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Asparagus
Research
by Trent
Ball*
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The
Washington/Oregon asparagus industry has undergone significant adjustments
in recent years, including rising labor costs and competition from
foreign markets. Labor reduction, use of mechanical equipment, and
value added products are essential for its survival. Consequently,
grant money from the USDA is making research for asparagus industry
solutions possible. The projects under evaluation have already provided
prospective solutions to the problems the industry faces. |
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The
long term focus will be to research the feasibility of using various
production and processing facilities in a more efficient manner, evaluate
the feasibility of adopting new technologies, explore the possible
fuller utilization of current production, and solve or find solutions
to technical barriers which inhibit the overall competitiveness of
the industry. |
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A
field research project was conducted over the course of the 2001 harvest
season. Data was collected to develop parameters in creation of a
feasible mechanical harvester. Moreover, growth trials were done over
the second half of the harvesting season, which found that initial
length, air temperature and spear distribution have an effect on the
daily growth of the spears. Additionally, a trip to New Zealand was
organized to evaluate technological advances they have made in harvesting
and grading/sorting asparagus. A selective harvester was evaluated
based on the layout of the New Zealand asparagus fields, the labor
saving potential, and quality of the spears that are harvested. The
harvester uses a laser to identify a spear at a designated height.
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Mechanical
harvester cutter
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A
new demonstration machine for grading and sorting asparagus for
fresh packers was also showcased. The new techniques included color
cameras, 3-D measurement, improved tip maturity measurement, better
color determination, and various other features. Several sheds in
New Zealand were visited that used the current grader machines.
Initial results indicate that packing sheds using the grader/sorter
are 25% more efficient than the current methods used in Washington.
The machines reduce labor and increase productivity. If the new
grader machines in development can increase production further they
provide and opportunity for Washington packers to improve both in
efficiency and labor savings.
A
cost benefit analysis will be used to evaluate the current system
of packing fresh asparagus in Washington compared to a mechanical
approach. The estimated cost structures will be evaluated using
financial analysis tools such as cash flows, net present values,
and payback periods to demonstrate the economic incentives in the
adoption of alternative technologies. |
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Grader, above,
and Sorter, below.
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*Trent
Ball is an Associate in Research, working with Dr.
Ray Folwell, on the asparagus project. He recently, November 2001,
traveled to New Zealand to study the asparagus industry there.
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