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2. Blueberry producers' attitudes towards harvest mechanization for fresh market
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Gallardo, Karina R. (author), Stafne, Eric T. (author), Devetter, Lisa Wasko (author), Zhang, Qi (author), Li, Charlie (author), Takeda, Fumiomi (author), Williamson, Jeffrey (author), Yang, Wei Qiang (author), Cline, William O. (author), Beaudry, Randy (author), Allen, Renee (author), and Washington State University Mississippi State University University of Georgia University of Florida Oregon State University Michigan State University
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2018-02
- Published:
- United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 11 Document Number: D10337
- Journal Title:
- HortTechnology
- Journal Title Details:
- 28(1) : 10-16
- Notes:
- 7 pages., Via online journal., 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 are usually hand harvested to maintain optimal quality and postharvest longevity. However, because of labor shortages, machine harvest options are being explored out of necessity. A survey on machine harvest of blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) for fresh market was conducted in 2015 and 2016 in seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. Survey respondents totaled 223 blueberry producers 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. Just 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 handheld 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 are open to exploring mechanization as a way to mitigate the need for hand-harvest labor.
3. Communication and capacity building to advance adaptation strategies in agriculture in the context of climate change in India
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Balaji, Venkataraman (author), Ganapuram, Sreedhar (author), and Devakumar, C. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2015-07
- Published:
- India
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 157 Document Number: D07527
- Journal Title:
- Decision
- Journal Title Details:
- 42 (2): 147-158
4. Factors affecting farmers' hedging decisions
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Brorsen, B. Wade (author), Shapiro, B.I. (author), and Purdue University
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 1988-07
- Published:
- USA: Columbus, OH : Ohio State University.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 85 Document Number: C05559
- Journal Title:
- North Central Journal of Agricultural Economics
- Journal Title Details:
- 10 (2) : 145-153.
- Notes:
- AGRICOLA IND 88053739