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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #344659
Title: Blueberry producers' attitudes toward harvest mechanization for fresh market

Author
item GALLARDO, R. KARINA - Washington State University
item STAFNE, ERIC - Mississippi State University
item DEVETTER, LISA - Washington State University
item ZHANG, QI - Washington State University
item LI, CHARLIE - University Of Georgia
item Takeda, Fumiomi
item WILLIAMSON, JEFF - University Of Florida
item YANG, WEI - Oregon State University
item CLINE, WILLIAM - North Carolina State University
item BEAUDRY, RANDY - Michigan State University
item ALLEN, RENEE - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2017
Publication Date: 2/5/2018
Citation: Gallardo, R., Stafne, E.T., Devetter, L., Zhang, Q., Li, C., Takeda, F., Williamson, J., Yang, W., Cline, W., Beaudry, R., Allen, R. 2018. Blueberry producers' attitudes toward harvest mechanization for fresh market. HortTechnology. 28(1):10-16. https://doi.org/10.21273/horttech03872-17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/horttech03872-17

Interpretive Summary: The availability and cost of agricultural labor is constraining hand harvesting of specialty crops such as blueberries destined for the fresh market. Machine harvesting options are being explored out of necessity by blueberry growers, but the current available mechanical harvesting machines cause excessive amounts of damage. This study was conducted to determine acceptance of new technologies to improve harvesting and packing operation. The survey results indicated that about half of the respondents would be interested in using modified harvest aid platform and shaking devices if they would be economical and deliver high quality fruit. Also, many growers are open to exploring mechanization as a way to mitigate current labor constraints. These findings have been helpful for ARS scientists involved in the development of new blueberry harvesting technologies.

Technical Abstract: The availability and cost of agricultural labor is constraining the specialty crop industry throughout the United States. Most soft fruits destined for the fresh market are fragile and must be hand harvested to maintain optimal quality and postharvest longevity. However, due to labor shortages, machine harvest options are being explored out of necessity. A survey on machine harvest of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) was conducted in 2015 and 2016 in seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. Survey respondents totaled 223 blueberry growers of various production sizes and scope. A majority (61%) indicated that their berries were destined for fresh markets with 33% machine harvested for this purpose. Eighty percent said that they thought fruit quality was the limiting factor for machine harvested blueberries destined for fresh markets. Many producers had used mechanized harvesters, but their experience varied greatly. Less than half (47%) used mechanical harvesters for fewer than 5 years. Most respondents indicated that labor was a primary concern, as well as competing markets and weather. New technologies that reduce harvesting constraints, such as improvements to harvest machinery and packing lines, were of interest to most respondents. Forty-five percent stated they would be interested in using a modified harvest aid platform with hand-held shaking devices if it is viable (i.e., fruit quality and picking efficiency is maintained and the practice is cost effective). Overall, the survey showed that blueberry producers have great concerns with labor costs and availability, and would be open to exploring mechanization as a way to mitigate the need for hand harvest labor.