Total apple market:

Domestic USA Apple Production by State

Addressable Market

Some Solutions on the market (Feb 2023)

Key Opportunities

Harvesting Efficiency

Crop Management & Yield Mapping

Cost Reduction By Improved Tech

Data Collection And Analysis

Integration With Other Technologies

1. Automation and robotics in the cultivation of pome fruit: Where do we stand today?
2. Standards for Apples Marketed within Washington State
3. Robot Ready Canopies
4. US Apple Annual Review

In order to understand the challenges that farmers face, it is essential to understand standard horticultural practices and grower metrics.

Apple Orchard Trellis

An apple orchard trellis is a structure designed to support apple trees as they grow and bear fruit. It consists of a series of posts, wires, and other materials that are arranged in a specific pattern to maximize the growth and productivity of the apple trees.

The main purpose of an apple orchard trellis is to provide support for the weight of the apple tree branches and fruit. This helps to prevent the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit and also makes it easier for farmers to harvest the apples.

There are several different types of apple orchard trellises, but the most common is the T-trellis. This trellis consists of two main components: the end post and the fruiting wire. The end post is typically made of treated wood or metal and is set in the ground at the end of each row of trees. The fruiting wire is then strung between the end posts at a height of about 8 to 10 feet above the ground.

Along the fruiting wire, additional support wires or strings are strung in a horizontal pattern, with each string spaced about 12 to 16 inches apart. The apple tree branches are then trained to grow along these support wires, which helps to distribute the weight of the fruit and keep the branches from breaking.

In addition to providing support for the apple trees, an orchard trellis can also help to improve the quality of the fruit. By training the branches to grow along the support wires, farmers can create a more open canopy that allows for better light penetration and air flow, which can lead to more even ripening and improved fruit quality.

Overall, an apple orchard trellis is an essential component of modern apple farming, helping to improve productivity, reduce fruit damage, and increase fruit quality.

[Source 1 - Penn State Extension] [Source 2 - Cornell Horticulture] [Source 3 - Ontario Apple Growers]

Other types of Trellises to look into are V trellis systems and Angled trellis systems which might create a new engineering dynamic.

Vertical vs Angled end-of-row anchor systems:

• End of row anchor systems keep rows stabilized in one direction allowing the trellis to be supported.
• Most Common are an Angle Brace:

• And H-Brace:

[Page 8 - Best Management Practices for Building Trellis Support Systems]

Additional resources:

• How trellises are transforming Washington’s Apple Orchards
• Ontario Apple Growers- Growing Apples on a Trellis 2015
• Field Notes from Mike Van Pelt (apple grower in WA)

• A club variety are known as such because some varieties are “club” or “proprietary” varieties. They are patented and trademarked and sold exclusively by specific companies.
• Mostly a production and marketing concept - only producers who aquire a license are allowed to sell club apple varieties under the brand name. Where the license fee is typically used to finance the R&D and marketing behind the corresponding club apple. [Source]
• There is some concern in the industry about the increasing popularity of managed varieties and concentration of control with larger growers, but there’s no denying that public funding for apple breeding is shrinking. At the same time, breeders and growers have to keep pace with changing consumer tastes.
• Pink Lady, an Australian apple, was the first club variety to have a trademarked name where growers must have a license to grow, pack and market the fruit, and to date has been the most successful, according to Kemp (Ontario Apple Farmer) [Source]

Next, it’s important to understand the basic economics of apple production

• 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

• 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. [Source] [Source - Stemilit)
• 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. [Source]
• 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. More on platforms from Penn State Extension
• 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 in Washington state. The differences between plastic vs wood, costs, and dimensions to consider.
Apple Bins-compressed.pdf1882.6KB

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.

• To find a solution, this paper addresses current as well as future automation possibilities for the main orchard tasks as a profitable alternative to human labor.
• This paper contains 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.

Multifunctional Robot Roadmap - Washington Tree Fruit Research

Pests and Diseases

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. [Source - WSU Tree Fruit]
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.. [Source - WSU Tree Fruit]
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. [Source - OMAFRA]

Climate Change and Weather Impacting Apple Farmers

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.

Podcasts

• Voices of the Valley
• Do you want to be on the cutting edge of the latest agtech trends? Or be the first to hear about a hot, new agtech startup? Or know the ins and outs of the latest and greatest technologies in agriculture? The Voices of the Valley Podcast has you covered! Join agtech experts Dennis Donohue (aka “the godfather of agtech”) and Candace Wilson as they interview leading entrepreneurs, innovative farmers and industry analysts to pull back the curtain on all things agriculture and technology.
• Link to podcast: here.
• Future of Agriculture
• This show explores the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of the agriculture industry. Every week, Tim Hammerich talks to the farmers, founders, innovators and investors to share stories of agtech, sustainability, resiliency and the future of food. We believe innovation is an important part of the future of agriculture, and real change comes from collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs and farmers. Lead with optimism, but also bring data! This show explores the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of the agriculture industry. Every week, Tim Hammerich talks to the farmers, founders, innovators and investors to share stories of agtech, sustainability, resiliency and the future of food.
• Link to podcast: here.

Videos

1. Modern agriculture to harvest apples🍎🍎

Articles

• 2022 Apple Annual Review by the usapple.org
• Robot Ready Canpoies - With labor at harvest a major challenge to the global tree fruit industry, robotic harvesters are close to hitting the orchard.

Blogs

• Walt Duflock’s Blog - Blog by Walt Duflock, who is the VP of Innovation at Western Growers Association, a 5th-generation family farm, and 25 years at high-growth SV startups
• Agriculture is for the People - Newsletter by Connie Bowen, partner at Farmhand Ventures

Funding Opportunities

• Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission RFP Page - WTFRC issues annual RFPs that include access to researchers, agronomists, growers, and funding.
• Farmhand Ventures Application