specialty tractors designed for work in narrow orchards and vineyards with the addition of the new 5EN and 5ML Series. The popular 5EN from the past is back... more »
Company unifies all brands under Oxbo
Netherlands-based Ploeger Oxbo Group has unified all of its brands under the Oxbo brand. The equipment company had sold its products under the Oxbo, Ploeger, Bourgoin and FMC brands. Unifying under the Oxbo brand name will... more »
Canopy preparation helps robotic apple harvester
Visitors to the trade show floor at the annual meeting of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association in Kennewick saw multiple robotics companies. Robots are often pitched as the wave of the future; however, one... more »
MSU apple harvesting/sorting system evolving
Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) say they remain on track in developing an in-orchard harvesting aid/ sorting machine that could prove to be significantly lower in cost than other existing systems. Renfu Lu, research... more »
Engineers work on better blueberry picker
Industrial engineers from Penn State are part of a nine-university, four-year, $4.75 million collaborative research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on increasing the efficiency of blueberry production in the United... more »
Over-the-row harvester can work with high-density tart cherries
Michigan State University (MSU) researchers have been working on an evolving technology since 2008, which is leading to a new method of harvesting tart cherries planted in high-density systems. Ron Perry, a professor of horticulture,... more »