Asparagus Research Selective Harvester - 2003
by Trent Ball*
Washington State University conducted a 2-week trial on a selective machine harvester during the asparagus harvest season. The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the machine harvester for potential application in Washington asparagus fields. Initial results suggest the machine has potential as a commercial harvester. The selective harvester is a prototype machine developed almost 20 years ago. Prior to running the trials, some of the machines electronics and pneumatic cylinders were updated. Although the machine has the capabilities to harvest three rows, for the purpose of the study only one header was used.
The selective harvester cut daily approximately 1-acre of asparagus during the trial. Random 50-foot plots were set up in the field prior to the machine cutting to identify the number of harvestable spears. After harvesting, the plots were assessed for damage, dropped spears, and harvested product; overall pounds harvested for the 1-acre trials was also collected. Preliminary results indicate the machine did minimal field damage and harvested 55-60% of the weight harvested by a hand crew. The harvester generated as high as 77% useable number one spears based on fresh market standards.
*Trent Ball is an Associate in Research, working with Dr. Ray Folwell, on the asparagus project. He recently, May 2003, did trials in the Columbia Basin, Washington to study the Selective Machine Harvester and its economic affects on the asparagus industry.
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