Apples

The apple harvesting process is ripe for automation, and there are several solutions available for growers to choose from. While current solutions are effective, there are still several key opportunities for improvement, including harvesting efficiency, crop management, cost reduction, data collection and analysis, and integration with other technologies. By continuing to invest in these areas, growers can improve the quality and yield of their fruit while reducing labor costs and staying competitive in an increasingly challenging market.

Existing Technology Solutions

Automated apple harvesting is an area of intense development, with a variety of innovative solutions available on the market today. These range from robotic arms that can pick and sort apples to autonomous vehicles that can navigate orchards and harvest fruit. Key players in this space include Advanced Farm, Ripe Robotics, FFR Robotics and the status quo- harvesting platforms. While current solutions are effective, there is still room for improvement in terms of harvesting efficiency, crop management, cost reduction, data collection and analysis, and integration with other technologies. By continuing to invest in these areas, growers can improve the quality and yield of their fruit while reducing labor costs and staying competitive in an increasingly challenging market.

• Interview with Keith Veselka.
• Owner and partner at NWFM, established in 2018, is a locally owned, full-service farm investment and property management company. Combined, owners Keith Veselka and Greg Newman bring over 40 years of crop production experience unique to the Pacific Northwest. With a mindset of “we farm it like we own it”, the NWFM team has the ability to couple seasoned farm management and cooperative buying power with boutique hometown service that allows for unmatched nimbleness in business. A hands-on approach for the day-to-day logistics on ranches managed by NWFM provides real-time reporting and transparency with all clients. Collaborative efforts between leadership make sure all efforts focus back to their core values of profitable and regenerative agriculture.

Interview here: https://www.agtechtoolkit.com/?msopen=/content/interview-with-keith-veselka/inline

• Interview with Jeff Cleveringa.
• Jeff has served on the Board of Directors for the Good Fruit Grower magazine and is past President of the Board of Directors for the Washington State Horticulture Association. He currently serves as a commissioner for the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission, WSU sweet cherry breeding program, and the WSU apple breeding program

Interview here: https://www.agtechtoolkit.com/?msopen=/content/interview-with-jeff-cleveringa/inline

• Interview with Ines and Mark Hanarahan.
• Ines Hanrahan, Ph.D., has served as Executive Director of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) since August 17, 2018. She has been with the Commission since 2005. Ines was the Commission’s project manager prior to becoming Executive Director. Dr. Hanrahan provides administrative leadership to the organization, oversight of the WTFRC staff, and contributes to strategic planning for the WTFRC. Mark is an apple and cherry grower in Washington.

Interview here: https://www.agtechtoolkit.com/?msopen=/content/interview-with-ines-and-mark-hanrahan/inline

There is clearly a role for harvest mechanization and/or automation to address this challenge. Technologists designing for this problem should consider:

• Proper row-spacing: Apple trees must be spaced a certain distance apart to ensure that the trees are able to receive adequate sun and airflow.
• Trellis and tree architecture: See How do robots deal with posts, wires, branches that obstruct vision? Some trees branch in chaotic ways, others have fairly regular growth - how can a robot be designed to handle the full spectrum of tree architecture? [See above for more info on trellis systems]
• Fruit transport: After apples are picked they either go to the packing line and a grocery store or to a Controlled Atmosphere storage room. Most apples are shipped in fiberboard boxes, loose-packed, on molded trays, or in polyethylene bags. To help protect a shipment from extreme weather situations, boxes should be stacked tightly together, in an offset pattern to reduce contact with floors and walls.
• Stem punctures: This is where a stem or twig end has punctured the skin of an adjacent fruit, fairly recently. Usually the causal projection is obvious when the fruit is still on the tree. A WSU Tree Fruit study concluded that stem clipping can significantly reduce total cullage by a couple basis points.
• Pick rate requirements: Harvesting apples requires a certain number of picks per hour to ensure efficient and profitable operations. The general rule of thumb has been that it should take 2 seconds to pick 1 apple, but as labor shortages and costs increase, this rate is getting more competitive. Workers on platforms with conveyor belts can pick much faster than this - up to 3-4 apples every 2 seconds.
• Platforms: Platforms are used today in many apple orchards to enable people to harvest apples more efficiently and safely. Robotics companies must consider the platform+people competition factor.
• Weather considerations: Apple trees must be protected from extreme temperatures, heavy rain and winds, and hail.
• Ruggedness: Apple orchards are often located in rugged terrain and require equipment and machinery that can withstand such conditions.
• Services: In most cases, farmers rely on mechanics on-site and do not have access to electronic/robotic engineers.
• Language barriers: Crews often do not speak English fluently, and may not be able to read or write.
• Connectivity: High speed internet and high bandwidth cellular services are far from a given in rural areas.
• Washington Apple Bins: Box sizes can vary from region to region. The differences between plastic vs wood, costs, and dimensions to consider.
Apple Bins-compressed.pdf1882.6KB
• There are both current as well as future automation possibilities for the main orchard tasks as a profitable alternative to human labor.
• Find an overall review of the research and developments that have been performed to automate each major activity (e.g., pruning, thinning, spraying, harvesting and mobile navigating) in the cultivation of pome fruit.

Benefits of Automation vs Manual labor:

1. Increased efficiency: Automated apple harvesters could potentially pick apples for longer periods of time and more consistently than manual labor, increasing the overall efficiency of the harvest process.
2. Reduced labor costs: Automation solves a critical challenge in the ag labor industry, and allows farms and farmers to fill a gap that already exists between labor we need and labor that is available.
3. Improved working conditions: Automated apple harvesters can reduce the physical strain and repetitive motions associated with manual apple picking, leading to improved working conditions for employees and potentially reducing the risk of injury.
4. Consistent quality: Automated apple harvesters can pick apples more consistently than manual labor, leading to improved quality control and a higher-quality product for consumers and an ability to pick on an exact color line (rather than relying on hundreds of different human eyes) AND the potential for in-field defect sorting which might reduce grower costs by increasing take rate by the processor.
5. Increased reliability: Automated apple harvesters can operate 24/7, rain or shine, and are less likely to miss a harvest due to illness or other absences, increasing the reliability of the harvest process.

Multifunctional Robot Roadmap - Washington Tree Fruit Research

This roadmap discusses the importance of the tree fruit industry in Washington State and the challenges it faces in terms of labor-related risks and increasing costs of production. It outlines the potential benefits of creating a multifunctional robot for harvest automation, crop load management, pruning, tree training, insect and disease scouting, and precision agriculture

Pests and diseases are major challenges for apple farmers, and there are a number of common pests and diseases that can cause significant damage to apple crops if not properly monitored and managed. The top five pests and diseases that apple farmers must fight include:

1. Apple Scab - Apple scab is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis that affects the leaves, fruit, and twigs of apple trees. It can cause leaves to become discolored, shriveled, and deformed as well as cause premature fruit drop. Apple scab can be managed through chemical and biological control measures, such as pruning and fungicide applications.
2. Fire Blight - Fire blight is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora which is spread by irrigation, dew, and rain. It can cause flowers and branches to quickly become brown and shriveled, and can spread to entire trees if left untreated. Fire blight can be managed with pruning, chemical applications, and biological control measures. Out of control blight is the biggest existential threat to an apple orchard and can require an entire orchard be ripped out.
3. Codling Moth - Codling moth is a common pest that can cause significant damage to apple crops. It is caused by the larvae of the codling moth when they feed on the fruit (Cydia pomonella) and can cause damage to the fruit. Codling moth can be managed through chemical and biological control measures, such as pheromone traps, insecticides, and beneficial predators. Mating disruption (via pheromone dispensers) is the preferred way to manage codling moth.
4. Apple Mildew - Apple mildew is a fungal disease caused by Podosphaera leucotricha that affects apple trees, leading to a powdery white or grayish coating on leaves, buds, and fruit. It causes leaves to turn yellow and fruit to become discolored and distorted, leading to reduced yields and decreased fruit quality. Early detection, pruning, thinning, and fungicide applications are necessary to manage the disease and prevent its spread, making it a serious threat to apple orchards that requires proactive management to ensure healthy and productive trees.
5. Mites - Mites are small arthropods that can cause damage to apple crops. They can cause damage to the fruit and leaves tree, as well as reduce yields and cause premature fruit drop. Mites can be managed through chemical and biological control measures, such as dusting with sulfur, insecticides, and beneficial predators.

If these pests and diseases are not managed properly, the outcome can be devastating for apple farmers. Damage to the fruit, leaves, and twigs can cause reduced yields, premature fruit drop, and even the death of trees. In order to protect their crops, apple farmers must be prepared to fight these pests and diseases.

Climate change and weather are having a significant impact on apple farmers both domestically and globally. Here are five reasons why:

“From late-spring frosts in western Michigan to triple-digit heat in the Pacific Northwest, apple growers saw a nearly 19% drop in fresh-market apple holdings in June 2021 compared with June 2020, according to recent production statistics released by the Agriculture Department.”

1. Shorter/Longer Growing Seasons - Warmer temperatures are leading to earlier springs and later falls, which creates a longer growing season, at least in Washington. The earlier springs lead to prolonged frost protection windows, which results in an increase in expenses that isn’t necessarily accompanied by an increase in production. Similarly, late falls and late frosts can result in bud/flower die off that impacts that subsequent seasons’ yields.
2. Heat Stress - Extreme heat events are causing heat stress in apple trees, leading to decreased photosynthesis, reduced productivity, and even death of trees. The primary concern for the apple industry is around pack out and fruit quality (sunburn, color degradation, etc.)
3. Water Availability - Warmer temperatures and more frequent and intense droughts are leading to decreased water availability, which can cause trees to suffer from water stress and lead to reduced yields.
4. Pest and Disease - Warmer temperatures are leading to increased pest and disease pressure, which can cause decreased pack out (increased disease and lower fruit quality), decreased yields and even the death of trees.
5. Extreme Weather Events - Extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and hail, are causing damage to orchards and leading to decreased yields and increased costs for farmers.

The effects of climate change and weather on apple farmers can be devastating and can lead to lost income and even the loss of entire orchards. It is essential that apple farmers are aware of the risks and are prepared to mitigate them.