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Picking time is close how many trays do you have?
Getting your crop estimation correct is becoming vital for all sectors of the Kiwifruit industry. The marketing company needs accurate figures so they can develop market plans that will optimise returns. Supplier companies have to supply specified volumes negotiated with the Marketer by period. Packhouses & Coolstore operators need to organise labour materials and the hardware to pack the crop cost effectively. Growers and their bankers will also have more than a passing interest as well.
There are several possible methods. A few very experienced growers can get it close by eye using their onboard computer. The vast majority of growers need to adopt a system that has the following elements.
- Select a number of sample bays that represent the orchard
- Should include bays in all rows in proportion to the vines in each row in the orchard.
- Identify the bays so they can be used each year.
- Accurately count the equivalent bays for the whole orchard.
- Count all fruit in the sample bays.
- Assess the size profile by taking a fruit sample or using callipers.
- Determine the undersize percentage.
- Determine the average tray size.
- Assess the percentage of each grade.
- Calculate the trays per bay for each grade.
- Allow for smalls, the grade percentages and average count.
- Multiply the trays per bay by equivalent bays to get tray numbers for the orchard.
- A good estimation system will have updates through the season
- The system will also provide invaluable crop load management information.
To get it right consistently requires commitment of time and money over a number of seasons.
If all growers estimate correctly and consistently Marketers will maximise market returns, packhouses and coolstores will be more efficient and grower profits will increase.
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